Pharmacokinetics of dilevalol in normotensive and hypertensive volunteers.

Dilevalol is a novel antihypertensive agent combining vasodilation due to selective beta 2-adrenergic receptor agonism with nonspecific antagonism of beta 1- and beta 2-adrenergic receptors. Studies of dilevalol's pharmacokinetics in normotensive and hypertensive volunteers have demonstrated that (1) it is rapidly and well absorbed; (2) because of extensive first-pass metabolism its absolute oral bioavailability is about 12%; (3) its mean elimination half-life is 8 to 12 hours after administration of single oral or intravenous doses to normal volunteers, a value consistent with once-daily dosing; and (4) food does not appear to alter its bioavailability or pharmacokinetics.