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Controlled Release Metoprolol

Clinical Pharmacokinetic and Therapeutic Implications

  • Review Article
  • Drug Disposition
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An Erratum to this article was published on 01 February 1992

Summary

Metoprolol is a relatively β 1-selective β-blocker used extensively to treat hypertension and angina and as a prophylaxis after myocardial infarction. Conventional formulations are usually administered twice daily and the drug has a tendency to lose its selectivity of action at higher plasma concentrations. Two controlled release formulations, metoprolol CR and metoprolol ‘Oros’, have made it possible to achieve sustained β 1-blockade over an entire 24h period and to minimise the loss of selectivity associated with higher plasma concentrations. The CR formulation has been extensively investigated and is the major subject of this review. The ‘Oros’ formulation is pharmaceutically different from the CR, yet both produce similar plasma concentration profiles and comparable β 1-blocking effects. The availability of these preparations occurs at a time when increasingly persuasive data are becoming available on the cardioprotective or coronary preventive action of metoprolol.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, B15 2TH, England

    Martin John Kendall, Simon R. J. Maxwell, Anders Sandberg & Gudrun Westergren

  2. Departments of Pharmaceutical Research and Development and Cardiovascular, Clinical Research Astra Hässle AB, Mölndal, Sweden

    Martin John Kendall, Simon R. J. Maxwell, Anders Sandberg & Gudrun Westergren

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  1. Martin John Kendall
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  2. Simon R. J. Maxwell
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An erratum to this article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF03259523.

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Kendall, M.J., Maxwell, S.R.J., Sandberg, A. et al. Controlled Release Metoprolol. Clin. Pharmacokinet. 21, 319–330 (1991). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003088-199121050-00001

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