BETA BLOCKERS

CHEMICAL NAME	BRAND NAME(S)
ACEBUTOLOL	SECTRAL
ATENOLOL	TENORMIN, *TENORETIC
BETAXOLOL	KERLONE
BISOPROLOL	ZEBETA, *ZIAC
CARTEOLOL	CARTROL
CARVEDILOL**	COREG
ESMOLOL	BREVIBLOC (only available for intravenous use)
LABETOLOL***	NORMODYNE, TRANDATE
METOPROLOL	LOPRESSOR, *LOPRESSOR HCT, TOPROL
NADOLOL	CORGARD
PENBUTOLOL	LEVATOL
PINDOLOL	VISKEN
PROPRANOLOL	INDERAL, *INDERIDE
TIMOLOL	BLOCADREN, *TIMOLIDE, TIMOPTIC (eye drops)

* These are a combination of the beta blocker with a diuretic for the control of blood pressure.

**This is also an alpha blocker and a free radical scavenger. It has been specifically developed as a treatment for heart failure.

***This is a combined alpha and beta blocker and also dilates arteries.

USES OF BETA BLOCKERS

TREATMENT OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

CONTROL OF ANGINA

TREATMENT OF CERTAIN ABNORMAL HEART RHYTHMS

PROLONGING SURVIVAL OF PATIENTS WHO HAVE HAD A HEART ATTACK

TREATMENT OF HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY

TREATMENT OF HEART FAILURE

TREATMENT OF VASOVAGAL FAINTING

TREATMENT OF MIGRAINES

TREATMENT OF ESSENTIAL TREMOR

PREVENTION OF BLEEDING FROM ESOPHAGEAL VARICES

PREVENTION OF STAGE FRIGHT

GLAUCOMA

When a person is nervous, frightened or physically active, their body produces adrenalin. This makes the heart beat faster and harder. It constricts the blood vessels and raises the blood pressure. It does this by binding to receptors on the membranes of muscle cells in the heart. There are 2 types of these receptors: alpha and beta. All of the beta blockers block the beta receptor. Some also block the alpha receptor.

This results is a slowing of the pulse and lower blood pressure. It makes it easier for the heart to work despite narrowed coronary arteries. These effects help control the symptoms of angina.

The most common side effects are weakness and drowsiness. These symptoms reslove promptly when the medication is withdrawn. In diabetics, beta blockers may mask the warning symptoms of low blood sugar.

Some beta blockers may raise the level of triglycerides and lower the level of good cholesterol in the blood but this is rarely clinical problem and does not offset their otherwise beneficial effects. The cholesterol and triglycerides can be treated in the usual fashion. See LOWERING CHOLESTEROL LEVELS and CHOLESTEROL LOWERING MEDICATIONS.

Beta blockers may cause wheezing and should be used with caution in patients with asthma, bronchitis or emphysema.

Overall, beta blockers are some of the most effective medicines for heart disease, high blood pressure and heart attack survivors and are well tolerated by most people.

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