Fate of dimethylamine in rat and mouse

1. [U-14C]-dimethylamine hydrochloride was administered by gavage (20 mumol/kg body weight) to adult male Wistar rat and CD1 strain mouse. 2. In both species, urine was the main route of excretion with the majority of radiolabel (91%) being voided during the first day. Additional small amounts of radioactivity were detected in the 24-72 h urine (2%), in faeces (2%) and amidst exhaled air (1%), with minor amounts remaining within the carcass (1%) after 3 days. 3. Metabolism was limited to demethylation, with the majority of the compound (89% dose; 96% urinary radioactivity) being excreted unchanged.