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Journal List > Br J Clin Pharmacol > v.2(6); Dec 1975

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Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1975 December; 2(6): 527–531.
PMCID: PMC1402646
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The effects of atenolol (tenormin) and methyldopa on simple tests of central nervous function.
P F Bayliss and S M Duncan
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Abstract
Two identical studies, one comparing the effect of single doses of a new beta-adrenoceptor blocker, atenolol (Tenormin) (50 mg and 100 mg) and placebo, and the other comparing the effect of single doses of methyldopa (250 mg and 500 mg) and placebo, in healthy volunteers, were carried out. 2 In both studies the effect of the drugs upon reaction time, critical flicker frequency, subjective drowsiness, pulse rate and blood pressure was measured. 3 Atenolol produced no effect upon reaction time, critical flicker frequency or subjective feelings, while methyldopa produced a statistically significant prolongation of reaction time and a statistically significant increase in the subjective sensation of drowsiness. 4 Atenolol produced statistically significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure and in pulse rate while methyldopa was without effect. 5 It is concluded that atenolol is unlikely to produce the side effects of sedation or drowsiness.
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Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
  • Dunleavy DL, MacLean AW, Oswald I. Debrisoquine, guanethidine, propranolol and human sleep. Psychopharmacologia. 1971;21(2):101–110. [PubMed]
  • Granville-Grossman KL, Turner P. The effect of propranolol on anxiety. Lancet. 1966 Apr 9;1(7441):788–790. [PubMed]
  • HAMILTON M, KOPELMAN H. Treatment of severe hypertension with methyldopa. Br Med J. 1963 Jan 19;1(5324):151–155. [PubMed]
  • Hansson L, Aberg H, Jameson S, Karlberg B, Malmcrona R. Initial clinical experience with I.C.I. 66.082, a new beta-adrenergic blocking agent, in hypertension. Acta Med Scand. 1973 Dec;194(6):549–550. [PubMed]
  • Johnson P, Kitchin AH, Lowther CP, Turner RW. Treatment of hypertension with methyldopa. Br Med J. 1966 Jan 15;1(5480):133–137. [PubMed]
  • Lader MH, Tyrer PJ. Central and peripheral effects of propranolol and sotalol in normal human subjects. Br J Pharmacol. 1972 Jul;45(3):557–560. [PubMed]
  • Oates JA, Seligmann AW, Clark MA, Rousseau P, Lee RE. The relative efficacy of guanethidine, methyldopa and pargyline as antihypertensive agents. N Engl J Med. 1965 Sep 30;273(14):729–734. [PubMed]
  • Orzack MH, Branconnier R, Gardos G. CNS effects of propranolol in man. Psychopharmacologia. 1973;29(4):299–306. [PubMed]
  • PRICHARD BN. HYPOTENSIVE ACTION OF PRONETHALOL. Br Med J. 1964 May 9;1(5392):1227–1228. [PubMed]
  • Simpson FO. Beta-adrenergic receptor blocking drugs in hypertension. Drugs. 1974;7(1):85–105. [PubMed]
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