Toxicity studies of amphetamine sulfate, ampicillin trihydrate, codeine, 8-methoxypsoralen, α-methyldopa, penicillin VK and propantheline bromide in rats and mice

Abstract

Thirteen-week toxicity studies in F344/N rats and B6C3F 1 mice were conducted to determine general toxicity and target organ toxicity with amphetamine sulfate, ampicillin trihydrate, codeine, 8-methooxypsoralen, α-methyldopa sesquihydrate, penicillin VK, and propantheline bromide. This paper discusses the toxicity observed; use of the toxicity data to set dose levels for subsequent 2-year studies; and comparison of dose levels administered to rodents with doses used in the treatment of human disease. Drugs were administered orally in the feed or by gavage. The lowest doses in the 13-week studies were comparable to therapeutic doses in man on a mg/m 2 (body surface area) basis or 5–10 times doses used in man on a mg/kg body weight basis. Little toxicity was seen at the low dose level with ampicillin, penicillin VK, 8-methoxypsoralen or propantheline bromide. At higher doses, target organ toxicity seen included the urinary bladder in male rats after propantheline bromide; the glandular stomach in rats and mice after penicillin VK; the liver and adrenals in rats after 8-methoxypsoralen; and the kidney in mice and rats after α-methyldopa. After amphetamine, codeine, or ampicillin administration, no target organ toxicity was seen in rats or mice, even at doses which caused body weight gain depression. The high doses chosen for subsequent 2-year studies were within 10 times human dose levels when compared on a mg/m 2 body surface area.