Epicainide

Metabolic pathway

In rats, two phenyl rings linked to the quaternary carbon atom of epicainide undergo metabolic attack by the mono-oxygenases. The hydroxylation and subsequent methylation of one of the hydroxy groups in the phenyl rings are predominant degradation reactions of epicainide. In contrast, the phenyl rings of epicainide remain unchanged in man. The degradation reaction mainly occurs in the ethylpyrrolidine ring, resulting in N-deethylation, subsequent oxidation of the pyrrolidine moiety, and reduction or hydrolysis of the amide function of epicainide.