title: Beta-adrenoceptor-blocking drugs and blood sugar control in diabetes mellitus.
abstract: The effects on diabetic control of the relative cardioselective beta-blocker metoprolol and the non-selective drug propranolol were compared in 20 hypertensive diabetic patients receiving diet alone or diet and oral hypoglycaemic agents. Each drug was given for one month in a double-blind, cross-over study. Fasting, noon, and mid-afternoon blood sugar concentrations rose by 1.0-1.5 mmol/l (18-27 mg/100 ml). The rise with propranolol was not significantly greater than with metoprolol. In a few patients the rise was clinically important. The small overall change observed in diabetic control should not deter the use of beta-blockers in non-insulin-dependent diabetics, provided control is carefully monitored at the onset of treatment.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008790:Metoprolol / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D011412:Propanolamines; D011433:Propranolol; D008790:Metoprolol