What are beta blockers, and what are they used for?
Beta blockers, also known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, are drugs that block norepinephrine and epinephrine (adrenaline) from binding to beta receptors on nerves.
Norepinephrine and epinephrine are produced by nerves throughout the body as well as by the adrenal gland. They serve as neurotransmitters (chemicals that nerves use to communicate with one another) that may be active locally where they are produced, or elsewhere in the body, when they are released into the blood. There are both alpha and beta receptors in the body.
3 types of beta receptors
There are three types of beta receptors and they control several different functions based on their location in the body.
- beta-1 (β1) receptors are located in the heart, eye, and kidneys.
- beta (β2) receptors are found in the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, liver, uterus, blood vessels, and skeletal muscle.
- beta (β3) receptors are located in fat cells.
Beta blockers primarily block β1 and β2 receptors and thereby the effects of norepinephrine and epinephrine. By blocking the effects of norepinephrine and epinephrine, beta blockers reduce heart rate; reduce blood pressure by dilating blood vessels; and may constrict air passages by stimulating the muscles that surround the air passages to contract considered an adverse side effect).
Beta blockers are used for treating:
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- High blood pressure
- Heart failure
- Angina (heart pain)
- Tremor
- Pheochromocytoma
- Prevention of migraines
- Hypertrophic subaortic stenosis
- They also have been found to prevent further heart attacks and death after a heart attack.
- Other uses include the treatment of hyperthyroidism, akathisia (restlessness or inability to sit still), panic disorder, anxiety, and aggressive behavior.
- Some beta blockers reduce the production of aqueous humor in the eye and therefore are used for reducing pressure in the eye caused by glaucoma.
What are the side effects of beta blockers?
Beta blockers may cause:
Other important side effects include:
As an extension of their beneficial effect, they slow heart rate and reduce blood pressure, but they may cause adverse effects such as heart failure or heart block in patients with heart problems.
Beta blockers should not be withdrawn suddenly because sudden withdrawal may worsen angina (chest pain) and cause heart attacks, serious abnormal heart rhythms, or sudden death.
- Central nervous system effects of beta blockers include:
Beta blockers that block β2 receptors may cause shortness of breath in asthmatics.
As with other drugs used for treating high blood pressure, sexual dysfunction may occur.
Beta blockers may cause low or high blood glucose and mask the symptoms of low blood glucose (hypoglycemia) in people with diabetes.
Other serious side effects of beta-blockers include:
List of examples of brand and generic names for beta blockers?
- acebutolol (Sectral)
- atenolol (Tenormin)
- betaxolol (Kerlone)
- betaxolol (Betoptic S)
- bisoprolol fumarate (Zebeta)
- carteolol (Cartrol, discontinued)
- carvedilol (Coreg)
- esmolol (Brevibloc)
- labetalol (Trandate [Normodyne - discontinued])
- metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)
- nadolol (Corgard)
- nebivolol (Bystolic)
- penbutolol (Levatol)
- pindolol (Visken, discontinued)
- propranolol (Hemangeol, Inderal LA, Inderal XL, InnoPran XL)
- sotalol (Betapace, Sorine)
- timolol (Blocadren, discontinued)
- timolol ophthalmic solution (Timoptic, Betimol, Istalol)

SLIDESHOW
How to Lower Blood Pressure: Exercise and Tips See SlideshowWhat are the differences amongst the beta blockers available?
Beta blockers differ in the type of beta receptors they block and, therefore, their effects.
- Non-selective beta blockers, for example, propranolol (Inderal), block β1 and β2 receptors and, therefore, affect the heart, blood vessels, and air passages.
- Selective beta blockers, for example, metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL) primarily block β1 receptors and, therefore, mostly affect the heart and do not affect air passages.
- Some beta blockers, for example, pindolol (Visken) have intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA), which means they mimic the effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine and can cause an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Beta blockers with ISA have smaller effects on heart rate than agents that do not have ISA.
- Labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate) and carvedilol (Coreg) block beta and alpha-1 receptors. Blocking alpha receptors adds to the blood vessel dilating effect of labetalol and carvedilol.
What drugs interact with beta blockers?
- Combining propranolol (Inderal) or pindolol (Visken) with thioridazine (Mellaril) or chlorpromazine (Thorazine) may result in low blood pressure (hypotension) and abnormal heart rhythms because the drugs interfere with each other's elimination and result in increased levels of the drugs.
- Dangerous elevations in blood pressure may occur when clonidine (Catapres) is combined with a beta blocker, or when clonidine or beta blocker is discontinued after their concurrent use. Blood pressure should be closely monitored after initiation or discontinuation of clonidine or a beta blocker when they have been used together.
- Phenobarbital and similar agents may increase the breakdown and reduce blood levels of propanolol (Inderal) or metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL). This may reduce effectiveness of the beta blocker.
- Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (for example, ibuprofen) may counteract the blood pressure reducing effects of beta blockers by reducing the effects of prostaglandins, which play a role in control of blood pressure.
