Influences of the calcium antagonists nicardipine and nifedipine, and the calcium agonist BAY-K-8644, on the pharmacokinetics of propranolol in rats.

To determine the effect of dihydropyridines on the metabolism of propranolol, we studied the effects of a single oral dose of nicardipine, nifedipine, and BAY-K-8644 on the pharmacokinetics of propranolol in male Wistar rats fitted with a catheter in the jugularis vein. Oral propranolol (15 mg/kg and 1.5 mg/kg) and intravenous propranolol (1.5 mg/kg) were administered either alone or together with oral nicardipine (2.5 mg/kg). Oral propranolol (15 mg/kg) was administered with oral nifedipine (1.5 mg/kg) and with oral BAY-K-8644 (1.5 mg/kg). Nicardipine increased significantly the AUC and Cmax of oral propranolol (1.5 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg). However, the plasma concentration time curve of intravenous propranolol (1.5 mg/kg) was unaffected. Nifedipine also significantly increased the AUC and Cmax of oral propranolol (15 mg/kg), whereas with BAY-K-8644 there was only a slight increase in the bioavailability of oral propranolol (15 mg/kg). The results indicate that the dihydropyridine calcium antagonists decrease the metabolism of propranolol as a result of a decrease in first-pass clearance. Although an interaction at the level of cytochrome P450 may also be involved, the results of the present study suggest that the inhibitory effect can be largely attributed to changes in liver blood flow.