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Short-term behavioral effects of beta-adrenergic medications in men with mild hypertension.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Blumenthal, JA; Madden, DJ; Krantz, DS; Light, KC; McKee, DC; Ekelund, LG; Simon, J
Published in: Clin Pharmacol Ther
April 1988

beta-Adrenergic-inhibiting drugs are widely prescribed for the treatment of hypertension. These drugs have previously been found to influence a variety of psychologic and behavioral functions and have, in some cases, been associated with serious psychiatric side effects. The present study examined psychologic changes associated with beta-blockade therapy. Twenty-six men with mild hypertension (diastolic blood pressure 90 to 110 mm Hg) were randomly assigned to receive either a selective beta 1-antagonist (atenolol), a nonselective beta 1- and beta 2-antagonist (propranolol), or a placebo. Both before and after a 2-week period of drug administration, subjects completed a comprehensive assessment of quality of life including measures of mood, memory performance, and side effects. In general, beta-blocker therapy was associated with relatively few adverse symptoms, particularly when compared with control subjects taking placebo. Reductions in negative emotional states (tension and anger) were observed for subjects receiving atenolol, and the largest improvements in memory performance were observed for subjects receiving propranolol. These results suggest that beta-blocker therapy is not invariably associated with negative side effects and that some behavioral functions may actually be improved.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Clin Pharmacol Ther

DOI

ISSN

0009-9236

Publication Date

April 1988

Volume

43

Issue

4

Start / End Page

429 / 435

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Random Allocation
  • Psychomotor Performance
  • Psychological Tests
  • Propranolol
  • Pharmacology & Pharmacy
  • Middle Aged
  • Memory
  • Male
  • Hypertension
  • Humans
 

Citation

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Blumenthal, J. A., Madden, D. J., Krantz, D. S., Light, K. C., McKee, D. C., Ekelund, L. G., & Simon, J. (1988). Short-term behavioral effects of beta-adrenergic medications in men with mild hypertension. Clin Pharmacol Ther, 43(4), 429–435. https://doi.org/10.1038/clpt.1988.54
Blumenthal, J. A., D. J. Madden, D. S. Krantz, K. C. Light, D. C. McKee, L. G. Ekelund, and J. Simon. “Short-term behavioral effects of beta-adrenergic medications in men with mild hypertension.Clin Pharmacol Ther 43, no. 4 (April 1988): 429–35. https://doi.org/10.1038/clpt.1988.54.
Blumenthal JA, Madden DJ, Krantz DS, Light KC, McKee DC, Ekelund LG, et al. Short-term behavioral effects of beta-adrenergic medications in men with mild hypertension. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1988 Apr;43(4):429–35.
Blumenthal, J. A., et al. “Short-term behavioral effects of beta-adrenergic medications in men with mild hypertension.Clin Pharmacol Ther, vol. 43, no. 4, Apr. 1988, pp. 429–35. Pubmed, doi:10.1038/clpt.1988.54.
Blumenthal JA, Madden DJ, Krantz DS, Light KC, McKee DC, Ekelund LG, Simon J. Short-term behavioral effects of beta-adrenergic medications in men with mild hypertension. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1988 Apr;43(4):429–435.
Journal cover image

Published In

Clin Pharmacol Ther

DOI

ISSN

0009-9236

Publication Date

April 1988

Volume

43

Issue

4

Start / End Page

429 / 435

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Random Allocation
  • Psychomotor Performance
  • Psychological Tests
  • Propranolol
  • Pharmacology & Pharmacy
  • Middle Aged
  • Memory
  • Male
  • Hypertension
  • Humans