Oxprenolol is a highly effective medical drug. It belongs to the class of active substances known as beta blockers and has been used since 1996, among other things, for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension). The substance is processed in both mono and combination preparations.
What is oxprenolol?
Oxprenolol is a medical agent used in human medicine. It was developed in 1996 and has since been used to treat cardiovascular diseases such as arterial hypertension (high blood pressure). Due to its pharmacological properties, the whitish to crystalline powder is classified as a beta blocker. These are drugs or active ingredients that block the release of the stress hormones norepinephrine and epinephrine by blocking the body’s own adrenoceptors. This results in a reduction in blood pressure and heart rate. Oxprenolol is found in both mono and combination preparations. The latter are drugs that combine different active ingredients and can therefore be used for a variety of diseases. In chemistry, oxprenolol is described by the molecular formula C 15 – H 23 – N – O 3, which corresponds to a moral mass of 265.35 g/mol.
Pharmacological action
Oxprenolol basically gains its efficacy by binding to the so-called β1-adrenoceptors, which is typical for the drug class of beta-blockers. This binding results in inhibition of the receptors, which in turn prevents the release of the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine. These are considered stress hormones because they are secreted primarily under stress. They cause an increase in heart rate. If their release is therefore prevented, there is a reduction in blood pressure and heart rate. Nevertheless, oxprenolol differs from most other beta-blockers in terms of its effect. This is because, unlike these, oxprenolol does not exhibit selectivity with regard to the β1-adrenoceptors to which it binds. Thus, the drug does not bind specifically to certain adrenoceptors. In addition, oxprenolol is also intrinsically sympatomimetically active. This is a property also exhibited by the related beta-blockers pindolol and acebutolol. However, in terms of the intensity of its efficacy, oxprenolol is similar to propranolol. Pharmacologically, it should be emphasized that oxprenolol is fat-soluble and is subject to a first-pass effect. This describes the first phase (first pass) of the conversion of an active ingredient in the liver. Accordingly, the bioavailability of oxprenolol is described very differently in the medical literature. It depends on numerous factors and ranges between 20 % and 70 %. The degradation of the active substance or its metabolization occurs via the liver.
Medical application and use
Oxprenolol is usually administered orally in the form of film-coated tablets, which the patient takes independently. However, the substance itself is subject to pharmacy and prescription requirements in Europe. It is therefore only available from a pharmacy following a doctor’s prescription. Since its approval in 1996, typical indications for oxprenolol include various cardiovascular diseases such as arterial hypertension (high blood pressure), hyperkinetic heart syndrome, cardiac arrhythmias, coronary heart disease and heart failure. There is also an indication after a heart attack. In this case, oxprenolol is used as reinfarction prophylaxis, so that the focus is primarily on preventive factors. The use of oxprenolol in German-speaking countries is limited to Switzerland. Here, the active ingredient is used primarily for the preparation Slow-Trasitensin. The best-known monopreparation that functions on an oxprenolol basis is marketed under the trade name Trasicor.
Risks and side effects
Because oxprenolol is a medical drug, adverse side effects may occur during therapy. However, this is not mandatory. In medical studies, oxprenolol has been associated in particular with severe fatigue, unpleasant dizziness, and headache. The development of a pathogenic undershooting of the heart rate corresponding to the average age (known in the medical world as bradycardia) may also be attributable to the active substance.In addition, patients report cold fingers, orthostatic difficulties, and sleep disturbances. Oxprenolol must not be administered or taken if a contraindication is known. This refers to the fact that there is a medical contraindication which, from a doctor’s point of view, makes treatment inappropriate. Such a contraindication exists in the case of acute hypotension, intolerance to the active substance oxprenolol and bradycardia. In addition, interactions with other medications may occur, so the attending physician should always be informed of all medications taken (over-the-counter and prescription).
