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Skeletal formula of propranolol, the first clinically successful beta blocker

Beta blockers (sometimes written as ß-blocker) is a class of drugs used for various indications, but particularly for the management of cardiac arrhythmias, cardioprotection after myocardial infarction (heart attack), and hypertension. As beta adrenergic receptor antagonists, they diminish the effects of epinephrine (adrenaline) and other stress hormones. Invented by Sir James W. Black in the late 1950s, Propranolol was the first clinically useful beta blocker; it revolutionized the medical management of angina pectoris and is considered to be one of the most important contributions to clinical medicine and pharmacology of the 20th century.^[1] Beta blockers may also be referred to as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, beta-adrenergic antagonists, or beta antagonists.

Beta blockers block the action of endogenous catecholamines (epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) in particular), on ß-adrenergic receptors, part of the sympathetic nervous system which mediates the "fight or flight" response. There are three known types of beta receptor, designated ß₁, ß₂ and ß₃. ß₁-Adrenergic receptors are located mainly in the heart and in the kidneys. ß₂-Adrenergic receptors are located mainly in the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, liver, uterus, vascular smooth muscle, and skeletal muscle. ß₃-receptors are located in fat cells.

Examples of beta-blockers include: acebutolol, betaxolol, bisoprolol, esmolol, propranolol, atenolol, labetalol, carvedilol, metoprolol, and nebivolol.

[edit] ß-Receptor antagonism

Stimulation of ß₁ receptors by epinephrine induces a positive chronotropic and inotropic effect on the heart and increases cardiac conduction velocity and automaticity. Stimulation of ß₁ receptors on the kidney causes renin release. Stimulation of ß₂ receptors induces smooth muscle relaxation, induces tremor in skeletal muscle, and increases glycogenolysis in the liver and skeletal muscle. Stimulation of ß₃ receptors induces lipolysis.

Beta blockers inhibit these normal epinephrine-mediated sympathetic actions, but have minimal effect on resting subjects. That is, they reduce the effect of excitement/physical exertion on heart rate and force of contraction, dilation of blood vessels and opening of bronchi, and also reduce tremor and breakdown of glycogen.

It is therefore expected that non-selective beta blockers have an antihypertensive effect. The antihypertensive mechanism appears to involve reduction in cardiac output (due to negative chronotropic and inotropic effects), reduction in renin release from the kidneys, and a central nervous system effect to reduce sympathetic activity (for those ß-blockers that do cross the blood-brain barrier, e.g. Propranolol).

Antianginal effects result from negative chronotropic and inotropic effects, which decrease cardiac workload and oxygen demand. Negative chronotropic properties of beta blockers allow the lifesaving property of heart rate control. Beta blockers are readily titrated to optimal rate control in many pathologic states.

The antiarrhythmic effects of beta blockers arise from sympathetic nervous system blockade – resulting in depression of sinus node function and atrioventricular node conduction, and prolonged atrial refractory periods. Sotalol, in particular, has additional antiarrhythmic properties and prolongs action potential duration through potassium channel blockade.

Blockade of the sympathetic nervous system on renin release leads to reduced aldosterone via the renin angiotensin aldosterone system with a resultant decrease in blood pressure due to decreased sodium and water retention.

[edit] Intrinsic sympathomimetic activity

Also referred to as intrinsic sympathomimetic effect, this term is used particularly with beta blockers that can show both agonism and antagonism at a given beta receptor, depending on the concentration of the agent (beta blocker) and the concentration of the antagonized agent (usually an endogenous compound such as norepinephrine). See partial agonist for a more general description.

Some beta blockers (e.g. oxprenolol, pindolol, penbutolol and acebutolol) exhibit intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA). These agents are capable of exerting low level agonist activity at the ß-adrenergic receptor while simultaneously acting as a receptor site antagonist. These agents, therefore, may be useful in individuals exhibiting excessive bradycardia with sustained beta blocker therapy.

Agents with ISA are not used in post-myocardial infarction as they have not been demonstrated to be beneficial. They may also be less effective than other beta blockers in the management of angina and tachyarrhythmia.^[2]

[edit] a₁-Receptor antagonism

Some beta blocker (e.g. labetalol and carvedilol) exhibit mixed antagonism of both ß- and a₁-adrenergic receptors, which provides additional arteriolar vasodilating action.

