TY - JOUR T1 - DISPOSITION OF THALIDOMIDE IN RABBITS AND RATS JF - Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics JO - J Pharmacol Exp Ther SP - 201 LP - 211 VL - 160 IS - 1 AU - Herbert Schumacher AU - David A. Blake AU - James R. Gillette Y1 - 1968/03/01 UR - http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/160/1/201.abstract N2 - The rates of absorption, metabolism and excretion of thalidomide were compared in rabbits and rats. The half-life of the drug was virtually the same (2-3 hr) in rats, rabbits and pH 7.4 buffer. The absorption of orally administered thalidomide was more rapid in rabbits than in rats and the time-course for the elimination of metabolites was different in the two species. Although thalidomide is metabolized mainly by spontaneous hydrolysis in various tissues, the rate of breakdown is considerably greater in rabbit liver. Evidence is presented indicating that thalidomide in both species becomes bound to tissue components, possibly by covalent bonds. © 1968 by The Williams & Wilkins Company ER -