title: Nifedipine pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics during the immediate postpartum period in patients with preeclampsia.
abstract: Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters of oral nifedipine were studied in the immediate postpartum period in eight women with preeclampsia. Peak serum concentrations of 18 +/- 2.1 micrograms/L occurred 40 minutes after ingestion of nifedipine (10 mg). The terminal elimination half-life (mean = 1.35 +/- 0.3 hours) was found to be shorter than that reported for normotensive volunteers or nonpregnant hypertensive women (mean, 3.4 +/- 0.4 hours). A mean apparent oral elimination clearance of 3.3 +/- 1.3 L/hr/kg was more rapid than that found in normal volunteers (mean, 0.49 +/- 0.09 L/hr/kg) or in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension in the third trimester (mean, 2.0 +/- 0.8 L/hr/kg). Initial nadirs in mean arterial pressure were noted at 50 minutes after ingestion of nifedipine, with an average reduction in mean arterial pressure of 13.8 mm Hg. A dosing interval of every 3 to 4 hours is suggested when rapid-release nifedipine is used in the postpartum patient with preeclampsia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tennessee, Memphis.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Barton
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Prevost
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Whybrew
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Sibai
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000378:metabolism*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy
chemical_list: D009543:Nifedipine