Urine pH and phencyclidine excretion

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Toxicology
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Phencyclidine (PCP) is a dissociative anesthetic with significant abuse potential.
• Understanding PCP pharmacokinetics is crucial for managing intoxication.
• Previous studies suggest urine pH influences PCP excretion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of urine pH on phencyclidine (PCP) pharmacokinetics.
• To determine the routes of PCP and metabolite excretion.
• To evaluate the impact of physical exercise on PCP plasma levels and excretion.

Main Methods:

• Intravenous administration of subeffective doses of 3H-phencyclidine (PCP) to healthy male subjects.
• Urine alkalinization (sodium bicarbonate) and acidification (ammonium chloride) regimens.
• High-performance liquid radiochromatography for quantifying PCP and metabolites in saliva, plasma, urine, and perspiration.
• Analysis of physical exercise effects on PCP plasma concentration and urinary excretion.

Main Results:

• Logarithm of renal clearance was significantly correlated with urine pH.
• PCP and its metabolites are excreted in urine, saliva, plasma, and perspiration.
• Physical exercise influenced plasma PCP concentrations and urinary excretion.

Conclusions:

• Urine pH is a critical factor in phencyclidine (PCP) elimination.
• Alkalinizing the urine promotes PCP excretion, supporting its use in intoxication management.
• Perspiration represents an additional route for PCP and metabolite excretion.