Effects of practolol in combination with terbutaline in the treatment of hypertension and arrhythmias in asthmatic patients.

After a run-in period practolol was given in the dose of 100 mg twice daily to 29 patients with chronic bronchial asthma on the indication hypertension (12) and supraventricular arrhythmia (17). During the run-in period, as well as during the practolol period, a long-acting beta2-stimulator, terbutaline, was given in the dose of 5 mg three times daily. Peak expiratory flow (PEF), heart rate and blood pressure were measured under standardized conditions. No change of the lung function was observed during practolol therapy. Systolic as well as diastolic blood pressure fell significantly. The heart rhythm was normalized in 15 of the arrhythmic subjects. No subjective worsening of the asthmatic symptoms or any other side effects were noted. It is suggested that practolol can be safely used in patients prone to bronchospasm, provided a long-acting beta2-stimulating drug is given concomitantly on the usual indications for beta blockers in acute situations.