Effects of oxprenolol on the airways of normal and bronchitic subjects.

In a double blind trial in 11 control subjects and 12 bronchitic patients against an inert control oxprenolol produced significant worsening in airways obstruction in 6 control and in 7 patients. There was marked individual variation in response and no way was found to predict the susceptible subjects. Objective measurement of indices of airways obstruction and the effects of oxprenolol on them is essential where there is significant respiratory impairment. Great care must continue to be exercised since a significant proportion of bronchitic patients will be adversely affected by this drug.