- Beta blockers may prolong hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and mask symptoms of hypoglycemia in diabetics who are taking insulin or other diabetic medications.
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Summary
Beta blockers are used for the treatment of irregular heart rhythms, chest pain, heart attack, hypertension, migraine headaches, social phobias, tremors, and glaucoma. Common side effects of beta blockers are nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and weight gain if you are taking medicine for diabetes (type 1 and type 2). Examples of generic and brand names available for beta blockers in the U.S. include acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol (Zebeta), metoprolol (Lopressor, Lopressor LA, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), timolol (Blocadren).
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What Is High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)?
High blood pressure or hypertension is when the blood pressure readings consistently range from 140 or higher for systolic or 90 or higher for diastolic. Blood pressure readings above 180/120 mmHg are dangerously high and require immediate medical attention.
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Can Rheumatoid Arthritis Cause Heart Failure?
Rheumatoid arthritis can increase the risk of various cardiovascular diseases including heart failure and pericarditis. Heart failure is one of the common causes of increased mortality in people with RA.
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Can Angina Lead to a Heart Attack?
Angina, or angina pectoris, is a sudden chest pain caused by low blood flow to the heart. Yes, some types of angina attacks can lead to heart complications.
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Can You Still Exercise With Heart Failure?
Performing light to moderate exercises is a great way to strengthen your heart muscles after being diagnosed with heart failure.
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High Blood Pressure Symptoms
Most people with high blood pressure have no signs or symptoms, even if blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels. In some patients, symptoms may include fatigue, headaches, dizziness, confusion, sweating, chest pain and vision problems.
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What Causes High Blood Pressure in Children?
Research states that kidney disease is the main cause of high blood pressure in children; however, here are the other potential causes of hypertension in kids.
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How Does High Blood Pressure Affect Pregnancy?
High blood pressure during pregnancy can cause serious complications. Learn more about the signs of and risks associated with the condition.
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Can Kawasaki Disease Cause Heart Failure?
Approximately 50 percent of children with Kawasaki disease may develop inflammation of the heart muscle and potentially heart failure, in severe cases.
Treatment & Diagnosis
- Headaches FAQs
- High Blood Pressure FAQs
- Heart Disease FAQs
- Thyroid FAQs
- Salt FAQs
- Atrial Fibrillation A-Fib FAQs
- Heart Failure FAQs
- High Blood Pressure Symptoms
- Elizabeth Taylor Dies of Congestive Heart Failure
- Medication Disposal
- Angina: Don't Take It Lightly
- Dangers of Mixing Medications
- Heart Failure: What Killed George Carlin?
- Heart Failure ... Old Drug, New Therapy
- High Blood Pressure: Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- Inherited High Blood Pressure in a Teenager
- Hypertension In The Elderly - Deserves More Attention
- How To Reduce Your Medication Costs
- Salt, DASH, High Blood Pressure
- Pharmacy Visit, How To Get The Most Out of Your Visit
- High Blood Pressure and Exercise
- Indications for Drugs: Approved vs. Non-approved
- Beta Blockers: Why Take a Beta Blocker?
- Drugs: Buying Prescription Drugs Online Safely
- Beta Blockers May Decrease Heart Complications Of Surgery
- Drugs: The Most Common Medication Errors
- What Is the Difference Between ACE Inhibitors and A Beta Blockers?
- How Do You Check for Congestive Heart Failure?
- Do I Have Angina?
- Does Menopause Cause High Blood Pressure?
- Can I Lift Weights with High Blood Pressure?
- Congestive Heart Failure Treatment
- Angina Diagnosis
- Angina Symptoms
- Thyroid Storm
- Pain Relievers and High Blood Pressure
- Congestive Heart Failure Symptoms
- Generic Drugs, Are They as Good as Brand-Names?
- High Blood Pressure: Improve Your Lifestyle
Medications & Supplements
- BETA BLOCKERS-ORAL
- Drugs: Questions to Ask Your Doctor or Pharmacist about Your Drugs
- Drug Interactions
- Types of High Blood Pressure Medications
- Beta Blocker Side Effects (Adverse Effects)
- propranolol, Inderal, Inderal LA, Innopran XL
- metoprolol
- Congestive Heart Failure Medications
- Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs)
- Why Are Diuretics Used in Heart Failure?
- atenolol
- bisoprolol (Zebeta)
- atenolol and chlorthalidone, Tenoretic
- erenumab (Aimovig)
- timolol ophthalmic solution (Timoptic)
- bisoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide (Ziac)
- nadolol (Corgard)
- Types of High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Medications
- timolol (Betimol)
- Sectral (acebutolol)
Prevention & Wellness
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
REFERENCE:
FDA Prescribing Information.
Harvard Health Publications; Harvard Medical School. "Ask the doctor: Beta blockers and alcohol." Sep 2013.
<http://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/beta-blockers-and-alcohol>