Metabolism of arildone, an antiviral agent, in laboratory animals.

After arildone administration, four compounds were identified in the excreta of laboratory animals: unchanged drug, arildone; the O-desmethyl metabolite, 4-[6-(2-chloro-4-hydroxy)phenoxy]hexyl-3,5-heptanedione; the sulfate ester of 2-chloro-4-methoxyphenol; and a labile conjugate of chlorohydroquinone, tentatively characterized as the sulfate ester. The concentrations of each of these were determined in the urine and/or plasma of rats, dogs, and mice after administration of 14C-arildone.