COMPARISON OF PROPRANOLOL AND METOPROLOL IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HYPER-THYROIDISM

1 Propranolol and metoprolol were both effective in controlling the symptoms and signs of hyperthyroidism. 2 Propranolol caused a highly significant increase in serum reverse T3 concentrations with lesser changes in other serum thyroid hormone levels, whereas metoprolol did not have this effect. 3 Steady‐state plasma propranolol and metoprolol levels showed marked inter‐individual variation. Metoprolol concentrations showed relatively little intra‐individual variability, and could be related to the clinical efficacy of the drug, whereas no such relationship was demonstrated for propranolol. 1979 The British Pharmacological Society