Absorption, distribution, and metabolic fate of 7-chloro-3,3a-dihydro-2-methyl-2H,9H-isoxazolo-(3,2-b)(1,3)-benzoxazin-9-one in rats, dogs, and humans.

The absorption and metabolic fate of 7-chloro-3,3a-dihydro-2-methyl-2H,9H-isoxazolo-(3,2-b)(1,3)-benzoxazin-9-one (I) was studied in rats, dogs, and humans. Orally administered I was readily absorbed by all species. In the rat, orally administered I was converted to its metabolite, 5-chlorosalicylic acid, by the intestinal wall. The half-lives of blood radioactivity, after the oral administration of I-9-14C, were about 18 and 12 hr in the rat and beagle hound, respectively. In human subjects, no intact I was detected in the bloodstream; however, the clearance of the metabolite, 5-chlorosalicylic acid, had a half-life of about 33 hr. Cleavage of the oxazine ring of I generated 5-chlorosalicylic acid, which was excreted both in the free form and conjugated with glycine and glucuronic acid. The isoxazole moiety was converted to beta-hydroxybutyric acid and its metabolites carbon dioxide and fumaric, citric, alpha-ketoglutaric, succinic, and malic acids. Binding of I to plasma proteins was extensive but was less than that of 5-chlorosalicylic acid.