Pharmacokinetics of atenolol in relation to renal function

Abstract
Summary The pharmacokinetics of atenolol were determined following acute intravenous and chronic oral administration to 20 subjects with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) between 5 and 113 ml/min. Plasma levels in a further 5 patients on haemodialysis were measured after intravenous treatment. The mean half life of elimination increased from 5.9 h in patients with normal renal function to 42.1 h in preuraemic patients (GFR 30 ml/min the normal daily dose of atenolol should be employed, in patients with a GFR between 10 and 30 ml/min the dose should be reduced by half, and in patients with a GFR <10 ml/min a reduction by three quarters of the normal dose is recommended.