Beta Blockers (cont.)
Annette (Gbemudu) Ogbru, PharmD, MBA
Dr. Gbemudu received her B.S. in Biochemistry from Nova Southeastern University, her PharmD degree from University of Maryland, and MBA degree from University of Baltimore. She completed a one year post-doctoral fellowship with Rutgers University and Bristol Myers Squibb.
Jay W. Marks, MD
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
In this Article
- What are beta blockers and how do they work?
- For what conditions are beta blockers used?
- Are there differences among beta blockers?
- What are the side effects of beta blockers?
- What are the drug interactions?
- What are some examples of beta blockers?
What are the drug interactions?
Beta blockers [pindolol (Visken) and propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran)] should not be taken with phenothiazines [thioridazine and chlorpromazine (Thorazine)] as this will cause an increase in blood plasma levels of either or both classes of drugs. Due to the fact that increased levels of thioridazine could increase the risk of life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, thioridazine is contraindicated in patients receiving pindolol and propranolol.
Beta blockers [acebutolol hydrochloride (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), betaxolol hydrochloride (Kerlone), carteolol hydrochloride (Cartrol), esmolol hydrochloride (Brevibloc), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), penbutolol sulfate (Levatol), pindolol (Visken), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), and timolol maleate (Blocadren)] when taken with verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Verelan PM, Isoptin, Isoptin SR, Covera-HS), will cause an increase of blood plasma levels of either drug. It is important to monitor cardiac function due to additive effects of both drugs.
Beta blockers [acebutolol hydrochloride (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), betaxolol hydrochloride (Kerlone), carteolol hydrochloride (Cartrol), esmolol hydrochloride (Brevibloc), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), penbutolol sulfate (Levatol), pindolol (Visken), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), and timolol maleate (Blocadren)], when taken with clonidine (Catapres), could cause life-threatening increases in blood pressure. It is important to monitor blood pressure continuously.
Beta blockers [carteolol hydrochloride (Cartrol), nadolol (Corgard), penbutolol sulfate (Levatol), pindolol (Visken), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), and timolol maleate (Blocadren), sotalol hydrochloride (Betapace)] when taken with beta-agonists (albuterol, arformoterol, bitolterol, formoterol (Foradil, Foradil Certihaler, Perforomist), levalbuterol (Xopenex) and salmeterol (Serevent Discus)] could affect the pulmonary organs and may cause bronchospasm.
Beta blockers [metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL) and propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran)] when taken with barbiturates [phenobarbital, primidone (Mysoline), amobarbital, butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), and secobarbital], cause a reduction of blood plasma levels of the mentioned beta blockers. Higher doses of beta blockers are sometimes given if an interaction is suspected.
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