The racemic compound carvedilol is a multiple-action oral antihypertensive drug that exhibits both vasodilator and non-selective beta-adrenergic blocking activities. The effects of the levorotatory S-enantiomer [S(-)-CARV] are vasodilatation and beta-blockade. The R(+)-enantiomer [R(+)-CARV] is a pure vasodilating agent. Quantitative determination of the enantiomers in human plasma by HPLC was carried out after formation of diastereoisomers with the chiral reagent 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl isothiocyanate (GITC). The pharmacokinetics of the enantiomers were studied following i.v. (12.5 mg in 1 h) and p.o. (50 mg) administration of racemic carvedilol in ten healthy male subjects according to a randomized crossover design. The AUCs of S(-)-CARV were significantly lower than those of R(+)-CARV after both i.v. and p.o. administration. The systemic clearance of the two enantiomers was significantly different, whereas half-lives and apparent distribution volumes were comparable. Following p.o. administration, the absolute bioavailability (31.1% and 15.1%, respectively) and maximal plasma concentrations of R(+)-CARV were twice those of S(-)-CARV. A similar difference was found in the half-lives. A close correlation existed between enantiomeric ratios after i.v. and after p.o. administration, demonstrating slight intraindividual variability. The preferential systemic clearance of the S(-)-enantiomer suggests stereoselective hepatic metabolism of carvedilol, becoming especially apparent after p.o. administration. The small intrasubject variability in enantiomer ratios indicates a relatively constant relation of beta-blockade to vasodilation during chronic treatment.

No abstract

The pharmacokinetics and absolute bioavailability of carvedilol have been studied in 20 male healthy volunteers in a randomised 4-period, cross-over trial. Carvedilol 12.5 mg was given i.v., 50 mg was administered p.o. as a suspension and 25 and 50 mg were given in a capsule formulation. For the 50 mg capsule Cmax was 66 micrograms.l-1, tmax 1.2 h, t1/2 6.4 h. The t1/2 after i.v. administration was 2.4 h, CL 589 ml/min and VZ 132 l. The absolute bioavailability was 24% (50 mg capsule). The kinetics after the 25 and 50 mg capsules were consistent with dose linearity.

The metabolism of carvedilol was investigated in plasma and urine of 3 healthy male volunteers after administration of 50 mg of [14C]-labelled drug. Rapid and extensive biotransformation occurred. After 1.5 h 9% of total radioactivity in plasma consisted of unchanged drug, 22% of carvedilol-glucuronide and another 20% of oxidative cleavage products of the beta-blocking side chain. Urinary excretion of radioactivity amounted to 16% of which 2% represented unchanged drug, 32% carvedilol-glucuronide and about 25% side chain oxidation products. Ring-hydroxylated metabolites of carvedilol accounted for 18% of the radioactive compounds in the urine.

No abstract