Pharmacokinetic Drug Interactions with Propranolol

Propranolol is widely used in clinical practice and is frequently administered along with other drugs. The co-administration of propranolol and other drugs may result in either propranolol-induced changes in the disposition of other drugs or in effects of the other drugs on the pharmacokinetics of propranolol. These changes may be due to alteration in absorption, metabolism or to haemodynamic effects such as altered liver blood flow. Understanding the pharmacokinetics of propranolol is important to the rational interpretation of the effects of other drugs on propranolol's disposition. The absorption, protein binding and metabolism of propranolol may all be affected by the co-administration of other drugs. Induction of propranolol's metabolism by halofenate, phenytoin, phenobarbitone, rifampicin and alcohol have all been implicated in altering propranolol clearance, while inhibition of hepatic drug metabolising enzymes by chlorpromazine and cimetidine appear to reduce propranolol clearance. Propranolol may also affect the metabolism of other drugs such as antipyrine, chlorpromazine, theophylline and thyroid hormones. Suggestions that propranolol may alter quinidine's elimination have not been substantiated. By reducing liver blood flow propranolol may reduce the systemic clearance of other high extraction drugs such as lignocaine.