[edit] Other effects

Beta blockers decrease nocturnal melatonin release, perhaps partly accounting for sleep disturbance caused by some agents.^[3]

Beta blockers protect against social anxiety: "Improvement of physical symptoms has been demonstrated with beta-blockers such as propranolol; however, these effects are limited to the social anxiety experienced in performance situations." (example: an inexperienced symphony soloist) ^[4]

Beta blockers can impair the relaxation of bronchial muscle (mediated by beta-2) and so should be avoided by asthmatics.

They can also be used to treat glaucoma because they decrease intraocular pressure by lowering aqueous humor secretion.^[5]

[edit] Clinical use

Large differences exist in the pharmacology of agents within the class, thus not all beta blockers are used for all indications listed below.

Indications for beta blockers include:

• Angina pectoris
• Atrial fibrillation
• Cardiac arrhythmia
• Congestive heart failure
• Essential tremor
• Glaucoma
• Hypertension
• Migraine prophylaxis
• Mitral valve prolapse
• Myocardial infarction
• Phaeochromocytoma, in conjunction with a-blocker
• Symptomatic control (tachycardia, tremor) in anxiety and hyperthyroidism

Beta blockers have also been used in the following conditions:

• Acute dissecting aortic aneurysm
• Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
• Marfan syndrome (treatment with propranolol slows progression of aortic dilation and its complications)
• Prevention of variceal bleeding in portal hypertension
• Possible mitigation of hyperhidrosis
• Social anxiety disorder and other anxiety disorders

[edit] Congestive heart failure

Although beta blockers were once contraindicated in congestive heart failure, as they have the potential to worsen the condition, studies in the late 1990s showed their positive effects on morbidity and mortality in congestive heart failure.^{[6] [7] [8]} Bisoprolol, carvedilol and sustained-release metoprolol are specifically indicated as adjuncts to standard ACE inhibitor and diuretic therapy in congestive heart failure.

Beta blockers are primarily known for their reductive effect on heart rate, although this is not the only mechanism of action of importance in congestive heart failure ^{[citation needed]}. Beta blockers, in addition to their sympatholytic B1 activity in the heart, influence the renin/angiotensin system at the kidneys. Beta blockers cause a decrease in renin secretion, which in turn reduce the heart oxygen demand by lowering extracellular volume and increasing the oxygen carrying capacity of blood. Beta blockers sympatholytic activity reduce heart rate, thereby increasing the ejection fraction of the heart despite an initial reduction in ejection fraction.

Trials have shown that beta blockers reduce the absolute risk of death by 4.5% over a 13 month period. As well as reducing the risk of mortality, the number of hospital visits and hospitalizations were also reduced in the trials.^[9]

[edit] Anxiety and performance enhancement

Some people have used beta blockers for performance enhancement, and especially to combat 'performance anxiety'. In particular, musicians, public speakers, actors, (especially, pornographic actors), and professional dancers, have been known to use beta blockers to avoid stage fright and tremor during public performance and especially auditions. The physiological symptoms of the fight/flight response associated with performance anxiety and panic (pounding heart, cold/clammy hands, increased respiration, sweating, etc.) are significantly reduced, thus enabling anxious individuals to concentrate on the task at hand. Stutterers also use beta blockers to avoid fight/flight responses, hence reducing the tendency to stutter. Officially, beta blockers are not approved for anxiolytic use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.^[10]

Since they promote a lower heart rate and reduce tremor, beta blockers have been used by some Olympic marksmen to enhance performance, though beta blockers are banned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).^[11] Although they have no recognisable benefit to most sports, it is acknowledged that they are beneficial to sports such as archery and shooting. A recent, high-profile transgression took place in the 2008 Summer Olympics, where 50 metre pistol silver medallist and 10 metre air pistol bronze medallist Kim Jong-su tested positive for propranolol and was stripped of his medal.

