Comparative potency of atenolol and propranolol as beta-adrenergic blocking agents in man.
The comparative potency of two beta-blockers, propranolol and atenolol, in the inhibition of exercise tachycardia and isoproterenol-tachycardia has been studied in two groups of hypertensive patients, using oral doses which were increased weekly. A linear correlation was observed between the reduction in exercise tachycardia and the dose of each drug, up to a daily dose of propranolol 480 mg and atenolol 600 mg. Propranolol was slightly (0.7/1) more potent in decreasing maximal exercise tachycardia than atenolol when tested in low doses (below 100 mg); at higher doses (480 mg) no differences were found. However, atenolol was 10 times less potent than propranolol in blocking isoprenaline-induced tachycardia, which seems to be related to the cardioselectivity of atenolol.
D000328:Adult; D001262:Atenolol / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005082:Physical Exertion; D010919:Placebos; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012146:Rest; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000517:prevention & control
D010919:Placebos; D011412:Propanolamines; D001262:Atenolol; D011433:Propranolol; D007545:Isoproterenol