Abstract
Oral atenolol (25, 50 and 100 mg) and placebo administered once daily were tested in a double-masked, randomized cross-over study. Ten patients (18 eyes) who had untreated intraocular pressure (IOP) ≧ 22 mm Hg participated. A fall in IOP was observed 2 h after administration, with a mean maximum after 2–5 h. The decrease in IOP was dose-dependent and persisted 24 h during treatment with the higher doses. After 7-day treatment a significant decrease in IOP was still noted 24 h after intake of 50 and 100 mg. The mean maximum decrease in IOP was observed at the same time as on day 1, but the fall in IOP was slightly diminished. During the treatment period a reduction in pulse rate was seen with all the doses tested. A fall in systemic blood pressure was also observed with the higher doses. Two patients reported side effects that could be related to haemodynamic influence.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Barret AM, Carter J, Fitzgerald JD, Hull R, Le Count D (1973) A new type of cardioselective adrenoceptive blocking drug. Br J Pharmacol 48: 340
Brenkman RF (1978) Long-term hypotensive effect of atenolol 4% eyedrops. Br J Ophthalmol 62: 287–291
Elliot MJ, Cullen PM, Phillips CI (1975) Ocular hypotensive effect of atenolol (Tenormin ICI). A new beta-adrenergic blocker. Br J Ophthalmol 59: 296–300
Heel RC, Brogden RN, Speight TM, Avery GS (1979) Timolol: A review of its Therapeutic Efficacy in the topical treatment of glaucoma. Drugs 17: 38–55
Macdonald MJ, Cullen PM, Phillips CI (1976) Atenolol versus propranolol, A comparison of ocular hypotensive effect of an oral dose. Br J Ophthalmol 60: 789–791
Nilsson OR, Karlberg BE, Ohlsson O, Thulin T, Tolagen K (1979) Atenolol administered once daily in primary hypertension. Acta Med Scand 206: 303–308
Norell SE, Granström PE (1980) Self-medication with pilocarpine among outpatients in a glaucoma clinic. Br J Ophthalmol 64: 137–141
Phillips CI, Howitt G, Rowlands DJ (1967) Propranolol as ocular hypotensive agent. Br J Ophthalmol 51: 222–226
Wettrell K (1977) Intraocular pressure reduction during treatment with pilocarpine and systemic propranolol. Albrecht von Graefes Arch Klin Exp Ophthalmol 204: 1–7
Wettrell K, Pandolfi M (1976) Early dose response analysis of ocular hypotensive effects of propranolol in patients with ocular hypertension. Br J Ophthalmol 60: 680–683
Wettrell K, Pandolfi M (1977) Effect of topical atenolol on intraocular pressure. Br J Ophthalmol 61: 334–338
Zimmermann TJ, Boger III WP (1979) The beta-adrenergic blocking agents and the treatment of glaucoma. Surv Ophthalmol 23: 347–422
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Stenkula, E., Wettrell, K. A dose-response study of oral atenolol administered once daily in patients with raised intra-ocular pressure. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 218, 96–98 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02153719
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02153719