The table below shows the pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties of beta-blockers. We have also compiled another table on the potency of beta-blockers compared to propranolol.
Beta-Blockers | Cardioselective / Beta-1 Selective | ISA (Intrinsic Sympathomimetic Activity) / PAA (Partial Agonist Activity) | Lipid Solubility | Alpha Blockade | Elimination Half Life (hours) | Route of Elimination |
Acebutolol | Yes | + | Low – Moderate | No | 3-4 (Acebutolol), 8-13 (Diacetolol) | Hepatic, Renal |
Atenolol | Yes | – | Low | No | 6-7 | Renal |
Bisoprolol | Yes | – | Moderate | No | 10-12 | Hepatic, Renal |
Carvedilol | No | – | High | Yes | 6-10 | Hepatic |
Celiprolol | Yes | + | Low | No | 5-6 | Renal |
Metoprolol | Yes | – | Moderate | No | 3-7 | Hepatic |
Nadolol | No | – | Low | No | 20-24 | Renal |
Nebivolol | Yes | – | High | No | 10 (in fast metabolisers, but 3-5 times longer in slow metabolisers) | Hepatic |
Oxprenolol | No | ++ | Moderate | No | 1-2 | Hepatic |
Pindolol | No | +++ | Moderate | No | 3-4 | Hepatic, Renal |
Propranolol | No | – | High | No | 3-6 | Hepatic |
Sotalol | No | – | Low | No | 10-20 | Renal |
References:
1. Accord Healthcare Ltd. Atenolol 100mg tablets – Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/25739 [Accessed on 17/04/19].
2. Accord Healthcare Ltd. Bisoprolol 2.5mg film coated tablets – Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/25983 [Accessed on 17/04/19].
3. Accord Healthcare Ltd. Propranolol 40 mg film-coated tablets – Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/27274 [Accessed on 17/04/19].
4. Accord Healthcare Ltd. Sotalol hydrochloride 160 mg tablets – Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/25989 [Accessed on 17/04/19].
5. Accord-UK Ltd. Nebivolol 5 mg tablets – Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5828/smpc [Accessed on 17/04/19].
6. Amdipharm Mercury Company Ltd. Oxprenolol 40 mg tablets – Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/27985 [Accessed on 17/04/19].
7. Aurobindo Pharma – Milpharm Ltd. Carvedilol 12.5 mg film-coated tablets – Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/27714 [Accessed on 17/04/19].
8. Aurobindo Pharma – Milpharm Ltd. Metoprolol tartrate 50 mg film-coated tablets – Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/28460 [Accessed on 17/04/19].
9. Dery AS, Hamilton LA, Starr JA. Nebivolol for the treatment of heart failure. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2011;68(10):879-886.
10. Generics UK T/A Mylan. Pindolol tablets 5mg – Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/8834 [Accessed on 17/04/19].
11. Hawkins NM, Petrie MC, Macdonald MR, et al. Heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: The quandary of beta-blockers and beta-agonists. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2011;57(21):2127-2138.
12. Lechat P. Clinical pharmacology of beta-blockers in cardiology: Trial results and clinical applications. Hot topics in Cardiology. 2008;10(1):7-44.
13. Lopez-Sendon J, Swedberg K, McMurray J, et al. Expert consensus document on beta-adrenergic receptor blockers. Eur Heart J. 2004;25(15):1341–1362.
14. Morrow DA, Boden WE. Stable ischemic heart disease. In: Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P, Bonow RO, editors. Braunwald’s Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:1196-1200.
15. Sanofi. Celectol 200mg tablets – Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/9241/smpc [Accessed on 17/04/19].
16. Sanofi. Corgard tablets 80mg – Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/12767
[Accessed on 17/04/19].
17. Sanofi. Sectral 100mg capsules – Summary of Product Characteristics. Available at: http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/27926 [Accessed on 17/04/19].
18. Sweetman SC, editor. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference. 37th ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press; 2011.