Pharmacokinetics in man of acebutolol and hydrochlorothiazide as single agents and in combination

The pharmacokinetics of acebutolol and hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) alone or in combination were studied in 12 healthy subjects in a cross over study. Acebutolol and diacetolol (the main metabolite) in plasma and urine were determined by HPLC and hydrochlorothiazide by GLC. The main pharmacokinetic parameters of acebutolol did not differ significantly: AUC 4492 +/- 272 micrograms l-1h given alone versus 4118 +/- 354 micrograms l-1h with HCT, half-life (7,69 +/- 0,32 h vs 8,10 +/- 0,72 h) and renal clearance (13,1 +/- 0,5 lh-1 vs 13,8 +/- 0,9 lh-1), respectively. There was no difference in diacetolol pharmacokinetics. HCT values were not significantly different: AUC 784 +/- 48 micrograms l-1h given alone and 720 +/- 42 micrograms l-1h with acebutolol, t 1/2 (4,79 +/- 0,37 h vs 4,73 +/- 0,43 h). The renal clearance was slightly higher when HCT was given with acebutolol (26,2 +/- 2,6 vs 20,3 +/- 2,1 lh-1, p less than 0,05). This increase, observed during the first four hours, was probably due to competition between the drugs for binding to red blood cells.