A comparison of the effects of propranolol and oxprenolol on forearm blood flow and skin temperature.

Abstract

1 The effects of oxprenolol 80 mg and propranolol 80 mg on resting forearm blood flow (RFBF) and skin temperature were compared in seven normotensive subjects, for 4 h after an oral dose. 2 There was a significant fall of RFBF after propranolol (mean +/- s.e. mean 0.74 +/- 0.24 ml 100 g-1 min-1) compared to a smaller non-significant reduction after oxprenolol (0.35 +/- 0.19 ml 100 g-1 min-1). Propranolol produced a greater fall in heart rate than oxprenolol at all times except at 2.5 h. Three subjects experienced falls in skin temperature of over 4 degrees C with propranolol. There were no comparable falls after oxprenolol. 3 The results suggest that at the same dose oxprenolol has less effect on RFBF and skin temperature than propranolol.