Beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs Flashcards
Which organs/structures do do beta-blockers block the beta-adrenoceptors in? (5)
Heart Peripheral vasculature Bronchi Pancreas Liver
What does it mean if a beta-blocker has intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA)?
Partial agonist activity: represents the capacity of beta-blockers to stimulate as well as to block adrenergic receptor
They cause less bradycardia and coldness of extremities than other beta-blockers
Beta-blockers with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA):
- Celiprolol hydrochloride
- Pindolol
- Acebutolol
- Oxprenolol hydrochloride
Name 4 beta-blockers which have intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA)?
- Celiprolol hydrochloride
- Pindolol
- Acebutolol
- Oxprenolol hydrochloride
ISA = Partial agonist activity: represents the capacity of beta-blockers to stimulate as well as to block adrenergic receptor
They cause less bradycardia and coldness of extremities than other beta-blockers
What is the benefit of prescribing beta-blockers with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA)?
Cause less bradycardia and coldness of extremities than other beta-blockers
ISA = Partial agonist activity: represents the capacity of beta-blockers to stimulate as well as to block adrenergic receptor
Beta-blockers with intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA):
- Celiprolol hydrochloride
- Pindolol
- Acebutolol
- Oxprenolol hydrochloride
What is the one indication to use celiprolol hydrochloride?
Mild to moderate hypertension
- Oral: 200 mg once daily, increased to 400 mg once daily if necessary
What are 12 contraindications to the use of beta-blockers?
- Asthma
- Cardiogenic shock
- Hypotension
- Marked bradycardia
- Metabolic acidosis
- Phaechromocytoma (except with alpha-blocker)
- Prinzmetal’s angina
- Second degree AV block
- Third-degree AV block
- Sick sinus syndrome
- Uncontrolled heart failure
- Peripheral arterial disease
Which AV blocks are contraindications to beta-blockers?
Second- and third-degree AV block
First-degree AV block is a caution to give beta-blockers
When an elderly patient is taking a beta-blocker in which conditions should consider may be potentially inappropriate (STOPP criteria)?
- In combination with verapamil or diltiazem
- With bradycardia (HR < 50), type II heart block, or complete heart block
- In diabetes mellitus patients with frequent hypoglycaemic episodes
- If prescribed a non-selective beta-blocker in a history of asthma requiring treatment
What is the risk of combining a beta-blocker with verapamil or diltiazem?
Risk of heart block
What is the risk of giving beta-blockers to a patient with either bradycardia (HR < 50), type II heart block or complete heart block?
Risk of complete heart block and asystole
What is the risk of giving a beta-blocker to patients with diabetes mellitus?
Risk of suppressing hypoglycaemic symptoms
Diabetes is a caution NOT a contraindications
BUT in elderly patients with frequent hypoglycaemic episodes the beta-blocker may be inappropriate
What is the risk of giving a beta-blocker (including cardioselective beta-blockers) to patient with a history of asthma, bronchospasm or obstructive airways disease?
Bronchospasms
BUT if there are no alternative, a cardioselective beta-blocker can be given to these patients with caution and under specialist supervision
Beta blockers can mask symptoms of which two conditions?
Hypoglycaemia
Thyrotoxicosis
Which drink greatly decreases the exposure to the beta blocker celiprolol?
Orange juice
What are the common side effects of beta-blockers? (21)
- Abdominal discomfort
- Bradycardia
- Confusion
- Depression
- Diarrhoea
- Dizziness
- Dry eye (reversible on discontinuation)
- Dyspnoea
- Erectile dysfunction
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Heart failure
- Nausea
- Paraesthesia
- Peripheral coldness
- Peripheral vascular disease
- Rash
- Sleep disorders (nightmares)
- Syncope
- Visual impairment
- Vomiting
If excessive bradycardia occurs following IV injection of beta-blocker, which drug can be used to counter the effects?
IV atropine sulfate
What are the risks of using a beta-blocker during pregnancy?
- Intra-uterine growth restriction
- Neonatal hypoglycaemia
- Bradycardia
The risk is greater in severe hypertension
Use of celiprolol hydrochloride in renal impairment:
(a) At which creatinine clearance should you reduce the dose of celiprolol?
