Improvement of the absorption of oral (R,S)-9-[4-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)butyl]guanine, an anti-varicella-zoster virus drug, in rats and monkeys.

In an effort to improve the gastrointestinal absorption of (R,S)-9-[4-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)butyl]guanine [(+/-)2HM-HBG], various salts and esters of the compound were synthesized and pharmacokinetic experiments were performed in rats and monkeys. The sodium or hydrochloride salts and short-chain esters of (+/-)2HM-HBG showed bioavailability characteristics that were equally as poor as those of (+/-)2HM-HBG. However, the esters given as salts tended to be better absorbed than the parent compound. The 6-deoxy and 6-deoxydiacetate analogs were extensively oxidized in vivo and represent prodrugs with considerable potential in improving the absorption of oral (+/-)2HM-HBG.