Search PubMedSearch

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Propafenone”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Electrophysiological effects of propafenone in untreated and propafenone-pretreated guinea-pig atrial and ventricular muscle fibres.

The electrophysiological effects of propafenone (10(-7) to 10(-4) M) were studied on guinea-pig isolated atrial and ventricular muscle fibres obtained from untreated animals and animals pretreated with propafenone, 3 and 10 mg kg-1, for 28 days. In untreated atria propafenone produced a dose-dependent decrease in the rate and maximum following frequency, prolonged the sinus node recovery time and reduced the maximum chronotropic responses to isoprenaline. In untreated atrial and ventricular muscle fibres propafenone depressed action potential amplitude and Vmax, reduced the resting membrane potential and prolonged the action potential duration (APD) and the effective refractory period, lengthening the effective refractory period relative to APD. Propafenone depressed the amplitude and Vmax and shortened the duration of the slow action potentials induced by isoprenaline and caffeine in K-depolarized papillary muscles. Pretreatment with propafenone reduced atrial rate, but did not modify the action potential characteristics compared to the values obtained in untreated atria. Further addition of propafenone produced similar but more marked changes in untreated atria. In ventricular muscle fibres pretreated with 3 mg kg-1, action potential characteristics before and after further addition of propafenone were similar to those obtained in untreated fibres. However, muscles pretreated with 10 mg kg-1 exhibited a significant prolongation of the APD compared to that in untreated muscles or those pretreated with 3 mg kg-1; further addition of propafenone shortened the APD even when this parameter was of similar value to those observed in the other two series of experiments. It is concluded that even though the effects of propafenone are similar to those of quinidine (class I antiarrhythmic), it also exhibited class II and class IV actions. In pretreated animals a prolongation of the APD (class III action) could also be involved in the antiarrhythmic effects of the drug.

Animals

[Digoxin-propafenone interaction: values and limitations of plasma determination of the 2 drugs. Anti-arrhythmia effectiveness of propafenone].

Propafenon's influence on the pharmacokinetic and actions of digitalis and viceversa have been evaluated in 27 patients (25 with ventricular hyperkinetic arrhythmias and 2 with paroxismal atrial fibrillation). Patients were divided in two groups according to whether the drug firstly administered were digoxin or propafenon. Plasmatic digoxin and/or propafenon's concentrations, these last performed only in 12 patients, were determined before and during the association and after propafenon's interruption at 7.55-9-11 and at 3-8 p.m. During drug's association area under the plasmatic digoxin concentration curve (AUC 12h) increased on the average by 13.8% (from 19.27 +/- 6.002 ng hours/ml to 21.94 +/- 6.198 ng hours/ml: P less than 0.05) and by 19% at the first hour. Neverthless individual behaviour was not homogeneous since the plasmatic digoxin concentration (PDC) increased in 22 cases (81.4%) and decreased in 5 (18.6%). In 6 patients mean increase was 38.8% (from 16.72 +/- 3.0 ng hours/ml to 23.21 +/- 5.44 ng hours/ml) without signs of digoxin intoxication. Another patient with congestive heart failure and basal PDC 1.87 ng/ml experienced digoxin poisoning with fatal ventricular fibrillation after propafenon. Digoxin administration in the second group's patients produced a not significant increase of plasmatic propafenon concentration (PPC). There was a good correlation among propafenon's absolute amount and plasmatic concentration and antiarrhythmic effect and no correlation among PPC and body-weight related dose. Propafenon's to digitalis association induced, in propafenon's steady state, significant P-R longation from 170 to 190 ms (P less than 0.01) but HR, QRS and QTc didn't show any important change (P greater than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of propafenone in the prophylaxis of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. UK Propafenone PSVT Study Group.

