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Propranolol in Experimentally Induced Stress

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

Elizabeth A. Taylor ,
Paul Turner  and
Jean Harrison
Elizabeth A. Taylor
Affiliation:
St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, London, EC1A 7BE
Paul Turner
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, London, EC1A 7BE
Jean Harrison
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, London, EC1A 7BE
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Summary

The influence of beta-adrenoceptor antagonism on the effects of a simple experimental stress was investigated in 12 healthy volunteers, using a double-blind protocol. A single oral dose of 80 mg propranolol reduced the stress-induced increase in heart rate and systolic blood pressure to 49.9 per cent and 8.3 per cent respectively compared to 61.0 per cent and 17.4 per cent with placebo. The rise in diastolic blood pressure was small and unaffected by beta-adrenoceptor blockade. The rise in temperature of the skin of the trunk was significantly reduced by propranolol. The self-rating of anxiety, alertness and concentration by the subjects was unaffected by propranolol.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 139 , Issue 6 , December 1981 , pp. 545 - 549
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1981 

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