Enhanced antipyrine metabolism in cigarette smokers in Indian population.

A single oral dose of mg/kg body weight of antipyrine was administered to 10 chronic cigarette smokers and to 9 appropriate control healthy volunteers. Plasma antipyrine half-life (t 1/2 beta) was shortened significantly (p < 0.05) in cigarette smokers as compared to the non-smokers control group. Antipyrine was cleared from the blood faster in cigarette smokers, with a mean increase in metabolic clearance rate from 0.637 ml/min/kg in nonsmokers to 0.831 ml/min/kg in cigarette smokers. Concern as to enhanced metabolism of other drugs is probably warranted in cigarette smokers.