BACKGROUND: Few antiarrhythmic agents have been shown in randomized controlled trials to be effective and well tolerated in the prophylaxis of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Propafenone, a class IC anti-arrhythmic agent with weak beta-adrenoceptor antagonist properties, has shown promise in preliminary clinical studies. METHODS AND RESULTS: A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the efficacy and tolerability of propafenone was undertaken in 100 patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia ([PSVT] n = 52) or atrial fibrillation/flutter ([PAF] n = 48) who had recorded two or more symptomatic arrhythmia recurrences by transtelephonic ECG monitoring during a 3-month drug-free observation period. Patients were randomized into two consecutive crossover periods of propafenone (300 mg BID) versus placebo followed by 300 mg TID propafenone versus placebo. Analysis was based on the time to treatment failure, defined as the interval from treatment onset to the occurrence of either ECG-documented arrhythmia or an intolerable adverse event. With a proportional-hazards model, we determined the relative risk (95% confidence interval) of treatment failure after the achievement of steady-state drug levels for placebo compared with propafenone 300 mg BID to be 6.8 (2.2 to 21.2, P < .001, n = 45) for PSVT and 6.0 (1.8 to 20.0, P = .004, n = 30) for PAF. Due to a greater incidence of adverse events on high-dose propafenone, the relative risks of receiving placebo rather than propafenone 300 TID were only 2.2 (0.9 to 5.3, P = .1, n = 34) for PSVT and 1.9 (0.7 to 4.7, P = .2, n = 25) for PAF. However, if adverse events were excluded in the high-dose comparison, relative risks for arrhythmia recurrence were 15.0 (2.0 to 113, P = .009) for PSVT and incalculable (no preferences for placebo, P = .0002) for PAF. One episode of wide-complex tachycardia was documented during propafenone therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Propafenone is of value in the prophylaxis of both PSVT and PAF. A dose of 300 mg BID is effective and well tolerated. A larger dose of 300 mg TID causes more adverse effects but may be more effective in those who can tolerate it.

Adolescent

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluation of propafenone in patients with ventricular arrhythmia. Propafenone Research Group.

Propafenone, a class IC antiarrhythmic agent, is metabolized into two active metabolites: 5-hydroxypropafenone (5-OHP) and N-depropylpropafenone (NDPP). In a placebo-controlled, double-blind study, we examined trough plasma concentrations of propafenone and its two metabolites in 169 subjects. Patients were randomized to one of five parallel treatment groups: placebo and 337.5, 450, 675, or 900 mg/day propafenone with 24-hour ambulatory ECG monitorings, 12-lead ECGs, and plasma samples obtained at frequent intervals. Nonlinear kinetics were noted for propafenone and NDPP but not for 5-OHP. The ratio of NDPP to propafenone was about 10% at all doses, but the ratio of 5-OHP to propafenone decreased from 33% at 337.5 mg/day to 18% at 900 mg/day. Propafenone suppression of ventricular ectopy was dependent on concentration, with pairs and VT beats selectively suppressed at lower concentrations than VPBs. The PR interval and QRS duration increased significantly at propafenone concentrations above 100 ng/ml, while minimal heart rate slowing was noted at concentrations above 1,000 ng/ml.

Adult

Minimal effective concentration values of propafenone and 5-hydroxy-propafenone in acute and chronic therapy.

We evaluated the antiarrhythmic efficacy and the minimal effective concentrations of propafenone and its metabolite 5-hydroxy-propafenone during a) acute intravenous infusion (1.5 mg/kg in bolus followed by 45 minutes infusion), b) an acute oral single-dose test (450 mg), and c) 14-day chronic therapy (300 mg tid) followed by a washout. Oxidative metabolism was assessed by a debrisoquine oral test in every patient. Eleven patients with stable ventricular premature beats (VPBs) greater than or equal to 300/hr and Lown class greater than or equal to 3 completed the study. The main results emphasized a certain discrepancy between the clinical effect of the acute intravenous infusion (efficacy in 5 out of 11 patients) and of the acute oral test and chronic therapy (efficacy in 11/11), with a time lag of the ECG changes during the acute intravenous infusion. The minimal effective concentrations were lower after acute oral administration compared with chronic treatment both for propafenone (200 +/- 189 ng/ml vs. 492 +/- 530 ng/ml; p less than 0.05) and for 5-hydroxy-propafenone (82 +/- 40 ng/ml vs. 149 +/- 80 ng/ml; p less than 0.02). A linear correlation was demonstrated between drug/metabolite ratios of propafenone and debrisoquine, either after acute oral (r = 0.91) or after chronic administration (r = 0.84). The pharmacokinetics of propafenone was nonlinear and showed wide interindividual variations.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Administration, Oral

Comparative electrophysiological effects of propafenone, 5-hydroxy-propafenone, and N-depropylpropafenone on guinea pig ventricular muscle fibers.

