Pharmacokinetics of tolamolol in the treatment of hypertension.

Tolamolol was administered in a "double-blind" study to fifteen hypertensive patients by dose-titration against arterial blood pressure. Mean steady-state plasma tolamolol concentrations (Css) were determined for each patient from the area under the plasma concentration--time curve during a dosage interval whilst patients were receiving optimal tolamolol doses. No significant correlation was observed between daily tolamolol dose and Css; the relationship between fall in lying mean arterial pressure and Css also failed to reach conventional levels of statistical significance, but Css was observed to be correlated with the fall in standing pressure. The results suggest that plasma concentrations in excess of 200 ng/ml may be required to achieve an effective hypothensive response with the drug.