P-adrenoceptor blockers

Some P-adrenoceptor blockers have intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA) or partial agonist activity (PAA). They activate P-adrenoceptors before blocking them. Theoretically, patients taking P-adrenoceptor blockers with ISA should not have cold extremities because the dmg produces minimal decreases in peripheral blood flow (smaller increases in resistance). In addition, these agents should produce minimal depression of heart rate and cardiac output, either at rest or during exercise (36). 

There have been a number of long-term trials with various P-adrenoceptor blockers in patients surviving acute MI (37—39) that demonstrated a reduction in mortaUty, sudden death, and nonfatal re-infarctions. The term cardioprotective has been used to describe this effect for the dmgs studied. The... 

Propranolol. Propranolol hydrochloride, considered the prototype of the P-adrenoceptor blocking agents, has been in use since 1964. It is a nonselective, highly Hpid-soluble P-adrenoceptor blocker having no ISA. It is a mixture of (+) and (—) enantiomers, and the (—) enantiomer is the active moiety. The local anesthetic effects of propranolol are equipotent to those of Hdocaine [137-58-6] C 4H22N20, (see Anesthetics). Therapeutic effects include termination of catecholamine-induced arrhythmias, conversion of SA nodal tachycardias (including flutter and fibrillation) and AV nodal tachyarrhythmias to normal sinus rhythm, digitahs-induced arrhythmias, and ventricular arrhythmias (1,2). The dmg also has cardioprotective properties (37,39). 

Acebutolol. Acebutolol hydrochloride is a hydrophilic, cardioselective P-adrenoceptor blocker that has about 1/25 the potency of propranolol in this regard. The dmg has moderate ISA and weak membrane stabilizing activities. It is approved for the treatment of hypertension and ventricular arrhythmias, especially PVCs. Acebutolol should produce minimal depression of heart rate because of its ISA (32). 

Elestolol sulfate is a nonselective, ultrashort acting P-adrenoceptor blocker. It has no ISA and produces weak inhibition of the fast sodium channel. The dmg is under clinical investigation for supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, unstable angina, and acute MI. In humans, flestolol has hemodynamics and electrophysiologic effects similar to those of other P-adrenoceptor blockers. The pharmacokinetics of flestolol are similar to those of esmolol. It is 50 times more potent than esmolol and the elimination half-life is 7.2 min. Recovery from P-adrenoceptor blockade is 30—45 min after stopping iv infusions. The dmg is hydrolyzed by tissue esterases and no active metabohtes of flestolol have been identified (41). 

Bopindolol is a long-acting, nonselective P-adrenoceptor blocker. It has mild membrane stabilizing activity and ISA. In vivo, the compound is hydrolyzed to its active metabohte. Because of this prodmg feature the onset of action is slower than other available P-adrenoceptor blockers. Preliminary pharmacokinetic studies indicate that the compound is weU absorbed, is 70% bioavailable, and peak plasma levels are achieved in about 2 h. Whereas its elimination half-life is 4—8 h, P-adrenoceptor blocking action (- 40%) is stiU apparent after 48 h. The dmg is being studied in hypertension, angina, and arrhythmias (43). 

P-Adrenoceptor Blockers. There is no satisfactory mechanism to explain the antihypertensive activity of P-adrenoceptor blockers (see Table 1) in humans particularly after chronic treatment (228,231—233). Reductions in heart rate correlate well with decreases in blood pressure and this may be an important mechanism. Other proposed mechanisms include reduction in PRA, reduction in cardiac output, and a central action. However, pindolol produces an antihypertensive effect without lowering PRA. In long-term treatment, the cardiac output is restored despite the decrease in arterial blood pressure and total peripheral resistance. Atenolol (Table 1), which does not penetrate into the brain is an efficacious antihypertensive agent. In short-term treatment, the blood flow to most organs (except the brain) is reduced and the total peripheral resistance may increase. 

Better antihypertensive effect of P-adrenoceptor blockers is found in patients having high PRA and most are not efficacious in patients having low PRA or in elderly patients. P-Adrenoceptor blockers usually lower arterial blood pressure about 10 mm Hg (1.3 kPa). Side effects include lethargy, dyspnea, nausea, dizziness, headache, impotency, cold hands and feet, vivid dreams and nightmares, bronchospasm, bradycardia, and sleep disturbances. 

P-Adrenoceptor blockers for the treatment of hypertension include (/) the cardioselective P -adrenoceptor blockers without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA), ie, atenolol (Table 3), bisoprolol (Table 3), and metoprolol (Table 1) (2) the cardioselective with ISA, ie, acebutolol (Table 1) (J) the noncardioselective without ISA, ie, propranolol (Table 1) and timolol [26839-75-8] C23H24N4O2S and (4) the noncardioselective with ISA, ie, oxprenolol [6452-71-7] C 3H23N03, and pindolol. 

The myocardial response to exercise includes an increase in heart rate and myocardial contractility. These effects are mediated in part by the sympathetic nervous system. Propranolol and other p-adrenoceptor blockers antagonize the actions of catecholamines on the heart... 

ATC C07AB05 S01ED02 Use selective P-adrenoceptor blocker, antihypertensive... 

Disadvantage is that absorption can occur, especially when there is tissue destruction so that systemic effects result, e.g. adrenal steroids and neomycin to the skin, atropine to the eye. Ocular administration of a P-adrenoceptor blocker may cause systemic effects (any first-pass elimination is bypassed) and such eye drops are contraindicated for patients with asthma or chronic lung disease. There is extensive literature on this subject characterised by expressions of astonishment that serious effects, even death, can occur. 

Up-regulation. The occasional exacerbation of ischaemic cardiac disease on sudden withdrawal of a p-adrenoceptor blocker may be explained by up-regulation during its administration, so that on withdrawal, an above-normal number of receptors suddenly becomes accessible to the normal chemo-transmitter, i.e. noradrenaline (norepinephrine). 

The rebound phenomenon is plaiirly a potential hazard and the use of a p-adrenoceptor blocker in the presence of ischaemic heart disease would be safer if rebound could be eliminated, p-adrenoceptor blockers that are not pure antagonists but have some agonist (sympathomimetic ischaemic) activity, i.e. partial agonists, may prevent the generation of additional adrenoceptors (up-regulation). Indeed there is evidence that rebound is less or is absent with pindolol, a partial agonist P-adrenoceptor blocker. 

Cardiovascular system P-adrenoceptor blockers, antih5q)ertensives (especially clonidine). 

Summation or addition occurs when the effects of two drugs having the same action are additive, i.e. 2 + 2 = 4 (a p-adrenoceptor blocker plus a thiazide diuretic have an additive antihypertensive effect). 

Action on receptors provides numerous examples. Beneficial interactions are sought in overdose, as with the use of naloxone for morphine overdose (opioid receptor), of atropine for anticholinesterase, i.e. insecticide poisoning (acetylcholine receptor), of isoproterelol (isoprenaline) for overdose with a P-adrenoceptor blocker (p-adrenoceptor), of phentolamine for the monoamine oxidase inhibitor-sympathomimetic interaction (a-adrenoceptor). 

P-adrenoceptor blockers lose some antihypertensive efficacy when nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), especially indomethacin, are coadministered the effect involves inhibition of production of vasodilator prostaglandins by the kidney leading to sodium retention. 

Cardiac arrhythmia frequently accompanies poisoning, e.g. with tricyclic antidepressants, theophylline, P-adrenoceptor blockers. Acidosis, hypoxia and electrolyte disturbance are often important contributory factors the emphasis of therapy should be to correct these and to resist the temptation to resort to an antiarrhythmic drug. If arrhythmia leads... 

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