The effect of Bepridil on respiratory and cardiovascular function: a placebo-controlled study

Bepridil is a novel substance with antianginal and specific antiarrhythmic activities. To investigate its effect on bronchomotor and cardiovascular function a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study was performed in 12 healthy volunteers of both sexes. The test preparations were administered by intravenous infusion. Bepridil was given in a dose of 2 mg/kg, which is sufficient to produce a therapeutic plasma level. With body plethysmography the airway resistance was determined before and 110 min after test drug administration. Oscillatory resistance (Oscillation method, Siregnost FD5, Siemens), blood pressure, and electrocardiogram were recorded before administration of the test preparation and thereafter in short intervals for 20 min and in longer intervals for 2 h. Analysis of the data does not indicate that Bepridil affects respiratory function in other ways than a placebo. Hence Bepridil in therapeutic doses is unlikely to produce untoward effects on the respiratory system. Likewise no unwanted effects on the cardiovascular system were recorded; the observed antitachydardia effect is of therapeutic value. The usefulness of the oscillation method to investigate influences on bronchomotor function has been confirmed.