Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of intravenous fenoldopam, a dopamine1‐receptor agonist, in hypertensive patients

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‐1 and the volume of distribution was 582 +/‐ 62 ml kg‐1. 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.