Nadolol

Nadolol (Corgard, Solgol, Anabet, SQ11725) is a non-selective beta-adrenergic antagonist with antihypertensive and antiarrhythmic activities.

Nadolol is a new beta-adrenoceptor blocking agent without intrinsic sympathomimetic action and with an extremely long plasma half life[2]. Nadolol antagonizes isoproterenol-induced tachycardia and ouabain-induced arrhythmias in cats, antagonizes coronary artery ligation-induced ventricular fibrillation and suppresses ventricular ectopic activity during vagal stimulation in dogs[1].

In several experimental models (mongrel cats and mongrel dogs), nadolol is effective against cardiac arrhythmias. This anti-arrhythmic activity appears to be related to fi-adrenergic receptor blockade, an action that would antagonize the ability of catecholamines to induce arrhythmias by alteration of cardiac automaticity and conductivity. It is also effective in preventing ventricular fibrillation induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Nadolol has been demonstrated to have a half-life of 4 to 5 hr in animals. It does not block neuromuscular transmission at the junction of the vagus and heart. Furthermore, nadolol does not depress excitability of the heart, as demonstrated by the lack of effect on diastolic threshold in the intact heart of the dog[1]. It is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and remarkalely well-tolerated when given in extremely large doses[3].

[1] Dale B.Evans, et al. European Journal of Pharmacology. 1976, 35(1):17-27. [2] Frithz G. Curr Med Res Opin. 1978, 5(5):383-7. [3] Lee RJ, et al. Eur J Pharmacol. 1975, 33(2):371-82.