beta-Adrenoceptor blocking effects and pharmacokinetics of pindolol. A study in hypertensive Africans

The beta-adrenoceptor blocking effects of pindolol were compared with those of a placebo in a double-blind trial in twelve hypertensive Africans. Heart rate and arterial blood pressure were measured at rest and immediately after exercise, before and at intervals up to 8 h after oral administration of the drugs. Plasma levels of pindolol were also determined. Pindolol reduced systolic blood pressure and antagonised exercised-induced tachycardia. The mean time to peak level of pindolol was 1.9 h and the mean half-life was 4.2 h. Comparison of plasma levels of pindolol and beta-adrenoceptor blocking activity showed good correlation between them. It is concluded that the pharmacokinetics and beta-blocking effects of pindolol in Africans are not dissimilar from published data for other races.