[Perhexilline maleate: relationship between side-effects, plasma concentrations and rate of metabolism (author's...

In three individuals (2 male and 1 female) with severe side-effects apparently related to the regular ingestion for a period of at least 5 months of perhexiline maleate, the authors studied the rate of fall in plasma levels of the drug, of its monohydroxylated metabolite, blood transaminase and glucose levels following the interruption of therapy. The relationship between these data would indicate two hypotheses which could be tested during future studies: the manner in which the body metabolises the drug would appear to vary in relation to plasma concentration and/or hepatic involvement.