title: Propranolol in schizophrenia. Clinical, metabolic, and pharmacological findings.
abstract: Six schizophrenic patients received propranolol hydrochloride to evaluate pharmacological, endocrinological, and antipsychotic properties of the drug. They had previously been unsuccessfully treated with phenothiazines. After a drug-free period of two weeks, propranolol was administered in gradually increasing doses. After two to four weeks, a low dose of phenothiazines was added. The clinical effect was evaluated using the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale. Three of the six patients showed a definite improvement with propranolol therapy given as a sole treatment. Propranolol in plasma was positively correlated to dosage. The proportion of its major metabolite, 4-hydroxy-propranolol, decreased with increasing drug dose. Melatonin and prolactin levels in serum decreased noticeably with propranolol treatment. When phenothiazines were added, prolactin increased above drug-free levels. These results support the view that propranolol has an antipsychotic potential that needs further evaluation in clinical trials.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood; D011433:Propranolol / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D013881:Thioridazine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D011388:Prolactin; D011433:Propranolol; D008550:Melatonin; D013881:Thioridazine