Propranolol in acute intermittent porphyria.

Twenty cases of acute intermittent porphyria were studied during the acute phase. Cardiovascular manifestations were noted in all the cases, with tachycardia in 20 and with hypertension in 17. Propranolol in doses ranging from 20--200 mg was given to all the cases and produced adequate control of tachycardia and hypertension. At follow-up, smaller doses of propranolol were found to maintain the pulse rate and BP within normal limits and also to prevent acute attacks.