MHVI Owners Manual . Medications . Beta-Blockers

Never stop taking beta blockers suddenly or without your doctor's guidance. Stopping your treatment abruptly can cause unpleasant and even dangerous side effects on your heart and blood vessels. If your doctor tells you to stop taking a medication, ask whether or not you should decrease your dose gradually.

Names
acebutolol (Monitan, Sectral)
atenolol (Tenormin)
betaxolol (Kerlone)
bisoprolol (Zebeta)
carteolol (Cartrol, Ocupress)
carvedilol (Coreg)
labetolol (Normodyne, Trandate)
metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)
nadolol (Corgard)
oxprenolol
penbutolol (Levatol)
pindolol (Visken)
propranolol (Inderal)
timolol (Blocadren)

Q. Why has my doctor prescribed this type of medication?
A. Beta-blockers are used to:

Control high blood pressure
Relieve or prevent cardiac chest pain or angina (decrease oxygen demand, lower blood pressure and heart rate)
Control irregular heartbeats or other abnormal heart rhythms (slow the heart rate)
Prevent additional heart attacks
Help treat congestive heart failure
Other indications include: glaucoma, migraine headaches, tremors

Beta blockers are one of the most important medications used for patients with a variety of cardiovascular conditions, including hypertension (high blood pressure) and coronary artery disease. Sometimes these medications are used in a life-protecting role. For example, beta blockers, when prescribed after a heart attack, have been shown to reduce the likelihood of a second heart attack and the likelihood of dying suddenly. If you have had a recent heart attack, you should be on a beta blocker unless your doctor has determined that you would not tolerate one.

Q. Are there any special precautions that I need to be aware of before I start this type of medication?
A. Please carefully review the general guidelines at the beginning of this section. Be sure to tell your doctor if you take allergy shots or are on medicine for asthma or hay fever. You should also let your doctor know if you have any other medical problems, such as lung disease, diabetes or depression. These conditions can be aggravated by beta blockers.

Q. What is the proper way to take these medications?
A. Follow these guidelines:

Take these medications exactly as directed—even if you feel well.
Check your pulse rate occasionally. If it is much slower than your usual rate—or less than 50 beats per minute—check with your doctor.
Remember that these medications treat and help control your high blood pressure or chest pain; they are not a cure. You must continue to take them, unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.

Q. What are the possible side effects of this type of medication?
A. In general, beta blockers do not produce many side effects. You may experience dizziness or lightheadedness, drowsiness, insomnia, unusual tiredness or fatigue. More serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor include breathing difficulties, cold hands and feet, shortness of breath, swelling of feet and lower legs, or a heartbeat less than 50 beats a minute.