Heart and blood pressure
Beta blockers
Used for
High blood pressure, fast heart rate, chest pain
How it works
Block adrenaline's effect on the heart, so it beats slower and with less force.
Watch for
Not stopped suddenly. Can hide the shaky warning signs of low blood sugar.
- Name clue
- -olol (some end in -lol)
- Examples
- metoprolol (Toprol XL, Lopressor)
- atenolol (Tenormin)
- carvedilol (Coreg)
- propranolol (Inderal LA)
More in heart and blood pressure
- ACE inhibitorsHigh blood pressure, heart failure
- Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)High blood pressure, heart failure
- ARB + neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI)Heart failure
- Calcium channel blockersHigh blood pressure, chest pain
- Alpha blockersEnlarged prostate (BPH); some lower blood pressure
- Thiazide diureticsHigh blood pressure, mild swelling
- Loop diureticsFluid buildup (edema), heart failure
- Potassium-sparing diureticsHeart failure, blood pressure, fluid
- NitratesChest pain (angina)
- Cardiac glycosidesHeart failure, atrial fibrillation
- AntiarrhythmicsIrregular heart rhythms
A study and reference aid. Follow the product labeling and your pharmacist for anything about a patient's medicine.
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