[Spectrofluorimetric estimation in biological fluids of a new beta-blockader: atenolol. Application to its pharmacokinetic study (author's transl)].

The authors describe a simple method of fluorimetric estimation of atenolol, applicable to blood and urine, sufficiently sensitive to permit a pharmacokinetic study. After administration of a dose of 200 mg by the oral route to hypertensive subjects, one may observe a maximal plasma concentration 3 hours after the dose average value 3.91 +/- 0.71 mumol/l (1.04 +/- 0.19 mg/l). The apparent half life of elimination of phase beta is 14.1 +/- 4.9 h, values comparable with those calculated from urinary data 14.6 +/- 2.0 h. The renal clearance was 140 +/- 32 ml/min; 54 +/- 14% of the administered dose are excreted in the urine. After administration by the venous route, urinary excretion represents 96% of the dose administered.