The fate of [14C]disodium cromoglycate in man

The fate of [14C]disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) has been examined in 12 asthmatic patients. Maximum plasma concentrations (mean 9.2 ng/ml) were obtained within 15 min of inhaling DSCG (20 mg) and the average plasma half-life was 81 min. Although absorption from the lung is rapid, most of the inhaled dose is swallowed. Only 2.0% of the dose was excreted in the urine, and 84% was recovered from the faeces. DSCG is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, only 0.4 % of an oral dose (20 mg) appeared in the 24 h urine and 83 % was recovered from the faeces. Intravenous administration of DSCG resulted in approximately equal amounts (30–50% of dose) being excreted via the urine and faeces. No metabolites of DSCG were detected chromatographically.