Variability of beta-blocker pharmacokinetics in young volunteers

Abstract

Plasma concentrations of metoprolol, propranolol oxprenolol, acebutolol and its metabolite diacetolol were measured after single oral doses in young healthy volunteers. In order to assess the inter-and intra-subject variability the following pharmacokinetic parameters were compared: AUC _o ²⁴ , C_max, t_max and t_1/2. The smallest variation in inter-subject variability was seen with oxprenolol and acebutolol: intrasubject variability was more uniform. Female volunteers taking an oral contraceptive generally had higher AUC _o ²⁴ and C_max values than those not. This finding reached statistical significance only for metoprolol AUC _o ²⁴ .