An older beta-blocker withdrawn over serious side effects
Practolol
An older beta-blocker, now of historical interest only, withdrawn after causing a serious syndrome affecting the eyes, skin and lining membranes.
What is Practolol?
Practolol is an older beta-blocker, a type of medicine that slows the heart and was used for heart rhythm and blood-pressure problems. Its dominant and defining feature is that it was withdrawn because it caused a serious 'oculomucocutaneous syndrome', damaging the eyes, the skin and internal membranes, including a condition called sclerosing peritonitis affecting the lining of the abdomen. Because of this, it is no longer used and is now of historical interest only. Modern beta-blockers have replaced it.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Practolol — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Practolol is a beta-blocker, a group of medicines that block the effect of adrenaline on the heart, slowing the heart rate and easing the workload on the heart. It was once used for heart rhythm disturbances and related heart conditions. However, it became one of the most important examples in medicine of a drug withdrawn for safety reasons, after it was found to cause a distinctive and serious group of side effects. It is no longer available for routine use and is discussed today mainly as a historical lesson in drug safety, with modern beta-blockers used instead.
How it works
Like other beta-blockers, practolol works by blocking beta receptors that adrenaline and similar chemicals act on, particularly in the heart. This slows the heart rate, steadies the rhythm and reduces how hard the heart has to work, which is why it was used for heart conditions. Its harmful effects, however, were not about this intended action: it triggered an immune-related reaction affecting the eyes, skin and lining membranes of the body, which appeared after a period of use and was severe enough to lead to its withdrawal.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Withdrawn.
An older beta-blocker once used in the UK for heart conditions, withdrawn after it caused a serious 'oculomucocutaneous syndrome'; it is of historical interest only.
Practical use
How to take Practolol
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Practolol is no longer in routine use, so this information is for historical understanding only.
- If you believe you took it in the past, mention this to your doctor, particularly if you have eye, skin or abdominal symptoms.
- Beta-blockers in general should never be stopped suddenly without medical advice, as this can affect the heart.
- Modern beta-blockers are used in its place; discuss any current heart treatment with your prescriber.
- Report any persistent dry or sore eyes, vision changes, rashes or abdominal symptoms to your doctor.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Practolol
Advantages
- Historically able to slow the heart rate and treat certain heart rhythm problems, as beta-blockers do.
- An important example that improved how medicine safety is monitored after licensing.
- Now replaced by safer, modern beta-blockers.
Disadvantages
- Withdrawn because it caused a serious 'oculomucocutaneous syndrome' affecting the eyes, skin and lining membranes.
- Could cause sclerosing peritonitis, a serious scarring of the lining of the abdomen.
- No longer available for use, so it is of historical interest only.
Practical use
Good to know
The most important thing to know about practolol is its place in history: it is no longer used because it caused a serious 'oculomucocutaneous syndrome'. This affected the eyes (including dry eyes and serious eye-surface damage that could threaten sight), the skin (with a psoriasis-like rash) and the body's lining membranes, including a particularly serious problem called sclerosing peritonitis, in which the lining of the abdomen thickens and scars. Because these effects could appear after the medicine had been taken for some time, practolol became a landmark example of why medicines are monitored for safety even after they are licensed. It is included here for historical understanding only; modern beta-blockers are used in its place.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- It is withdrawn and not used, so it should not be taken by anyone.
- As with beta-blockers generally, they are avoided in certain heart-block, very slow heart rate and uncontrolled heart-failure situations, and used with care in asthma.
- Modern beta-blockers are chosen instead, under medical guidance.
Monitoring
- Practolol is no longer used, so monitoring is not applicable today.
- Its history shaped how medicines are now monitored for safety after they are licensed.
- People on modern beta-blockers have their heart rate, blood pressure and symptoms reviewed.
Side effects
- A serious 'oculomucocutaneous syndrome' affecting the eyes, skin and lining membranes.
- Eye problems including dryness and serious surface damage that could threaten sight, and a psoriasis-like skin rash.
- Sclerosing peritonitis, a serious scarring of the abdominal lining; plus the usual beta-blocker effects such as a slow heart rate and tiredness.
Key interactions
- Like other beta-blockers, it could add to the effects of other medicines that slow the heart or lower blood pressure.
- It is no longer in use, so interactions are of historical interest only.
- Anyone on a modern beta-blocker should share their full medicines list with their prescriber.
Available as: No longer available; formerly taken by mouth and given by injection.
Answers
Practolol: frequently asked questions
What was practolol used for?
It was an older beta-blocker used for heart rhythm disturbances and related heart conditions, slowing the heart rate and easing the heart's workload.
Why is it no longer used?
It was withdrawn because it caused a serious 'oculomucocutaneous syndrome' affecting the eyes, skin and lining membranes, including sclerosing peritonitis in the abdomen.
What is the 'oculomucocutaneous syndrome'?
It is a group of serious side effects affecting the eyes, the body's lining (mucous) membranes and the skin, which appeared in people taking practolol.
Is there a safer alternative?
Yes. Modern beta-blockers are used in its place; practolol is now of historical interest only as a landmark example of drug safety.
Why does this medicine still get talked about?
It became an important lesson in why medicines must be monitored for safety even after they are licensed, because its serious effects emerged after use.
The wider class
About Beta-blocker (withdrawn, historical)
Practolol belongs to the beta-blocker (withdrawn, historical) class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
Browse by body system
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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