Clinical toxicology of propranolol and metoprolol overdose in adults


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Özcan F., ALTUNTAŞ M., Katı C.

Journal of Experimental and Clinical Medicine (Turkey), vol.39, no.4, pp.1241-1245, 2022 (Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 39 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.52142/omujecm.39.4.53
  • Journal Name: Journal of Experimental and Clinical Medicine (Turkey)
  • Journal Indexes: Scopus, Academic Search Premier, EMBASE
  • Page Numbers: pp.1241-1245
  • Keywords: Beta blocker poisoning, emergency medicine, metoprolol, propranolol
  • Ondokuz Mayıs University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists potentially risk causing fatal poisoning when taken over the daily recommended doses. The aim of this study is to investigate the differences and potential dose-related effects of propranolol and metoprolol toxicity depending on their selectivity. This 7-year-long retrospective cohort study was conducted among on 43 adult patients who received overdose propranolol (n= 22) and metoprolol (n= 21). Patients were divided into groups, with a daily overdose ≥ 240 mg/day for propranolol, ≥ 200 mg/day for metoprolol, and toxic dose ≥ 400 mg/day for both drugs. The groups were compared in terms of admission symptoms, heart rate, blood pressure, electrocardiography findings, cardiovascular effects, toxicity severity scores, treatment, follow-up times, and outcomes. Thirty-four (79.1%) of the patients who exceeded the daily dose were female, and there were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of gender (p= 0,281). The mean age was 29 (18-72) years, and there were no statistically significant differences between groups in terms of mean age (p= 0.192). When the vitals of the patients who exceeded the daily dose was examined, it was found that 23 (54.8%) patients had bradycardia, and 20 (46.5%) patients had hypotension. 65.2% of the bradycardia patients and 70% of the hypotensive patients were in the propranolol overdose group (p= 0.030 p= 0.021, respectively). Mean dose of symptomatic propranolol overdose patients (n= 12) was found as 1256 (280-2000) mg, mean dose of symptomatic metoprolol overdose patients (n= 11) was found as 559 (250-1000) mg. When toxic dose (≥ 400 mg) intakes were compared, more cardiovascular effects were observed in the propranolol group (p= 0.014). As a result, it was determined that Propranolol overdose has more cardiovascular effects than metoprolol overdose and there is a linear dose-symptom relationship for Propranolol.