Pronethalol (also known as nethalide or compound 38,174; trade name Alderlin) was an early non-selective

beta blocker Beta blockers, also spelled β-blockers, are a class of medications that are predominantly used to manage abnormal heart rhythms ( arrhythmia), and to protect the heart from a second heart attack after a first heart attack ( secondary prevention ...

clinical candidate. It was the first beta blocker to be developed by James Black and associates at

Imperial Chemical Industries Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) was a British Chemical industry, chemical company. It was, for much of its history, the largest manufacturer in Britain. Its headquarters were at Millbank in London. ICI was listed on the London Stock Exchange ...

, and the first to enter clinical use, in November 1963. However, it was never used widely due to

carcinogenicity A carcinogen () is any agent that promotes the development of cancer. Carcinogens can include synthetic chemicals, naturally occurring substances, physical agents such as ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, and Biological agent, biologic agent ...

in mice, which was thought to result from formation of a carcinogenic naphthalene epoxide metabolite, and was superseded by

propranolol Propranolol is a medication of the beta blocker class. It is used to treat hypertension, high blood pressure, some types of cardiac dysrhythmia, irregular heart rate, thyrotoxicosis, capillary hemangiomas, akathisia, performance anxiety, and ...

from 1965 onward.

References

Beta blockers 2-Naphthyl compounds Naphthylethylamines Phenylethanolamines {{antihypertensive-stub

See also

References