Propranolol increases arterial ammonia in liver cirrhosis.
Propranolol (20 mg 4 times a day) was given to patients with liver cirrhosis or fatty infiltration of the liver. In six patients with cirrhosis and a stable arterial plasma ammonia concentration before treatment, blood ammonia was increased significantly on day 3 of propranolol treatment. Arterial plasma ammonia concentration was still high on day 6 of propranolol. Individual percentage change in arterial ammonia ranged from 8% to 66%. After propranolol had been discontinued ammonia concentration returned to pretreatment concentrations in 3 to 6 days. In 3 patients with fatty livers and normal pretreatment ammonia concentrations no change was detected in arterial plasma ammonia while they were on propranolol.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000641:Ammonia / Q000097:blood*; D001158:Arteries; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005235:Fatty Liver, Alcoholic / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000188:drug therapy; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008102:Liver Circulation / Q000187:drug effects; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
D000641:Ammonia; D011433:Propranolol