(b) At which creatinine clearance should you avoid the use of celiprolol?
(a) half dose if creatinine clearance 15-40 mL/minute
(b) Avoid if creatinine clearance is < 15 mL/minute
Why should you avoid abrupt withdrawal of beta-blocker in ischaemic heart disease?
Rebound worsening of myocardial ischaemia
A gradual reduction of dose is preferable when beta-blockers are to be stopped
What are the indication for the use of the beta blocker pindolol? (2)
Hypertension
- Oral: Initially 5 mg 2–3 times a day, alternatively 15 mg once daily, doses to be increased as required at weekly intervals; maintenance 15–30 mg daily; maximum 45 mg per day.
Angina
- Oral: 2.5–5 mg up to 3 times a day.
What are the signs and symptoms of an overdose with beta-blockers?
- Light headedness
- Dizziness
- Bradycardia
- Hypotension
- Syncope (caused by bradycardia and hypotension)
- Heart failure may be precipitated or exacerbated
If beta-blocker was administered with IV injection, excessive bradycardia may be countered with IV atropine sulfate
What are the indications for the use of the beta-blocker acebutolol?
Hypertension
- Oral: Initially 400 mg daily for 2 weeks, alternatively initially 200 mg twice daily for 2 weeks, then increased if necessary to 400 mg twice daily; maximum 1.2 g per day.
Angina
- Oral: Initially 400 mg daily, alternatively initially 200 mg twice daily; maximum 1.2 g per day.
Arrhythmias
- Oral: 0.4–1.2 g daily in 2–3 divided doses.
Severe angina
- Oral: Initially 300 mg 3 times a day; maximum 1.2 g per day.
What is a common side effects of the beta-blocker acebutolol (in addition to the common side effects of all beta-blockers)?
Gastrointestinal disorder
Why is acebutolol not a good choice as a beta-blocker in mothers who are breastfeeding?
Present in breast milk in greater amounts than other beta-blockers
This is a problem with acebutolol and water-soluble beta-blockers
Why should acebutolol be used in caution in patients with severe renal impairment?
Risk of accumulation
Halve dose if eGFR 25-50 mL/minute/1.73m^2
Quarter dose if eGFR < 25 mL/minute/1.73m^2
DO NOT administer more than once daily
Which type of beta-blockers are MORE likely to enter the brain?
Lipid-soluble OR water-soluble
Lipid soluble beta-blockers
- labetalol
- metoprolol
- pindolol
- propranolol
Cause more sleep disturbance and nightmares
Which type of beta-blockers cause less sleep disturbance and nightmares?
Lipid soluble OR water soluble
Water-soluble beta-blockers
- Atenolol
- Celiprolol
- Hydrochloride
- Nadolol
- Sotaolol hydrochloride
Less likely to enter the brain
Which organ is responsible for the clearance of
(a) Lipid soluble beta-blockers?
(b) Water soluble beta-blockers?
(a) Lipid soluble beta-blockers are cleared via hepatic metabolism
(b) Water soluble are excreted by the kidneys
Lipid soluble beta-blockers
- labetalol
- metoprolol
- pindolol
- propranolol
Water-soluble beta-blockers
- Atenolol
- Celiprolol
- Hydrochloride
- Nadolol
- Sotaolol hydrochloride
Which beta-blockers have an intrinsically longer duration of action and need to be given only once? (4)
Atenolol
Bisoprolol fumarate
Celiprolol hydrochloride
Nadolol
Most beta-blockers have a relatively short duration of action and are required to be given 2-3 times daily.
Which beta-blockers lower peripheral resistance? (4)
Labetalol hydrochloride
Celiprolol hydrochloride
Carvedilol
Nebivolol
Mechanism: arteriolar vasodilating action
There is NO evidence that these drugs have important advantages over other beta-blockers in the treatment of hypertension.
How do the following beta-blocks lower peripheral resistance: labetalol hydrochloride, celiprolol hydrochloride, carvedilol, nebivolol?
