The pharmacokinetics of d-sotalol and d,l-sotalol in healthy volunteers.

The pharmacokinetics of d-sotalol has been studied in six healthy volunteers given single doses of 0.25, 0.50, 1, 2 mg.kg-1 i.v. and one 100 mg oral dose in comparison with the kinetics of 1 mg.kg-1 i.v. of dl-sotalol. There was no significant difference in the disposition of the d-enantiomer and the racemate. The terminal half-life averaged 7.2 h, and the kinetics was linear, with a mean total clearance of 0.13 l.h-1.kg-1. Renal clearance of d-sotalol represented 56 to 77% of total clearance. The absolute systemic availability of oral d-sotalol was close to 100% and the elimination half-life of the oral-d-enantiomer was similar to that of the i.v. form (7.5 h).