Haemodynamic effects and pharmacokinetics of oral d- and l-nebivolol in hypertensive patients.
OBJECTIVE
Nebivolol is a selective beta 1-adrenergic receptor blocker possessing an ancillary vasodilating effect. The objective of the present study was to study the haemodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of nebivolol 5 mg once daily in a double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study.


METHODS
Fifteen patients, 12 men and 3 women, with essential hypertension were investigated. Blood pressure and peripheral circulation were determined after acute oral nebivolol administration, 5 mg daily, and after 4 weeks treatment.


RESULTS
The acute effect on blood pressure upon single-dosing was weak and non-significant. After 4 weeks both systolic blood pressure (152 vs 163 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (89 vs 97 mmHg) were significantly reduced after nebivolol treatment as compared to placebo. Following the first dose the venous volume was higher on placebo (5.88 ml.100 ml-1 tissue) as compared to active nebivolol treatment (5.17 ml.100 ml-1 tissue), while there were no statistically significant differences with regard to venous plethysmographic findings after 1 month on placebo (5.53 ml.100 ml-1 tissue) or on active treatment (5.97 ml.100 ml-1 tissue). Calculated peripheral resistance did not differ between active treatment (617 units) or placebo (548 units) after the first dose, whereas it was significantly lowered after 4 weeks of nebivolol treatment (483 units) as compared to placebo (593 units).


CONCLUSIONS
Oral nebivolol 5 mg once daily lowered blood pressure and heart rate during steady state compared to placebo. Moreover, venous volume was reduced during acute but not steady-state dosing, while peripheral resistance was unaffected in the acute phase but reduced during steady state. Plasma concentrations of the separate enantiomers plus hydroxylated metabolites after the first and last dose in hypertensive patients were similar to those in healthy subjects.
Himmelmann
A
A
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
Hedner
T
T
Snoeck
E
E
Lundgren
B
B
Hedner
J
J
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000068577:Nebivolol; D013237:Stereoisomerism
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001578:Benzopyrans; D004983:Ethanolamines; D000068577:Nebivolol