Practolol
Encyclopedia
Practolol is a selective beta blocker
that has been used in the emergency treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. Practolol is no longer used as it is highly toxic despite the similarity of its chemical formula to propanolol. The use of practolol has been referred to as the practolol disaster and is considered the worst medical blunders since thalidomide
.
s, such as bronchoconstriction, cardiac failure, cold extremities, fatigue and depression, hypoglycaemia.
Furthermore, chronic use of practolol may cause oculomucocutaneous syndrome, a severe syndrome whose signs include conjunctivitis sicca and psoriasiform rashes, otitis
and sclerosing serositis. This syndrome has not been observed with other such beta blockers.
General information
Beta blocker
Beta blockers or beta-adrenergic blocking agents, beta-adrenergic antagonists, beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists or beta antagonists, are a class of drugs used for various indications. They are particularly for the management of cardiac arrhythmias, cardioprotection after myocardial infarction ,...
that has been used in the emergency treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. Practolol is no longer used as it is highly toxic despite the similarity of its chemical formula to propanolol. The use of practolol has been referred to as the practolol disaster and is considered the worst medical blunders since thalidomide
Thalidomide
Thalidomide was introduced as a sedative drug in the late 1950s that was typically used to cure morning sickness. In 1961, it was withdrawn due to teratogenicity and neuropathy. There is now a growing clinical interest in thalidomide, and it is introduced as an immunomodulatory agent used...
.
Side effects
Side effects are similar to those of other beta blockerBeta blocker
Beta blockers or beta-adrenergic blocking agents, beta-adrenergic antagonists, beta-adrenoreceptor antagonists or beta antagonists, are a class of drugs used for various indications. They are particularly for the management of cardiac arrhythmias, cardioprotection after myocardial infarction ,...
s, such as bronchoconstriction, cardiac failure, cold extremities, fatigue and depression, hypoglycaemia.
Furthermore, chronic use of practolol may cause oculomucocutaneous syndrome, a severe syndrome whose signs include conjunctivitis sicca and psoriasiform rashes, otitis
Otitis
Otitis is a general term for inflammation or infection of the ear, in both humans and other animals.It is subdivided into the following:*Otitis externa, external otitis, or "swimmer's ear" involves the outer ear and ear canal. In external otitis, the ear hurts when touched or pulled.*Otitis media...
and sclerosing serositis. This syndrome has not been observed with other such beta blockers.
External links
Scientific information / studies- Guinea Pig study from 1975
- Liver effect study from 1981
- Study of uses during surgery
- Molecular structure
General information