Propafenone (Pf) is a class I antiarrhythmic drug that can be given both orally and intravenously. In order to examine whether its two major metabolites [5-hydroxypropafenone (5-OH-Pf) and N-depropylpropafenone (N-DP-Pf)] possess pharmacodynamical properties, we compared their electrophysiological effects to those of the parent drug on papillary muscle fibers from guinea pig ventricular myocardium. After baseline action potential and refractory period characteristics were measured at different pacing rates, the tissue preparations were superfused with either Pf, 5-OH-Pf, or N-DP-Pf at five different concentrations and electrophysiological characteristics were studied again. The maximal rate of depolarization (Vmax) was depressed by the three compounds only at the highest concentration, although the effect of N-DP-Pf was slightly less than the other two. Refractory periods were altered only by the highest concentration of 5-OH-Pf. Propafenone and N-DP-Pf exhibited equally slow on-set/off-set kinetics of the sodium channel block, whereas those of 5-OH-Pf were twice as long, which seems to suggest a slower rate of dissociation of the latter from the inactivated sodium channels. Thus, 5-OH-Pf and N-DP-Pf comply with the definition of the class IC antiarrhythmic drugs. The cumulative in vivo effects of the two metabolites and of the parent drug could have far reaching clinical implications, especially in the genetically predisposed extensive metabolizing subject.

Action Potentials

Enantiomer/enantiomer interaction of (S)- and (R)-propafenone for cytochrome P450IID6-catalyzed 5-hydroxylation: in vitro evaluation of the mechanism.

Many drugs are used as racemates, and the enantiomers may differ in terms of pharmacological properties and disposition. Stereoselective disposition of the enantiomers can arise from metabolism of the enantiomers via different routes catalyzed by different enzymes. In contrast, the enantiomers may be metabolized by the same enzyme at different rates. In the latter case, the enantiomers can compete for this metabolic step, giving rise to the possibility of an enantiomer/enantiomer interaction. We have chosen the antiarrhythmic propafenone, for which in vivo data indicated an interaction between (S)- and (R)-propafenone, as a model substance to study the mechanism underlying that interaction in human liver microsomes. We used the cytochrome P450IID6-mediated 5-hydroxylation of propafenone as a model pathway, because this metabolic step constitutes the major route of biotransformation of propafenone. The Michaelis-Menten kinetics for 5-hydroxylation were determined after incubation of (R)- and (S)-propafenone and a pseudoracemate consisting of (S)-[2H4]propafenone and (R)-propafenone. Inhibition experiments were performed using (S)-[2H4]propafenone as an inhibitor of the 5-hydroxylation of (R)-propafenone, and vice versa. The kinetic model of mixed alternative substrates was used to simulate inhibition experiments. Experimental data were compared with those predicted by this model. We observed a substantial stereoselectivity after incubation of the individual enantiomers [(S)-propafenone: Vmax, 10.2 pmol/micrograms/hr, and Km, 5.3 microM; (R)-propafenone: Vmax, 5.5 pmol/micrograms/hr, and Km, 3.0 microM]. In contrast, no substrate stereoselectivity was observed after incubation of the pseudoracemate [3.1 pmol/micrograms/hr for (S)-[2H4]propafenone and 3.3 pmol/micrograms/hr for (R)-propafenone]. Application of the model revealed Ki values of 2.9 and 5.2 microM for the inhibition of 5-hydroxylation of (S)-[2H4]-propafenone by (R)-propafenone and for inhibition of 5-hydroxylation of (R)-propafenone by (S)-[2H4]-propafenone, respectively. The predicted and the experimental data were in good agreement, and both indicated the mode of inhibition to be competitive. In conclusion, the enantiomers of propafenone interact with respect to 5-hydroxylation, with (R)-propafenone being a more potent inhibitor than the S-enantiomer with respect to cytochrome P450IID6-mediated 5-hydroxylation. Because beta-blocking properties of propafenone reside in the S-enantiomer, inhibition of metabolism of this enantiomer by (R)-propafenone may have therapeutic consequences.

