Patient acceptability of propranolol and the occurence of side effects.

The incidence of adverse effects is reported in a group of more than 400 patients treated with propranolol between 1964 and 1974. Severe side effects necessitating withdrawal of the drug were found in less than 10%; dose-limiting side effects were found in less than 15%. Tolerable side effects are studied in detail. Pharmacologically based side effects are recorded and ways of minimizing their frequency are discussed. The acceptability of propranolol in general terms and its advantages are assessed.