Effects of beta-adrenoceptors blocking eye drops in patients with chronic bronchitis.
Beta-blocker eyedrops used on asthmatic patients are known to enhance asthma which is, as chronic bronchitis, an obstructive disease of the lung, and an authentic bronchoconstriction is always possible. A single blind parallel trial in 3 groups of 10 patients with grade II and III chronic bronchitis, was conducted to evaluate the cardiovascular and bronchial tolerance of 3 beta-blocker eyedrops: timolol, betaxolol and carteolol compared to placebo. The following parameters were measured during a 90 minutes period: heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, forced expiratory volume in one second, vital capacity. It appeared that only heart rate lowers significantly under the influence of the beta-blocker eyedrop, the other parameters did not change and no difference was noticed between the three eyedrops. However, comparison of individual values showed a significant decrease of forced expiratory volume in one second in certain subjects and this, although betaxolol is a beta 1 selective beta-blocker. Caution should be taken each time beta-blocker eyedrops are prescribed for glaucoma to patients with chronic bronchitis.
Laboratoire de Thérapeutique Appliquée, Hôpital Laënnec, Paris.
F C
FC
Hugues
J C
JC
Matte
C
C
Le Jeunne
A
A
Salem
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000368:Aged; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions