1 The pharmacokinetic properties of intravenous fenoldopam, a selective dopamine1-receptor agonist, were studied in 10 patients with essential hypertension. 2 Reduction in blood pressure was linearly related to the log fenoldopam plasma concentration (r = 0.69) and the log fenoldopam infusion rate (r = 0.71). 3 The mean elimination half-life (± s. e. mean) was 9.8 ± 1.0 min. The total body clearance was 30.3 ± 2.3 ml kg-1 min-' and the volume of distribution was 582 ± 62 ml kg-'. 4 The rapid onset of action, short elimination half-life, linear dose-response relationship, and ease of administration suggest that fenoldopam may have a role where parenteral treatment of hypertension is required.

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