Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: BREVIBLOC DOUBLE STRENGTH IN PLASTIC CONTAINER versus LOPRESSOR HCT.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: BREVIBLOC DOUBLE STRENGTH IN PLASTIC CONTAINER versus LOPRESSOR HCT.
BREVIBLOC DOUBLE STRENGTH IN PLASTIC CONTAINER vs LOPRESSOR HCT
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Selective beta-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist; reduces heart rate, myocardial contractility, and blood pressure by blocking catecholamine effects at beta-1 receptors.
LOPRESSOR HCT is a combination of metoprolol tartrate (a beta-1 selective adrenergic receptor blocker) and hydrochlorothiazide (a thiazide diuretic). Metoprolol reduces heart rate, myocardial contractility, and blood pressure by blocking beta-1 receptors in the heart. Hydrochlorothiazide increases sodium and water excretion by inhibiting the Na+/Cl- symporter in the distal convoluted tubule of the kidney, reducing plasma volume.
Intravenous: For stable patients, an initial loading dose of 500 mcg/kg/min over 1 minute followed by a maintenance infusion of 50 mcg/kg/min for 4 minutes; if response is inadequate, increase maintenance infusion to 100 mcg/kg/min and repeat loading dose after 10 minutes. Titrate in 50 mcg/kg/min increments up to 200 mcg/kg/min. For intraoperative and postoperative use, see full prescribing information.
1-2 tablets (each containing metoprolol tartrate 50 mg and hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg) orally once daily, maximum 4 tablets daily.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life is approximately 9 minutes (range 8–10 minutes). Clinically, the half-life is consistent with rapid offset of effect upon discontinuation; steady state is achieved within 30 minutes of continuous infusion.
Metoprolol: 3-7 hours (terminal half-life); extensive metabolizers (CYP2D6) ~3-4 h, poor metabolizers ~7-8 h. Hydrochlorothiazide: 6-15 hours (terminal half-life).
Primarily metabolized by red blood cell esterases; <1% excreted unchanged in urine. Elimination is not dependent on renal or hepatic function.
Metoprolol: <5% unchanged in urine; rest metabolized in liver (CYP2D6) and excreted renally as metabolites. Hydrochlorothiazide: >95% excreted unchanged in urine within 24 hours via tubular secretion.
Category C
Category C
Beta-Blocker
Beta-Blocker/Thiazide Diuretic Combination