Distribution coefficients of atenolol and sotalol

Abstract

Abstract The distribution coefficient (D) of atenolol is lower than that of sotalol, despite the latter’s lower partition coefficient (P). Since D is the relevant quantity under physiological conditions, it is re-established that atenolol is in practice the more hydrophilic. Because of the common confusion between P and D which this case exemplifies, the relation between them is set out.