Pharmacokinetics of esmolol in hepatic disease.

Esmolol is an intravenous beta blocker with a short duration of action. The pharmacokinetics of esmolol and its acid metabolite, ASL-8123, were studied in nine patients who had stable, biopsy-proved Laennec's cirrhosis and in three normal volunteer controls. Kinetics were determined after a four-hour continuous infusion of esmolol at a rate of 200 micrograms/kg/min. Blood samples were collected during the infusions and at frequent intervals thereafter. The parameters studied were the steady state concentration, the total body clearance, the elimination half-life, the area under the curve, and the volume of distribution. No significant differences in any of these parameters were detected between control subjects and those with hepatic disease, for either esmolol or its acid metabolite. It is concluded from this study that Laennec's cirrhosis does not cause any change in the pharmacokinetics of esmolol or its major metabolite. Therefore, adjustments in dosage of esmolol are not required for patients with Laennec's cirrhosis.