Propranolol dosage in thyrotoxicosis.

Abstract

Eighteen thyrotoxic patients receiving chronic treatment with propranolol (160 mg/day) were studied to determine the relationship between plasma propranolol concentration and drug effect. There was a considerable interindividual variability in both the plasma propranolol steady state concentration and the degree of beta-adrenergic blockade. The plasma propranolol steady state concentration correlated significantly with both beta-adrenergic blockage and weight change but not with the degree of subjective improvement. In a group of 40 patients, including 10 severely thyrotoxic patients, who had the dosage of propranolol titrated objectively preoperatively to bring about a greater than 25% reduction in exercise heart rate at the end of a dosage interval, no case of thyroid storm was encountered. Many patients, the younger and severely thyrotoxic in particular, require doses in excess of 160 mg/day to achieve this degree of beta-adrenergic blockade.

• Authors: J Feely, A Forrest, A Gunn, W Hamilton, I Stevenson, J Crooks
• Journal: The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism (J Clin Endocrinol Metab) Vol. 51 Issue 3 Pg. 658-61 (Sep 1980) ISSN: 0021-972X [Print] United States
• PMID: 7410541 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Propranolol

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Body Weight (drug effects)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Female
• Heart Rate (drug effects)
• Humans
• Hyperthyroidism (drug therapy)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Propranolol (administration & dosage, blood, therapeutic use)
• Thyroidectomy