Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of atenolol in children.

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intravenous atenolol were studied in 10 children during cardiac electrophysiologic studies. The intravenous pharmacokinetic data were best described by a two-compartment model and revealed the following (mean +/- SD): total body clearance, 0.15 +/- 0.06 L/hr/kg; volume of the central compartment 0.33 +/- 0.06 L/kg; volume of distribution at steady state, 0.83 +/- 0.15 L/kg; distributive elimination half-life, 0.29 +/- 0.08 hour; and terminal elimination half-life, 4.56 +/- 1.05 hours. The data suggest that children have a slightly shorter terminal elimination half-life than that of adults. Pharmacodynamic data showed a significantly (p less than 0.01) increased sinus cycle length and an increase in His to ventricle conduction time (p less than 0.05). Further studies are necessary to determine the optimal oral dose and dosing frequency of atenolol and to access the response of children to long-term treatment.