Beta blockers

Key points about beta blockers

  • Beta-blockers are a group of medicines that are used to treat a variety of conditions related to your heart such as atrial fibrillation, heart failure and high blood pressure.
  • They are also used for other conditions such as reducing anxiety and preventing migraine headaches.
  • Read about how to take beta blockers and find out about possible side effects.
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Beta-blockers are a group of medicines that slow your heart rate and lower your blood pressure, making it easier for your heart to pump blood. They are used to treat a variety of conditions related to your heart such as:

Beta-blockers are also used for other conditions such as:

  • reducing tremors
  • reducing symptoms of anxiety such as fast heart rate
  • preventing migraine  headaches
  • glaucoma, as beta-blocker eye drops to reduce the pressure in your eye.  

The following animation describes how beta-blockers work in the body (British Heart Foundation)

There are several beta-blockers and each is a bit different. Your doctor will advise which one is best for you.

Examples of beta-blockers

When you first starting taking a beta-blocker, your doctor will start you on a low dose then slowly increase it over a few weeks. It can take a while for you to feel better – usually a few months.

Do not suddenly stop taking your beta-blocker

Do not suddenly stop taking your beta-blocker without talking to your doctor first. This can be dangerous and make you feel unwell. You may get the feeling of changes in your heartbeat (fast, quick and irregular or forceful heartbeats), an increase in blood pressure and a return of chest pains. If you do need to stop taking a beta-blocker then your doctor may advise a slow reduction in dose.

If you have diabetes

If you have diabetes you need to take extra care to measure your blood glucose levels regularly.

  • Beta-blockers can cause an increase in blood glucose levels, especially when you first start taking them. This effect usually settles with time.
  • Beta-blockers may reduce the warning signs of a low blood sugar level (hypoglycaemia – often called a hypo). For example, you may not have the feeling of fast, irregular or strong heartbeats (palpitations) or tremor, which can occur when your blood glucose is going too low. If you are worried about this, talk to your doctor. Do not stop taking your beta-blocker without checking with your doctor first. Read more about hypoglycaemia.

If you have asthma

If you have asthma, taking a beta-blocker may trigger your asthma symptoms or make them worse. Not everybody with asthma is sensitive to these medicines. If you are worried about this, talk to your doctor. They may be able to prescribe a different medicine or increase the dose of your asthma preventer medication. Do not suddenly stop taking your beta-blocker without talking to your doctor first. This can be dangerous and make you feel unwell. Read more about medicines that may trigger asthma symptoms.

Reference

  1. Beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs(external link) New Zealand Formulary

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Credits: Sandra Ponen, Pharmacist, Healthify He Puna Waiora. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.

Reviewed by: Angela Lambie, Pharmacist, Auckland

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