Pharmacokinetics of ketanserin in man

Summary

Kinetic data for the new antihypertensive agent ketanserin were determined in six healthy subjects after single oral (40 mg) or intravenous (0.15 mg/kg) doses. Plasma protein binding was 94.0±1.8% (mean±SD). Cumulative urinary excretion of unchanged drug was less than 4% within 48 h following the single dose. The maximal plasma level (c_max) of 193±98.2 µg/l occured within 0.5 to 4.0 h after oral intake. The ketanserin plasma level declined biexponentially after oral administration, and triexponentially over the 36 h following intravenous injection. The terminal elimination half-life (term. t_1/2) averaged 12.4±2.9 h and 12.8±4.8 h following oral and intravenous application, respectively. Total plasma clearance was 410±62.0 (i.v.) and 829±228 ml/min (p.o.) and the intravenous blood clearance averaged 602±91 ml/min, which indicates partly flowdependent hepatic elimination. A substantial first-pass effect led to a bioavailability of about 50% (range: 27–69%). Hepatic clearance of ketanserin followed the non-restrictive pattern. No change in blood pressure or heart rate was observed following ketanserin administration to normal volunteers.