- Interactions with other medicines
- Introduction
- Missed or extra doses
- Side effects of beta-blockers
- Special considerations
- Uses of beta-blockers
Beta-blockers
Interactions with other medicines
When two or more medicines are taken at the same time, the effects of one medicine can be altered by the other.
This is sometimes known as a “drug-drug interaction”. Beta-blockers, including beta-blocker eye drops, can interact with other medicines.
Some of the more common interactions are listed below. However, this isn’t a complete list.
Read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine to check that it’s safe to take with beta-blockers. If you’re still unsure, you could also ask your GP or pharmacist.
Anti-arrhythmics
Anti-arrhythmics are medicines that control irregular heartbeats. They usually slow the heart down. When taken with beta-blockers, which also slow the heart, there’s a small risk of the heart beating too slowly.
Antihypertensives
Antihypertensives are medicines that are used to lower blood pressure. They can cause low blood pressure (hypotension) when taken with beta-blockers.
Antipsychotics
Antipsychotics are medicines used to treat severe mental health problems. Some types of beta-blockers, such as Sotalol, can increase the risk of arrhythmias if they’re used by people taking antipsychotics.
Other medication
Some other medicines that are known to interact with beta-blockers are listed below:
- Clonidine is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure and migraine. Rebound hypertension (a sharp and sudden rise in blood pressure) can occur if you stop taking clonidine while taking a beta-blocker.
- Mefloquine can cause a slow heart rate when used with beta-blockers.
Useful Links
- Published Date
- 2014-07-03 09:48:48Z
- Last Review Date
- 2014-06-29 00:00:00Z
- Next Review Date
- 2016-06-29 00:00:00Z
- Classification
- Beta-blockers,Calcium-channel blockers,Hypertension
Beta-blockers
Introduction
Beta-blockers, also known as beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents, are medications used to treat conditions such as angina, heart failure and high blood pressure.
They decrease the activity of the heart by blocking the action of hormones like adrenaline.
Beta-blockers are prescription-only medicines (POMS), which means they can only be prescribed by a GP or other suitably qualified healthcare professional.
When are beta-blockers used?
Beta-blockers may be used to treat:
- angina – chest pain caused by narrowings of the arteries supplying the heart
- heart failure – failure of the heart to pump enough blood around the body
- atrial fibrillation – irregular heartbeat
- heart attack – an emergency where the blood supply to the heart is suddenly blocked
- high blood pressure – when other medicines have been tried
Read more about the uses of beta-blockers.
Less commonly, beta-blockers are used to prevent migraine or treat:
- an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- anxiety conditions
- tremor
- glaucoma – as eye drops
There are several types of beta-blocker, and each one has its own characteristics. The type prescribed for you will depend on your condition.
Things to consider
There are several things to consider before taking beta-blockers.
Make sure you tell your doctor if you have a history of:
- asthma or any type of lung disease
- heart disease
- kidney disease
- diabetes – particularly if you have frequent episodes of low blood sugar
- allergic reaction to any medication
Your GP can advice you about which medicine to use if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. It’s important not to stop taking beta-blockers without seeking your GP’s advice. In some cases, suddenly stopping the medicine may make your condition worse.
Ask your GP or pharmacist if you’re not sure whether other medicines are safe to take with beta-blockers.
Read more about how beta-blockers interact with other medicines.
You may experience side effects while taking beta-blockers, including:
- dizziness
- tiredness
- blurred vision
- cold hands and feet
- slow heartbeat
- diarrhoea and nausea
Less common side effects include:
Missed or extra doses
With the exception of special beta-blockers for use during pregnancy, and Sotalol which is given twice or three times a day, most beta-blockers are taken once a day.
If you forget to take a dose of beta-blockers, follow the general advice below:
- If it’s more than eight hours from your next dose, take the dose you missed.
- If it’s less than eight hours from your next dose, you can skip it, but make sure you take the next dose.
If you’re not sure what to do about your dose, check the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine. It should include advice about what to do.
Contact your GP or call NHS 111 for further information and advice about beta-blockers and dosages.
Useful Links
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- Published Date
- 2014-07-03 09:35:24Z
- Last Review Date
- 2014-06-29 00:00:00Z
- Next Review Date
- 2016-06-29 00:00:00Z
- Classification
- Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers
Missed or extra doses
If you miss or take an extra dose of your beta-blockers, read the patient information leaflet that comes with the medication.
It should include advice about what to do. If you’re still unsure, ask your GP or pharmacist.
Missed doses
Most beta-blockers are taken once a day, apart from special beta-blockers that are used during pregnancy and Sotalol, which is given two or three times a day.
