Metabolism and Excretion of [14C] Febuxostat, a Novel Nonpurine Selective Inhibitor of Xanthine Oxidase, in Healthy Male Subjects

Absorption, metabolism, and excretion of one 80 mg oral dose of [C-14] febuxostat ([thiazole-4-C-14] 2-[3-cyano-4-isobutoxyphenyl]-4-methyl-5-thiazolecarboxylic acid) were studied in 6 healthy subjects. Mean cumulative recoveiy in excreta was 94% (49% urine and 45% feces) of the dose over 9 days; 87% of the dose was profiled. Seventeen radioactive peaks were observed in urine and fecal chromatograms. Unchanged febuxostat contributed to a combined total in excreta of 10% to 18% of the dose, indicating that it was extensively metabolized and well absorbed. Metabolites were 67M-1 (10%) and 67M-2 (11%) hydroxylated febuxostat, febuxostat acyl-glucuronide (30%), 67M-4 di-carboxylic acid (14%), 67M-1 sulfate conjugate (3%), and dehydrated 67M-1/67M-2 acyl-glucuronide (0.5%). Febuxostat and these metabolites accounted for 82% of profiled dose; unidentified peaks individually contributed <1.3% of the dose. Febuxostat and total radioactivity plasma C-max values were observed at 0.5 hour postdose, suggesting that febuxostat was quickly absorbed. At 4 hours postdose, plasma chromatographic profiles contained 6 peaks: febuxostat (85%), 67M-1 (4%), 67M-2 (5%), febuxostat acyl-glucuronide (4%), 67M-4 (1%), and 67M-1 sulfate (0.5%). Compared to total radioactivity, febuxostat accounted for 94% at C-max and 83% of the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) values. Based on the whole blood to plasma total radioactivity, little radioactivity was associated with red blood cells.