Pharmacokinetics in drug therapy. I: Propranolol hydrochloride as adjunct therapy in the treatment of thyrotoxicosis.

A case study in which propranolol hydrochloride was used as adjunct therapy in the treatment of atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response, thyrotoxicosis and high output heart failure is presented to illustrate the pharmacokinetics of this drug. The relationship of propranolol dosage to blood levels, the effect of blood levels on pharmacological response, the metabolism and elimination of propranolol, and determination of rational dosage of the drug, are discussed.