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Pharmacokinetics of Esmolol in Hepatic Disease
Author(s) -
Buchi Kenneth N.,
Rollins Douglas E.,
Tolman Keith G.,
Achari Ramanuj,
Drissel Debra,
Hulse James D.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
the journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.92
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1552-4604
pISSN - 0091-2700
DOI - 10.1002/j.1552-4604.1987.tb05583.x
Subject(s) - esmolol , pharmacokinetics , cirrhosis , metabolite , medicine , volunteer , volume of distribution , active metabolite , pharmacology , anesthesia , heart rate , blood pressure , agronomy , biology
Esmolol is an intravenous beta blocker with a short duration of action. The pharmacokinetics of esmolol and its acid metabolite, ASL‐8123, were studied in nine patients who had stable, biopsy‐proved Laennec's cirrhosis and in three normal volunteer controls. Kinetics were determined after a four‐hour continuous infusion of esmolol at a rate of 200 μg/kg/min. Blood samples were collected during the infusions and at frequent intervals thereafter. The parameters studied were the steady state concentration, the total body clearance, the elimination half‐life, the area under the curve, and the volume of distribution. No significant differences in any of these parameters were detected between control subjects and those with hepatic disease, for either esmolol or its acid metabolite. It is concluded from this study that Laennec's cirrhosis does not cause any change in the pharmacokinetics of esmolol or its major metabolite. Therefore, adjustments in dosage of esmolol are not required for patients with Laennec's cirrhosis.