Investigation of possible polymorphic drug oxidation in black South Africans

The ability to oxidize phenacetin into paracetamol was investigated in 117 healthy South African black subjects. Statistical analysis of the amount of paracetamol excreted in the 0-8-hour urine sample revealed a normal distribution (P less than 0,05). There was thus no evidence of polymorphism; the subjects appeared to be exclusively monomorphic extensive metabolizers.