Pharmacokinetics of tertiary butyl alcohol in male and female Fischer 344 rats

Tertiary butyl alcohol (TEA) is a small aliphatic alcohol with multiple industrial and scientific uses. A comprehensive pharmacokinetic profile for TEA has not been determined in rats. The purpose of this study was to fully characterize the pharmacokinetics of TEA. in male and female F-344 rats following intravenous administration of 37.5, 75, 150 and 300 mg/kg TEA. TEA was observed to undergo a rapid distribution phase followed by a slower elimination phase. The steady-state volume of distribution for TBA was roughly 4.5 times greater than total body water, and the clearance was lower than the estimated glomerular filtration rate. The elimination of TEA appears to saturate at higher doses, as evidenced by a disproportional increase in area under the concentration-time curve and decreased rate of clearance. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.