 |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Beta-blockersThis factsheet is for people who would like information about taking beta-blockers. Beta-adrenoreceptor blocking drugs, or beta-blockers for short, work on the heart and blood vessels to reduce blood pressure and the amount of work the heart does. Atenolol (Tenormin) and propranolol (Inderal) are common examples.
Why would I take them?Your doctor may prescribe you with beta-blockers if you have: If you have had a heart attack, taking a beta-blocker reduces the risk of you having another one. What are the main types?There are many different beta-blockers. Some work on specific parts of the body, such as the heart. These are called cardio-selective beta-blockers. Some beta-blockers are used to prevent migraines, and some can reduce physical symptoms associated with anxiety, such as palpitations and shaking. Others are used to help treat the symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland. There are also eye drops containing certain beta-blockers that are used to treat glaucoma, an eye condition caused by a build-up of pressure in the eye. How do beta-blockers work?Beta-blockers work by blocking the action of a natural substance called noradrenaline at special sites (receptors) in arteries and on the heart muscle. A chemical messenger called noradrenaline causes arteries to narrow and the heart to beat faster. By blocking its action, beta-blockers can cause arteries to widen, slow down the heart and decrease its force of contraction. This results in a drop in blood pressure and less work for the heart to do. Beta-blockers don't have much of an effect on the heart when you are at rest. But they partially block the effects of exercise or excitement (when noradrenaline levels rise) on the heart so that it doesn't work too hard. How to take beta-blockersBeta-blockers are only available on prescription. They come as:
Beta-blockers are often prescribed in combination with other drugs such as water tablets (diuretics) or calcium-channel blockers. Do not stop taking a beta-blocker suddenly. This type of medicine needs to be reduced slowly, and on the advice of your doctor. Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine. Special careCheck with your doctor before taking a beta-blocker if you have:
Side-effectsThe most common side-effects caused by taking beta-blockers are:
Less common side-effects include:
Interactions with other medicinesCheck with your doctor or pharmacist before you take any other medicines or herbal remedies at the same time as a beta-blocker. Names of common beta-blockersExamples of common beta-blockers are shown in the table. The generic name is the chemical name of a medicine. If a manufacturer has rights over a medicinal compound, it is given a brand name. Often there is more than one brand name associated with a generic name. Generic names are normally written with a lower-case initial letter and brand names normally start with an upper-case letter.
Further information
Sources
Published by BUPA's health information team, healthinfo@bupa.com, February 2007.
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
![Print-friendly version [opens in a new window]](/images/icons/icn_printer.gif){kind=icon}
|
|
|
||||
 |
 |
|||||
| ||||||
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|