Titre du document / Document title

Effect of combined atenolol and nifedipine administration on psychomotor performance in normal subjects

Auteur(s) / Author(s)

GERRARD L. ; WHEELDON N. M. ; MCDEVITT D. G. ;

Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s)

Ninewells hosp. medical school, univ. dep. clin. pharmacology, Dundee DD1 9SY, ROYAUME-UNI

Résumé / Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the central effects of single doses of the β-adrenoceptor antagonist atenolol and the calcium antagonist nifedipine retard, alone and in combination, in normal subjects. Twelve normal males received single oral doses of atenolol 100 mg, nifedipine retard 20 mg, atenolol 100 mg and nifedipine retard 20 mg in combination, diazepam 5 mg (active control), and each of two matching placebos in a double-blind, randomised fashion. Psychomotor performance was assessed using digit symbol substitution, letter cancellation (LCT), continuous attention, choice reaction time, finger tapping, immediate recall and short-term memory. Two flash fusion and critical flicker fusion thresholds were measured and subjective assessments made using visual analogue scales (VAS). Diazepam 5 mg significantly worsened LCT scores at 4h, significantly impaired alertness at 2 h and 4 h, and tended to increase reaction time and impair continuous attention and physiological measurements. Atenolol 100 mg alone significantly reduced alertness at 2 h and 4 h, and also tended to impair physiological measurements. Nifedipine retard 20 mg produced no significant psychomotor effects. Combined atenolol and nifedipine retard administration produced a small but significant improvement in continuous attention and a reduction in body sway, with no adverse effects being evident on performance or subjective awareness. The results suggest that no significant adverse effects on psychomotor performance are produced by single doses of atenolol 100 mg and nifedipine retard 20 mg when given together in normal subjects. The combination may therefore be useful in the treatment of hypertensive patients requiring dual therapy, and in whom adverse central effects are of particular importance.

Revue / Journal Title

European journal of clinical pharmacology   ISSN 0031-6970 

Source / Source

1995, vol. 48, n^o3-4, pp. 229-233 (10 ref.)

Langue / Language

Anglais

Editeur / Publisher

Springer, Berlin, ALLEMAGNE  (1970) (Revue)

Mots-clés anglais / English Keywords

Antihypertensive agent ; Psychomotricity ; Toxicity ; Calcium antagonist ; Beta blocking agent ; Central nervous system ; Single dose ; Human ; Normal ; Dihydropyridine derivative ;

Mots-clés français / French Keywords

Aténolol ; Nifédipine ; Antihypertenseur ; Psychomotricité ; Toxicité ; Antagoniste calcium ; Bloquant β-adrénergique ; Système nerveux central ; Dose unique ; Homme ; Normal ; Dihydropyridine dérivé ;

Mots-clés espagnols / Spanish Keywords

Antihipertensivo ; Psicomotricidad ; Toxicidad ; Antagonista calcio ; Bloqueador β-adrenérgico ; Sistema nervioso central ; Dosis única ; Hombre ; Normal ; Dihidropiridine derivado ;

Localisation / Location

INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 13739, 35400005378816.0100