Effect of smoking on the elimination of propranolol hydrochloride.

The effect of smoking on the elimination characteristics of propranolol was determined in 20 patients, 10 smokers and 10 non-smokers, who were taking the drug on a continual basis. Smokers took larger doses than non-smokers. The apparent body clearance (ABC) of propranolol in the smoking group was significantly greater than in the non-smoking group (p less than 0.01). When the serum concentrations were adjusted for body weight and dose, the non-smoking group had significantly higher serum concentrations than did the smoking group. The values for half-live (t 1/2) and elimination (k) demonstrated a trend toward a decreases in t 1/2 and increase in k in the group of smokers.