Adolescent

Propafenone. A reappraisal of its pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and therapeutic use in cardiac arrhythmias.

Propafenone is an orally active sodium channel blocking agent with beta-adrenoceptor antagonist and weak calcium antagonist activity. The pharmacokinetic profile of propafenone is complex, characterised as typically nonlinear, saturable, stereoselective and dependent on both dose and debrisoquin metaboliser phenotype; individualised dosage titration is required. Both placebo- and drug-controlled studies have confirmed the efficacy of propafenone in the treatment of premature ventricular complexes, ventricular couplets and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia; in a large meta-analysis, propafenone together with amiodarone, flecainide and encainide were significantly more effective in the control of ventricular ectopy than other antiarrhythmic agents. However, the use of propafenone in these indications, like that of other antiarrhythmic agents, is likely to be limited to patients with a favourable risk-to-benefit ratio. Propafenone has also demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of malignant ventricular arrhythmias (ventricular fibrillation and sustained ventricular tachycardia); preliminary mortality data obtained with propafenone have been encouraging in this patient group. In addition, propafenone has a favourable noncardiac tolerability profile and beta-adrenoceptor antagonist activity, which may offer advantages in some specific patient groups. The area of research concerning propafenone which has shown the greatest expansion over the past 5 years is in the treatment of supraventricular arrhythmias. Propafenone has marked efficacy in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and has been recommended as a first-line prophylactic agent in those with rapid anterograde conduction. Propafenone is also effective in the conversion of atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm, although comparative studies are required to determine advantages over more established agents. Propafenone use has been successfully extended to children with limited data demonstrating consistent efficacy in the control of junctional ectopic tachycardia. As with all antiarrhythmic agents, propafenone has the potential to induce arrhythmias. Comparative studies are required to assess in more detail the cardiac tolerability profile of propafenone against other class Ic agents. In conclusion, propafenone offers a broad spectrum of activity in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, although its use in patients with potentially malignant arrhythmias will remain limited for the present. Due to its unique pharmacodynamic profile, propafenone deserves consideration as an individual agent.

Animals

An enantiomer-enantiomer interaction of (S)- and (R)-propafenone modifies the effect of racemic drug therapy.

BACKGROUND: Therapy with racemic compounds produces effects that can be attributed to both (S)- and (R)-enantiomers. Here we have tested the hypothesis that an enantiomer-enantiomer interaction would modulate the effects of treatment with a racemate, the antiarrhythmic propafenone. Previous studies have shown that while the enantiomers of propafenone exert similar sodium channel-blocking (QRS widening) effects, it is the (S)-enantiomer that produces beta-blockade; moreover, we have demonstrated recently that (R)-propafenone inhibits the metabolism of (S)-propafenone in vitro. METHODS AND RESULTS: This single-blind, randomized study compared the effects of (R/S)-, (S)-, (R)-propafenone (150 mg q 6 hours for 4 days) and placebo on QRS duration (delta QRS) and on maximum exercise heart rate (delta HRmax), an index of beta-blockade. The clearance of (S)-propafenone was significantly lower (-55 +/- 24%, P < .001) during treatment with (R/S)-propafenone than with the (S)-enantiomer alone, and delta HRmax was significantly altered during (R/S)-propafenone (-8.8 +/- 6.6 beats per minute; P < .01) and during (S)-propafenone (-4.3 +/- 4.8 beats per minute; P < .01) but not during (R)-propafenone (-1.8 +/- 6.4 beats per minute) or placebo (0.3 +/- 7.1 beats per minute). In contrast, (R/S)-, (S)-, and (R)-propafenone all prolonged QRS compared with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that (R)-propafenone impairs the disposition of (S)-propafenone in humans. As a result, the beta-blocking effects of 150 mg of racemic propafenone (75 mg of the [S]-enantiomer) were more pronounced than those of 150 mg of (S)-propafenone alone. Thus, the effects of racemic drug therapy are not necessarily those predicted by summation of the effects of the individual enantiomers.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists

Electrophysiologic, inotropic and antiarrhythmic effects of propafenone, 5-hydroxypropafenone and N-depropylpropafenone.

