(R)-(+)-Atenolol is the less active enantiomer of the racemic β1-adrenergic receptor antagonist, (R, S)-atenolol [1].
Atenolol is a selective β1 receptor antagonist, a drug belonging to the group of beta blockers, a class of drugs used primarily in cardiovascular diseases. Atenolol is used for a number of conditions including hypertension, angina, long QT syndrome, acute myocardial infarction, supraventricular tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, and the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. β1-adrenergic receptor is a G-protein coupled receptor associated with the Gs heterotrimeric G-protein and is expressed predominantly in cardiac tissue.
Pharmacokinetic data of the time course of plasma concentrations over 24 h following oral administration of 50 mg (R)-(+)-Atenolol revealed that the Cmax, AUC, and t1/2 values were 326±87 ng/ml, 2599±639 ng×h/ml, and 8.9±2.9 h, respectively [1].
Reference:
[1] Stoschitzky K, Egginger G, Zernig G, et al. Stereoselective features of (R)- and (S)-atenolol: clinical pharmacological, pharmacokinetic, and radioligand binding studies[J]. Chirality, 1993, 5(1): 15-19.