Levobunolol metabolism

VHL Lee, DS Chien, H Sasaki. (1988). Ocular ketone reductase distribution and its role in the metabolism of ocularly applied levobunolol in the pigmented rabbit. J Pharmacol Exp Therap 246 871-878. 

Ashton, P., W. Wang, and V.H.L. Lee. 1991. Location of penetration and metabolic barriers to levobunolol in the corneal epithelium of the pigmented rabbit. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 259 719. 

Its metaboUc fate, however, differs from that of timolol. Levobunolol is metabolized to dihydrobunolol, a compound with equipotent beta-blocking effects both systemically and ocularly. The potency of levobunolol at the ocular P2-adrenoceptor is similar to that of timolol. 

Reductive metabolism is a relatively uncommon route of dmg metabolism. Hie beta-blocking dmg levobunolol is converted into its active form via reduction (Fig. 8.33), the co-factor in such reductions is NADPH. A number of steroids are inactivated via reduction either of carbonyl groups or carbon-carbon double bonds. 

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