Propranolol does not alter flutoprazepam kinetics and metabolism in the rat.

I Conti, S Sarati, S Caccia

Index: Eur. J. Drug Metab. Pharmacokinet. 16(1) , 53-8, (1991)

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Abstract

The influence of propranolol on the disposition of flutoprazepam, a benzodiazepine derivative extensively biotransformed by hepatic microsomal oxidation, was evaluated in the rat. Propranolol was infused subcutaneously with osmotic minipumps (5 mg/day) to obtain steady-state concentrations of about 200 ng/ml. Flutoprazepam (5 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally on the third day of propranolol infusion. There was some variability in flutoprazepam disposition, consistent with the concept of an extensive first-pass metabolism of high-extraction drugs. Propranolol had no significant effects on the kinetics of flutoprazepam or norflutoprazepam, an active metabolite possibly accounting for a substantial part of the parent compound's pharmacological and clinical effects. It was concluded that there is no evidence of any pharmacokinetic interaction between this beta-adrenoceptor blocker and flutoprazepam in the rat.