Oxprenolol plus ethanol causes no central nervous system depression--a comparison with lorazepam plus ethanol.
Oxprenolol, a fat-soluble beta-adrenergic blocker, promoted as an anxiolytic agent to alleviate peripheral symptoms associated with anxiety, and lorazepam, a 1,4-benzodiazepine anxiolytic drug, may both depress central nervous system (CNS) function. It is generally accepted that ethanol, when concurrently ingested, potentiates the CNS-depressant effects of drugs. The effects on CNS function of oxprenolol, lorazepam and placebo alone and in combination with ethanol were determined by a Leeds Psychomotor Tester and we concluded that oxprenolol in combination with ethanol is less hazardous to people operating power tools/machines or driving motor vehicles than the combination of lorazepam with ethanol.
D000328:Adult; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005425:Flicker Fusion / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D010096:Oxprenolol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors
D000431:Ethanol; D010096:Oxprenolol; D008140:Lorazepam