Beta blockers and asthma

Abstract

In a single-blind, randomised, crossover study in 10 asthmatic patients, the effects of approximately equipotent oral doses of 3 cardioselective beta-blockers-atenolol (100mg), metoprolol (100mg), and acebutolol (300mg) - and 4 non-cardioselective beta-blockers - propranolol (100mg), oxprenolol (100mg), pindolol (5mg), and timolol (10mg) upon FEV1 were compared. All drugs, except pindolol, produced a significant reduction in standing pulse rate and prevented an increase in heart rate after inhaled isoprenaline (1500μg). All drug caused a fall in FEV1 but only atenolol did not differ significantly from placebo in this respect. The bronchodilator response to inhaled isoprenaline was blocked by the 4 non-cardioselective drugs; the 3 cardioselective agents permitted some bronchodilatation, but only atenolol did not differ from placebo.