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Studies on the antihypertensive action of the optical isomers of propranolol in man

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Summary

The antihypertensive actions of (+/-)-propranolol and of (+)-propranolol were compared in 10 patients with essential hypertension and in 1 patient with renovascular hypertension. The study was of double-blind crossover design. Bith, racemic propranolol and the (+)-isomer were ineffective in 4 hypertensives. In 7 patients, including the one with renovascular hypertension, (+/-)-propranolol significantly decreased supine systolic and diastolic as well as standing systolic blood pressure. None of these parameters was altered by identical doses of (+)-propranolol. Propranolol plasma levels measured during treatment with racemic propranolol did not differ from the concentrations determined during the (+)-propranolol period. The data indicate that the hypotensive effect of propranolol in man is due to β-receptor blockade.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Abteilung Innere Medizin II der Rheinisch-Westfälischen Technischen Hochschule, Goethestraße 27-29, D-5100, Aachen, Federal Republic of Germany

    K. H. Rahn, A. Hawlina, F. Kersting & G. Planz

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  1. K. H. Rahn
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  2. A. Hawlina
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  3. F. Kersting
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  4. G. Planz
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Rahn, K.H., Hawlina, A., Kersting, F. et al. Studies on the antihypertensive action of the optical isomers of propranolol in man. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch. Pharmacol. 286, 319–323 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00498314

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00498314

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