We compared the electrophysiologic, inotropic and antiarrhythmic properties of propafenone and two metabolites, 5-hydroxy (5-OH) propafenone and N-depropyl (N-DP) propafenone. In 18 canine Purkinje fibers with normal maximum diastolic potentials, all drugs (1 x 10(-8) to 1 x 10(-5) M) reduced action potential amplitude and duration. However, propafenone and 5-OH propafenone reduced Vmax in a use-dependent fashion at a lower concentration than N-DP propafenone. In 16 Purkinje fibers, slow response action potentials were induced by 22 mM K+ and isoproterenol, 1 x 10(-6) M. Vmax was comparably reduced by all compounds at 1 x 10(-5) M, but action potential amplitude was not affected by 5-OH propafenone. In 16 other Purkinje fibers in which automaticity at low levels of membrane potential was induced by BaCl2 (0.25 mM), only 5-OH propafenone was effective in slowing the automatic rate at therapeutic concentrations (3 micrograms/ml). In 15 guinea pig papillary muscles, all three drugs had negative inotropic effects at concentrations greater than or equal to 1 x 10(-6) M. In conscious dogs with sustained ventricular tachycardia 24 hr after infarction, we injected propafenone or a metabolite through an atrial cannula. At similar plasma levels, neither propafenone (n = 6) nor N-DP propafenone (n = 6) suppressed the arrhythmia, whereas 5-OH propafenone eliminated ventricular tachycardia in four of six dogs, and was more effective against monomorphic than polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. Hence, the two major metabolites of propafenone have important electrophysiologic effects, and 5-OH propafenone is more potent than the parent compound as a antiarrhythmic drug in the 24-hr Harris dog.

Action Potentials

Effect of pH on the myocardial uptake and pharmacodynamics of propafenone in the isolated rabbit heart.

The influence of pH on the myocardial disposition of propafenone was studied in isolated perfused rabbit hearts. Five pH groups were evaluated: pH 7.0, 7.2, 7.4, 7.6, and 7.8. Hearts were perfused with a modified Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing approximately 100 ng/ml propafenone. Myocardial propafenone accumulation was determined from differences in the aortic perfusate and coronary sinus effluent propafenone concentrations. The myocardial accumulation of propafenone was significantly pH dependent. The steady-state propafenone concentration increased from 5.9 +/- 1.3 micrograms/g at pH 7.0 to 13.2 +/- 3.8 micrograms/g at pH 7.4 and 24.2 +/- 3.5 micrograms/g at pH 7.6. The time to reach steady-state myocardial propafenone levels increased proportionately with the increased propafenone levels. Steady-state was not reached by 150 min at pH of 7.6 or 7.8. Percent change in QRS duration was measured to monitor the electrophysiologic effect of propafenone. The relationship between the myocardial drug concentration and the measured changes in QRS also was evaluated. The myocardial concentration-effect relationships were linear over the observed myocardial concentration range. The slopes of these concentration-effect relationships were similar for three groups (pH 7.0, 7.2, and 7.4). Over the pH range 7.0-7.4, the steady-state effect increased as a function of pH and correlated with the differences in propafenone steady-state myocardial concentrations. However, at alkalotic pH, the concentration-effect relationship was shifted to the right; less effect was observed than might be predicted for the myocardial propafenone concentration. Thus, small changes in pH may significantly alter the myocardial distribution and pharmacodynamics of propafenone.

Animals

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions of propafenone and cimetidine.

