Oxprenolol plus ethanol causes no central nervous system depression--a comparison with lorazepam plus ethanol.

Oxprenolol, a fat-soluble beta-adrenergic blocker, promoted as an anxiolytic agent to alleviate peripheral symptoms associated with anxiety, and lorazepam, a 1,4-benzodiazepine anxiolytic drug, may both depress central nervous system (CNS) function. It is generally accepted that ethanol, when concurrently ingested, potentiates the CNS-depressant effects of drugs. The effects on CNS function of oxprenolol, lorazepam and placebo alone and in combination with ethanol were determined by a Leeds Psychomotor Tester and we concluded that oxprenolol in combination with ethanol is less hazardous to people operating power tools/machines or driving motor vehicles than the combination of lorazepam with ethanol.