Displacement from protein binding of sulphormethoxine by phenylbutazone using in vivo dialysis in rats.

1. Displacement of the ultra-long-acting sulphonamide sulphormethoxine from binding to serum proteins by phenylbutazone has been demonstrated by in vivo dialysis in rats. The technique used involved the introduction of dialysis sacs into the peritoneal cavity. The regression line relating free to total sulphormethoxine was significantly displaced after addition of phenylbutazone to the regime although the mean level of free drug was not significantly raised. No significant effect was observed on the proportion of phenylbutazone in the free form. The range of concentrations employed corresponded to that encountered clinically.2. In vitro experiments with comparable concentrations of both drugs confirmed displacement of sulphormethoxine by phenylbutazone. Insignificant displacement of phenylbutazone from binding occurred. These experiments indicated the relationships between the relative affinities of sulphormethoxine and phenylbutazone for serum proteins and the extent to which mutual displacement from binding occurred.