Studies on the possible mutagenicity of beta-adrenergic blocker drugs

The mutagenic potential of nine beta-adrenergic blocking agents was investigated in the Ames and micronucleus tests. None of the drugs studied showed any mutagenic response in the Ames test, either in the presence or in the absence of an activation system. At the highest concentration oxprenolol and propranolol exhibited a bactericidal effect. In the micronucleus test the same drugs showed a weak, but statistically non-significant response, but only at the highest doses. It is concluded that there is no overt mutagenic or carcinogenic potential associated with beta-adrenergic blocking drug activity.