Failure of propranolol and metoprolol to alter ventilatory responses to carbon dioxide and exercise

Neither propranolol (80 mg) nor metoprolol (100 mg) give orally to eight normal subjects altered mean ventilatory responses to carbon dioxide or to moderate graded exercise. Incremental doses of the drugs to totals of 320 mg propranolol and 400 mg metoprolol also did not effect these ventilatory responses. Both drugs markedly decreased the heart rate response to exercise. Neither propranolol nor metoprolol are likely to cause CO2 retention by an effect on the ventilatory responses to inhaled carbon dioxide or to exercise.