The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the extensively metabolized antiarrhythmic agent propafenone were assessed alone and during concomitant administration of cimetidine. Twelve healthy subjects were given successively the following treatments: propafenone 225 mg q8h plus cimetidine placebo; cimetidine 400 mg q8h plus propafenone placebo; and propafenone 225 mg plus cimetidine 400 mg q8h. After a minimum of 5 days on each regimen, plasma drug concentrations and electrocardiogram conduction intervals were measured during a drug washout period. The maximum concentration of propafenone in plasma was 993 +/- 532 ng/mL when propafenone was given alone compared with 1230 +/- 591 ng/mL when propafenone was given with cimetidine (P = .0622). Differences in tmax, t1/2, and Cp ss did not approach statistical significance when propafenone alone was compared with propafenone plus cimetidine. When compared with cimetidine, propafenone significantly increased the PR interval from 161 +/- 5 msec to 192 +/- 6 msec (P less than .01) and the QRS duration from 89 +/- 3 msec to 98 +/- 4 msec (P less than .01). Combination therapy caused a modest additional increase in QRS duration to 103 +/- 3 msec (P less than .01). In conclusion, cimetidine caused small changes in propafenone pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; but these changes are unlikely to be clinically important.

Adult

The role of genetically determined polymorphic drug metabolism in the beta-blockade produced by propafenone.

Propranolol and the sodium-channel-blocking antiarrhythmic agent propafenone share structural features. Although propafenone's beta-blocking actions are readily demonstrable in vitro, clinically significant beta-blockade occurs inconsistently in vivo. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that genetically determined variations in the biotransformation of propafenone to its 5-hydroxy metabolite account for variations in the drug's beta-blocking action. We assessed beta-blockade by measuring the reduction in tachycardia produced by boluses of isoproterenol and treadmill exercise in 14 normal subjects during treatment with placebo and with 150, 225, and 300 mg of propafenone every eight hours for five days each. Nine subjects (with the extensive-metabolizer phenotype) metabolized most of the propafenone to 5-hydroxy propafenone, and five (with the poor-metabolizer phenotype) did not produce this metabolite. At the lower dosages, beta-blockade was present in both groups but was significantly greater in the subjects with poor metabolism, in whom deficient 5-hydroxylation was associated with higher plasma propafenone levels. At the highest dose, a similar degree of beta-blockade was observed in the two groups. Propafenone also had a higher affinity for beta 2 receptors in vitro than either of its major metabolites. We conclude that the degree of beta-blockade during propafenone therapy reflects genetically determined variations in the metabolism of the parent drug, which is necessary for beta-blockade, and that this action of propafenone is considerably enhanced in patients with deficient 5-hydroxylation of propafenone.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists

Stereoselective interactions of (R)- and (S)-propafenone with the cardiac sodium channel.

The specific interactions of both (R)- and (S)-propafenone with the cardiac sodium channel were studied with patch clamp techniques in the whole-cell recording mode at reduced extracellular Na+ on guinea pig ventricular cells. Both (R)- and (S)-propafenone (10 microM) shifted the membrane potential required for half-maximal steady-state inactivation (E0.5) of the cardiac sodium channel to considerably more negative membrane potentials [E0.5 = -70.8 +/- 2.9 mV for controls vs. -85 +/- 3.1 mV for (R)-propafenone and -91.9 +/- 1.7 mV for (S)-propafenone]. (S)-Propafenone at a concentration of 10 microM is more effective in shifting the h infinity curve of the cardiac sodium channel. Recovery from inactivation of the cardiac sodium current is prolonged by orders of magnitude by both stereoenantiomeric forms [time constants were estimated to be 38 +/- 15 ms at -90 mV vs. 46.5 +/- 14.3 s for (R)-propafenone and 74.2 +/- 37.9 for (S)-propafenone]. Development of block occurs mainly through the inactivated channel conformation for both (R)- and (S)-propafenone. Development of block of inactivated cardiac sodium channels occurs with time constants of 15.9 +/- 3.9 s for (R)-propafenone and 19.7 +/- 7.3 s for (S)-propafenone at 10 microM. Action potential duration and possible stereoselective interaction with ion transport systems other than sodium channels may influence the block developed by either (R)- or (S)-propafenone at a given concentration and beating frequency indirectly through the membrane potential.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Drug interaction between propafenone and metoprolol.

