Propranolol as a novel, effective spermicide: preliminary findings.

The efficacy and tolerability of 80 mg propranolol tablets as a vaginal contraceptive were studied in 198 fertile women for 11 months. The calculated one year life table pregnancy rate was 3.4/100 women and the Pearl index was 3.9/100 women years. No major adverse effects were encountered. The findings suggested that propranolol is an effective vaginal contraceptive whose failure rate compares favourably with that of other methods of contraception. Further study of propranolol and similar compounds is warranted.