Non-cardioselective beta blockers
A drug may be classified by the chemical type of the active ingredient or by the way it is used to treat a particular condition. Each drug can be classified into one or more drug classes.
Beta adrenergic blocking agents prevent stimulation of the beta adrenergic receptors at the nerve endings of the sympathetic nervous system and therefore decrease the activity of the heart. They block sympathetic stimulation of the heart and reduce systolic pressure, heart rate, cardiac contractility and output, so decrease myocardial oxygen demand and increase exercise tolerance.
Beta adrenergic blocking agents are used to treat angina, control abnormal heart rhythms and to reduce high blood pressure. However, non-cardioselective beta blockers can cause significant bronchial constriction and could be harmful especially in patients with respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
See also...
Medical conditions associated with non-cardioselective beta blockers:
- Angina
- Angina Pectoris Prophylaxis
- Anxiety
- Aortic Stenosis
- Arrhythmia
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Atrial Flutter
- Benign Essential Tremor
- Esophageal Variceal Hemorrhage Prophylaxis
- Glaucoma
- Heart Attack
- Heart Failure
- Hemangioma
- High Blood Pressure
- Hypertensive Emergency
- Intermittent Explosive Disorder
- Left Ventricular Dysfunction
- Lithium Tremor
- Migraine Prevention
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Panic Disorder
- Parkinsonian Tremor
- Performance Anxiety
- Pheochromocytoma
- Portal Hypertension
- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
- Supraventricular Tachycardia
- Tardive Dyskinesia
- Thyrotoxicosis
- Ventricular Arrhythmia
- Ventricular Tachycardia