1 The steady-state plasma concentrations of metoprolol and propafenone were determined in patients being treated with one of these drugs alone and during combined treatment with both drugs. In addition, single dose studies with metoprolol, propafenone and the combination of both drugs were performed in healthy volunteers to determine the pharmacokinetics and the time course of beta-adrenoceptor blocking activity. 2 In four patients being treated with metoprolol first and subsequently with propafenone in addition steady-state levels of metoprolol increased two to five fold with simultaneous treatment with propafenone. 3 In four patients being treated with the drug combination first and thereafter with propafenone alone no changes in the steady-state levels of propafenone were observed between both treatment periods. 4 Adverse effects of the drug combination were observed in two patients (one patient experienced severe nightmares and the other left ventricular failure). 5 When single oral doses of metoprolol (50 mg) and propafenone (150 mg) and the combination of both were administered to healthy subjects, an approximately two-fold decrease of the oral clearance of metoprolol was seen when propafenone was given in addition. No conclusive changes in the pharmacokinetics of propafenone could be detected in the presence of metoprolol. 6 Duration of beta-adrenoceptor blocking activity of a single dose of metoprolol in healthy volunteers as measured by reduction of exercise-induced tachycardia increased when propafenone was given in addition. 7 The dose of metoprolol should be reduced when propafenone is given in addition.

Adult

Voltage- and time-dependent inhibitory effects on rat aortic and porcine coronary artery contraction induced by propafenone and quinidine.

1. Class I antiarrhythmic drugs (e.g. Na+ channel blockers) such as propafenone and quinidine also inhibit voltage-gated Ca2+ and K+ channels. In the present paper the voltage- and time-dependent inhibitory effects of propafenone and quinidine were studied on depolarization-induced vascular contractions and 45Ca2+ uptake in isolated endothelium denuded rat aorta and pig left descending coronary artery. 2. Quinidine and propafenone (10(-7) M -5 x 10(-5) M) produced a concentration-dependent relaxation of the contractions induced by 80 mM KCl. Propafenone was significantly more potent (P < 0.05) than quinidine in both rat aorta and pig coronary arteries but both drugs more potent (P < 0.05) in relaxing rat aorta than pig coronary arteries. In rat aortic rings, the relaxant effects of propafenone were unaffected by pretreatment with the Na+ channel blocker, tetrodotoxin. 3. The degree of inhibition produced after prolonged exposure (40 min) to propafenone and quinidine differed as the time of depolarization with 80 mM KCl was increased. Quinidine (3 x 10(-6) M, 10(-5) M and 3 x 10(-5) M) not only produced an inhibition at the very early stage of contraction, but also a time-dependent inhibition was observed. In contrast, propafenone (10(-6) M, 3 x 10(-6) M and 10(-5) M) produced a more marked concentration-dependent early block but only a mild time-dependent inhibition.4. The voltage-dependence of propafenone- and quinidine-induced inhibition, was studied in rat aorta and coronary arteries which had been incubated in 5 or 40mM KCl Ca2+-free solution and then contracted by changing the bath solution to 100 mM KCI and 2 mM CaCl2 solution. The inhibitor effects of quinidine were significantly enhanced (P <0.05) when the preparations were preincubated in 40 mMKCl (depolarizing) solution. In contrast, the effects of propafenone were quite similar in 5 or in 40 mMKCI solution.5. Quinidine, 10-5 M, produced a greater inhibition (P<0.05) of 100 mM KCl-stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake in aortic rings preincubated in depolarizing as compared to normal solution. In contrast, the inhibition produced by 3 x 10-6 M propafenone was similar in aortic rings incubated in 5 or 40 mM KCl solution.6.It is concluded that both quinidine and propafenone inhibited vascular smooth muscle contraction which could be attributed to reduced Ca2+ entry. The voltage- and time-dependent inhibitory effects of quinidine may reflect an increased binding of the drug to Ca2+ channels at depolarized potentials.

Animals