A comparison of four beta-adrenoceptor antagonists in patients with asthma.
1 Cardiovascular and airways response to two non-cardioselective beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs, propranolol and pindolol (with partial agonist activity) and two cardioselective beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs, acebutolol (with partial agonist activity) and atenolol, were compared in twelve patients with asthma. 2 All four drugs produced a significant reduction in resting pulse rate and prevented the increase in heart rate following inhaled isoprenaline (1,500 microgram). 3 Seven patients in clinical remission showed no significant bronchoconstrictor response to any of the drugs. In the remaining five patients, bronchoconstriction was greatest following propranolol (mean reduction in FEV1 26.6%) and least following atenolol (mean reduction in FEV1 6.5%). 4 The bronchodilator response to inhaled isoprenaline was blocked by propranolol and pindolol but not by acebutolol and atenolol. 5 Partial agonist activity did not appear to be clinically useful.
D000293:Adolescent; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007545:Isoproterenol; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D010919:Placebos; D007545:Isoproterenol