Studies on the metabolism and the toxicological analysis of the nootropic drug fipexide in rat urine using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Qualitative studies are described on the metabolism and the toxicological analysis of the nootropic fipexide (FIP) in rat urine using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). FIP was extensively metabolized to 1-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl)piperazine (MDBP), 4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid, 1-[2-(4-chlorophenoxy)acetyl]piperazine, N-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzyl)piperazine, piperazine, N-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzyl)ethylenediamine, and N-[2-(4-chlorophenoxy)acetyl]ethylenediamine. The authors' systematic toxicological analysis (STA) procedure using full-scan GC-MS after acid hydrolysis of one urine aliquot, liquid-liquid extraction and acetylation allowed the detection of FIP via its metabolites in rat urine after administration of a common FIP dose. Therefore, this qualitative procedure should also be suitable for detection of a FIP intake in human urine. Differentiation of an intake of FIP from that of other drugs which form common metabolites is discussed. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.