Arteriolar vasodilating action
There is NO evidence that these drugs have important advantages over other beta-blockers in the treatment of hypertension.
Which beta-blockers are the most relatively cardioselective? (5)
Atenolol Bisprolol fumarate Metoprolol tartrate Nebivolol Acebutolol (to a lesser extent)
They have a lesser effect on B2 receptors and airways resistance but are NOT free of this side-effect
What are the indications for the use of the beta-blocker atenolol?
Hypertension
- Oral: 25–50 mg daily
Angina
- Oral: 100 mg daily in 1–2 divided doses.
Arrhythmias
- Oral: 50–100 mg daily.
- IV: 2.5 mg every 5 minutes if required, to be given at a rate of 1 mg/minute, treatment course may be repeated every 12 hours if required; maximum 10 mg per course.
- IV: 150 micrograms/kg every 12 hours if required, to be given over 20 minutes.
Migraine prophylaxis (unlicensed) - Oral: 50–200 mg daily in divided doses.
Early intervention within 12 hours of myocardial infarction
- IV: 5–10 mg, to be given at a rate of 1 mg/minute, followed by (by mouth) 50 mg after 15 minutes, then (by mouth) 50 mg after 12 hours, then (by mouth) 100 mg after 12 hours, then (by mouth) 100 mg once daily.
Which drug is atenolol commonly confused with?
Amlodipine
Care must be taken to ensure the correct drug is prescribed and dispensed
What is a common side effects of the beta-blocker atenolol (in addition to the common side effects of all beta-blockers)?
Gastrointestinal disorder
Which beta blockers are present in breast milk in greater amounts than other beta-blockers?
Water-soluble beta blockers
- Atenolol
- Nadolol
- Sotalol hydrochloride
AND
- Acebutolol
In which condition would you adjust the dose of water soluble beta blockers?
Renal impairment
Water-soluble beta-blockers
- Atenolol
- Celiprolol
- Hydrochloride
- Nadolol
- Sotaolol hydrochloride
What are the indications for the beta-blocker nadolol? (5)
Hypertension
- Oral: Initially 80 mg once daily, then increased in steps of up to 80 mg every week if required, doses higher than the maximum are rarely necessary; maximum 240 mg per day.
Angina
- Oral: Initially 40 mg once daily, then increased if necessary up to 160 mg daily, doses should be increased at weekly intervals, maximum dose rarely is used; maximum 240 mg per day.
Arrhythmias
- Oral: Initially 40 mg once daily, then increased if necessary up to 160 mg once daily, doses should be increased at weekly intervals; reduced to 40 mg daily if bradycardia occurs.
Migraine prophylaxis
- Oral: Initially 40 mg once daily, then increased in steps of 40 mg every week, adjusted according to response; maintenance 80–160 mg once daily.
Thyrotoxicosis (adjunct)
- Oral: 80–160 mg once daily.
What are the indications for the use of the beta-blocker sotalol hydrochloride?
- Symptomatic non-sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias
- Prophylaxis of paroxysmal atrial tachycardia or fibrillation, paroxysmal AV re-entrant tachycardias, and paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia after cardiac surgery
- Maintenance of sinus rhythm following cardioversion of atrial fibrillation or flutter
- Oral: Initially 80 mg daily in 1–2 divided doses, then increased to 160–320 mg daily in 2 divided doses, dose to be increased gradually at intervals of 2–3 days. - Life-threatening arrhythmias including ventricular tachyarrhythmias
- Oral: Initially 80 mg daily in 1–2 divided doses, then increased to 160–320 mg daily in 2 divided doses, dose to be increased gradually at intervals of 2–3 days, higher doses of 480–640 mg daily may be required for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias (under specialist supervision).
Which beta-blocker may prolong the QT interval?
Sotalol hydrochloride
Important: manufacturer advises particular care is required to avoid HYPOKALAEMIA in patients taking sotalol—electrolyte disturbances, particularly hypokalaemia and hypomagnesaemia should be corrected before sotalol started and during use
In addition to the contraindications for all beta-blockers, what are two addition contraindications for the use of sotalol hydrochloride?
Long QT syndrome (congenital or acquired)
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