Contrasts between pindolol and propranolol concentration-response relationships

Abstract

The plasma concentration-response relationships of oral and intravenous pindolol and propranolol have been studied in a group of eight healthy male subjects who received each dosage form in a randomized single-blind cross-over manner. Despite similar elimination half-lives, the duration of action of pindolol was longer than that of propranolol. This longer duration of action was associated with a flatter concentration-response curve for pindolol and may be related to the partial agonist activity of pindolol. Propranolol concentration-response curves were dependent on the route of drug administration whereas pindolol curves were similar following oral and intravenous routes of administration.