Half life of metoprolol tartrate
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Half-Life of Metoprolol Tartrate: A Comprehensive Overview
Introduction to Metoprolol Tartrate
Metoprolol tartrate is a selective beta1-adrenergic antagonist commonly used to treat cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, angina pectoris, arrhythmias, and myocardial infarction. It is known for its cardioselective properties and is widely prescribed due to its efficacy in managing these conditions .
Pharmacokinetics of Metoprolol Tartrate
Elimination Half-Life in Different Populations
The elimination half-life of metoprolol tartrate varies depending on the population and the method of administration. In healthy individuals, the half-life ranges from 3 to 5 hours. This is consistent across various studies, including those focusing on different formulations and routes of administration .
In patients with impaired renal function, the half-life of metoprolol tartrate is slightly prolonged. For instance, in patients with renal impairment, the elimination half-life was found to be approximately 4.6 ± 1.2 hours compared to 4.1 ± 1.0 hours in healthy subjects. This indicates that renal function can influence the pharmacokinetics of metoprolol, although the effect is not substantial enough to necessitate major dosage adjustments in most cases .
Impact of Formulation on Half-Life
Different formulations of metoprolol tartrate can also affect its pharmacokinetics. For example, slow-release (SR) tablets have been shown to reduce peak plasma levels and delay the time to reach peak concentration compared to ordinary tablets. However, the elimination half-life remains consistent at around 4.0 ± 0.6 hours for the ordinary tablet. This suggests that while the formulation can influence the absorption and peak concentration, the elimination half-life remains relatively stable.
Special Cases: Horses and Transdermal Patches
Interestingly, studies on non-human subjects such as horses have shown a much shorter elimination half-life. In horses, the half-life of metoprolol tartrate was found to be approximately 21.1 minutes. This significant difference highlights the species-specific pharmacokinetics of the drug.
Transdermal patches of metoprolol tartrate have also been developed to address the short half-life and frequent dosing requirements. These patches aim to provide a more consistent release of the drug over a 24-hour period, potentially improving patient compliance and therapeutic outcomes.
Conclusion
The elimination half-life of metoprolol tartrate is generally between 3 to 5 hours in healthy individuals, with slight variations observed in patients with renal impairment and different formulations. Understanding these variations is crucial for optimizing dosing regimens and improving therapeutic outcomes. Further research into alternative delivery methods, such as transdermal patches, continues to offer promising avenues for enhancing the efficacy and convenience of metoprolol tartrate therapy.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic