A Study on the Haemodynamic Interactions between Activated Charcoal and Propranolol/atenolol in Normal Human Subjects.

A random, observer blind, crossover design of study was undertaken in twelve normal male volunteers. Both propranolol (40 mg) and atenolol (50 mg) in single dose oral administration had significantly reduced the heart rate, systolic blood pressure and the value for double product under resting and postexercise conditions compared to the corresponding pretreatment values. Orally administered activated charcoal (15 g) had abolished the haemodynamic effects of propranolol but failed to do so against atenolol under both resting and postexercise periods. The results suggest the possibility of successful antidotal intervention with activated charcoal in the case of propranolol overdosage only.