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Beta blockers
Beta blockers, also called beta-adrenergic blocking agents, treat a variety of conditions, such as high blood pressure, glaucoma and migraines. Find out more about this class of medication.
By Mayo Clinic staffBeta blockers, also known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, are medications that reduce your blood pressure. Beta blockers work by blocking the effects of the hormone epinephrine, also known as adrenaline. When you take beta blockers, the heart beats more slowly and with less force, thereby reducing blood pressure. Beta blockers also help blood vessels open up to improve blood flow.
Examples of beta blockers
Some beta blockers mainly affect your heart, while others affect both your heart and your blood vessels. Which one is best for you depends on your health and the condition being treated.
Examples of beta blockers include:
- Acebutolol (Sectral)
- Atenolol (Tenormin)
- Bisoprolol (Zebeta)
- Carvedilol (Coreg)
- Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)
- Nadolol (Corgard)
- Nebivolol (Bystolic)
- Propranolol (Inderal LA)
(1 of 2)
- Beta blockers: Martindale — The complete drug reference. Micromedex Healthcare Series. http://www.micromedex.com/. Accessed Nov. 6, 2008.
- Medications commonly used to treat heart failure. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=118. Accessed Nov. 6, 2008.
- Sheps SG, ed. Mayo Clinic 5 Steps to Controlling High Blood Pressure. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research;2008:187.
- Bangalore S, et al. Relation of beta-blocker-induced heart rate lowering and cardioprotection in hypertension. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2008;52:1482.
- Kaplan NM. Beta blockers in hypertension. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2008;52:1490.
- Podrid PJ. Major side effects of beta blockers. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 5, 2008.
