Plasma renin activity suppression: duration after withdrawal from beta-adrenergic blockade

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Abstract
Blocking drugs suppress plasma renin activity (PRA) promptly. The current study was undertaken to document the return of PRA once blockade is withdrawn. The return of PRA was correlated with both fall in plasma propranolol levels and change in blood pressure (BP). Patients (14) established a baseline PRA. Propranolol hydrochloride, 40 mg twice daily, was given for 7 days and withdrawn abruptly. The PRA, plasma propranolol level and BP were measured 1 and 12 h after withdrawal, then every 24 h. The PRA returns to baseline 12 h after cessation of therapy. After withdrawal of therapy, three seems to be a rebound phenomenon in PRA, with elevations of 70% above baseline. The rebound is demonstrated by a nonsignificant rise in BP. Plasma propranolol levels fall by 70% within 13 h of withdrawal. The decrease in propranolol levels closely correlates with the rise in PRA.