If you forget to take a dose of beta-blockers you should:
- take the dose you missed if it’s more than eight hours from your next dose
- skip it if it’s less than eight hours from your next dose, but make sure you take the next dose
If you’re not sure what to do, check the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine. It should include advice about what to do.
Your GP or pharmacist can also give you further advice.
Extra doses
Contact your GP or call NHS 111 if you accidentally take one or more extra doses of beta-blockers. They’ll be able to advise you about what to do.
Useful Links
- Published Date
- 2014-07-03 09:50:40Z
- Last Review Date
- 2014-06-29 00:00:00Z
- Next Review Date
- 2016-06-29 00:00:00Z
- Classification
- Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers
Side effects of beta-blockers
Most people taking beta-blockers have either no or very mild side effects.
Although there are often many side effects listed on the patient information leaflets that come with the medicine, they usually include all of the symptoms that have been reported by people taking beta-blockers – some of which may have occurred naturally.
Contact your GP if you’re experiencing symptoms that affect your everyday life. They can discuss with you whether the symptoms are a result of the medication, and what to do.
Symptoms that are commonly reported both by people taking beta-blockers and those taking a placebo (dummy medication) include:
- dizziness
- tiredness
- blurred vision
- cold hands and feet
- slow heartbeat
- diarrhoea and nausea
Less common symptoms include:
- insomnia (sleep disturbance)
- loss of libido (sex drive)
- depression
- impotence – in men, problems getting or maintaining an erection
Driving
Beta-blockers are unlikely to affect your ability to drive safely. However, don’t drive if you feel dizzy, tired or if your vision is affected.
Useful Links
- Published Date
- 2014-07-03 09:47:38Z
- Last Review Date
- 2014-06-29 00:00:00Z
- Next Review Date
- 2016-06-29 00:00:00Z
- Classification
- Beta-blockers,Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Beta-blockers
Special considerations
Before taking beta-blockers, make sure your doctor is aware of any other conditions you have, because they may not be suitable to use.
When to avoid them
You should usually avoid taking beta-blockers if you have:
- a history of asthma – beta-blockers are occasionally used in people with these conditions, but only under careful supervision
- heart block – where the heart beats slower than usual
- severe narrowing of the arteries to the legs or arms
Make sure your doctor is aware if you have a history of allergic reaction to any medication.
Using them with caution
Beta-blockers should be used with caution if you have:
- diabetes – particularly if you have frequent episodes of low blood sugar
- myasthenia gravis – a condition that causes muscle weakness
- slow heart rate
- phaeochromocytoma – high blood pressure caused by a tumour of the adrenal gland
- Prinzmetal’s angina – a type of chest pain
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Some beta-blockers may be suitable for use in some stages of pregnancy and during breastfeeding.
Your GP can advise you about which medicine to use if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
Stopping beta-blockers
You shouldn’t stop taking beta-blockers without first consulting a doctor who is aware of your medical conditions. Suddenly stopping the medicine may cause your condition to get worse.
Useful Links
- Published Date
- 2014-07-03 09:45:37Z
- Last Review Date
- 2014-06-29 00:00:00Z
- Next Review Date
- 2016-06-29 00:00:00Z
- Classification
- Angina,Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers
Uses of beta-blockers
Beta-blockers block the action of hormones like adrenaline in certain parts of the body.
Angina
Beta-blockers are particularly important for people with angina (chest pain caused by narrowing of the arteries to the heart), or for those who have had a heart attack.
They slow the heart down, help it pump more effectively and give it more time to receive its own blood supply. It helps prevent angina attacks and reduces your risk of having another heart attack if you’ve already had one.
Rhythm problems
Beta-blockers can also control irregular heartbeats by blocking or slowing the electrical nerve impulses that stimulate the heart.
This decreases the activity of the heart, and can also slow heart rate and prevent rhythm problems, such as atrial fibrillation.
Heart failure
Beta-blockers are also commonly used to treat heart failure. They help the heart pump more strongly and efficiently, and they also reduce rhythm problems. Patients then feel better and live longer.
Read more about the uses of beta-blockers.
Other uses
Beta-blockers are also sometimes used to prevent migraine or treat:
- an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- anxiety conditions
- tremor
- glaucoma
Useful Links
- Published Date
- 2014-07-03 09:39:17Z
- Last Review Date
- 2014-06-29 00:00:00Z
- Next Review Date
- 2016-06-29 00:00:00Z
- Classification
- Beta-blockers,Glaucoma,Heart,Hypertension