HOW DO NONSELECTIVE BETA-BLOCKERS WORK?
Nonselective beta-blockers are drugs that work to lower arterial and venous pressure.
Beta-adrenergic receptors are a type of adrenergic receptors that play a central role in the sympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system is the part of the nervous system that increases heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and eye pupil size. Beta-adrenergic receptors are of three types beta1, beta2, and beta3. Stimulation of beta receptors can lead to the release of adrenaline, which causes the constriction of blood vessels.
Nonselective beta-blockers inhibit all beta receptors resulting in decreased:
- Heart rate
- Contraction of heart muscles
- Oxygen demand by the heart muscles
- Blood pressure
HOW ARE NONSELECTIVE BETA-BLOCKERS USED?
Nonselective beta-blockers are used for treating:
- Hypertension
- Angina
- Migraine
- Pheochromocytoma (a hormone-secreting tumor occurring in the adrenal glands)
- Supraventricular arrhythmia (faster than normal heart rate beginning above the heart's two lower chambers)
- Portal hypertension (elevated pressure in the portal vein leading to the lungs)
WHAT ARE SIDE EFFECTS OF NONSELECTIVE BETA-BLOCKERS?
Nonselective beta-blockers may cause the following side effects:
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Insomnia
- Itching
- Cramping
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Dizziness
- Irregular heart rate
- Palpitation
- Weakness
- Lightheadedness
- Swelling
- Headache
- Sleep disturbances
- Diarrhea
- Rash
The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.
WHAT ARE NAMES OF NONSELECTIVE BETA-BLOCKERS?
Generic and brand names of nonselective beta-blockers include:
- Betapace
- Betapace AF
- Blocadren (DSC)
- Corgard
- Hemangeol
- Inderal
- Inderal LA
- Innopran XL
- Levatol
- Nadolol
- Propranolol
- Sorine
- Sotalol
- Sotylize
- Timolol
