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Revision as of 07:15, 15 May 2026 by MDElliottMD (talk | contribs) (Create Beta Blockers class category)
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Beta blockers (β-adrenergic antagonists) competitively block β-adrenergic receptors. Introduced in 1964 with Propranolol (James Black, Nobel Prize 1988), they are now mainstays for hypertension, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, certain arrhythmias, migraine prophylaxis, situational anxiety, and several other conditions.

Subclasses

  • Non-selective (β1 + β2): Propranolol, Nadolol, Timolol, Sotalol
  • Cardioselective (β1-preferring): Metoprolol, Bisoprolol, Atenolol, Esmolol
  • β1-selective with vasodilation (NO-mediated): Nebivolol
  • Mixed α/β: Labetalol, Carvedilol

Cautions

  • Asthma / severe COPD (β2 blockade → bronchospasm)
  • Severe bradycardia / high-degree AV block
  • Decompensated heart failure (initiate low and slow)
  • Never stop abruptly — rebound tachycardia, hypertension, angina

Pages in category "Beta Blockers"

The following 4 pages are in this category, out of 4 total.