[edit] Preventing PTSD

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is theorized to be the result of neurological patterns caused by adrenaline and fear in the brain. By administering beta blockers immediately following a traumatic event, as well as over the next couple weeks, the formation of PTSD has been reduced in clinical studies.^[12]

[edit] Adverse effects

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with the use of beta blockers include: nausea, diarrhoea, bronchospasm, dyspnea, cold extremities, exacerbation of Raynaud's syndrome, bradycardia, hypotension, heart failure, heart block, fatigue, dizziness, abnormal vision, decreased concentration, hallucinations, insomnia, nightmares, clinical depression, sexual dysfunction, erectile dysfunction and/or alteration of glucose and lipid metabolism. Mixed a₁/ß-antagonist therapy is also commonly associated with orthostatic hypotension. Carvedilol therapy is commonly associated with edema.^[2]

Central nervous system (CNS) adverse effects (hallucinations, insomnia, nightmares, depression) are more common in agents with greater lipid solubility, which are able to cross the blood-brain barrier into the CNS. Similarly, CNS adverse effects are less common in agents with greater aqueous solubility (listed below).

Adverse effects associated with ß₂-adrenergic receptor antagonist activity (bronchospasm, peripheral vasoconstriction, alteration of glucose and lipid metabolism) are less common with ß₁-selective (often termed "cardioselective") agents, however receptor selectivity diminishes at higher doses. Beta blockade, especially of the beta-1 receptor at the macula densa inhibits renin release, thus decreasing the release of aldosterone. This causes hyponatremia and hyperkalemia.

A 2007 study revealed that diuretics and beta-blockers used for hypertension increase a patient's risk of developing diabetes while ACE inhibitors and Angiotensin II receptor antagonists (Angiotensin Receptor Blockers) actually decrease the risk of diabetes.^[13] Clinical guidelines in Great Britain, but not in the United States, call for avoiding diuretics and beta-blockers as first-line treatment of hypertension due to the risk of diabetes.^[14]

Beta blockers must not be used in the treatment of cocaine, amphetamine, or other alpha adrenergic stimulant overdose. The blockade of only beta receptors increases hypertension, reduces coronary blood flow, left ventricular function, and cardiac output and tissue perfusion by means of leaving the alpha adrenergic system stimulation unopposed.^[15] The appropriate antihypertensive drugs to administer during hypertensive crisis resulting from stimulant abuse are vasodilators like nitroglycerin, diuretics like furosemide and alpha blockers like phentolamine.^[16]

[edit] Toxicity

Glucagon has been used in the treatment of overdose.^[17][18] Glucagon has a positive inotropic action on the heart and decreases renal vascular resistance. It is therefore useful in patients with beta-blocker cardiotoxicity. Cardiac pacing should be reserved for patients unresponsive to pharmacological therapy.

[edit] Examples of beta blockers

Dichloroisoprenaline, the first beta blocker.

[edit] Non-selective agents

• Alprenolol
• Bucindolol
• Carteolol
• Carvedilol (has additional a-blocking activity)
• Labetalol (has additional a-blocking activity)
• Nadolol
• Penbutolol (has intrinsic sympathomimetic activity)
• Pindolol (has intrinsic sympathomimetic activity)
• Propranolol
• Timolol

[edit] ß₁-Selective agents

• Acebutolol (has intrinsic sympathomimetic activity)
• Atenolol
• Betaxolol
• Bisoprolol
• Celiprolol
• Esmolol
• Metoprolol
• Nebivolol

[edit] ß₂-Selective agents

• Butaxamine (weak a-adrenergic agonist activity) - No common clinical applications, but used in experiments.
• ICI-118,551 Highly selective ß₂-adrenergic receptor antagonist - No known clinical applications, but used in experiments due to its strong receptor specificity.

[edit] ß₃-Selective agents

• SR 59230A (has additional a-blocking activity) - Used in experiments.

[edit] Comparative information

[edit] Pharmacological differences

• Agents with intrinsic sympathomimetic action (ISA)
  • Acebutolol, carteolol, celiprolol, mepindolol, oxprenolol, pindolol
• Agents with greater aqueous solubility
  • Atenolol, celiprolol, nadolol, sotalol
• Agents with membrane stabilizing effect
  • Acebutolol, betaxolol, pindolol, propranolol
• Agents with antioxidant effect
  • Carvedilol, nebivolol

[edit] Indication differences

• Agents specifically indicated for cardiac arrhythmia
  • Esmolol, sotalol, landiolol
• Agents specifically indicated for congestive heart failure
  • Bisoprolol, carvedilol, sustained-release metoprolol, nebivolol
• Agents specifically indicated for glaucoma
  • Betaxolol, carteolol, levobunolol, metipranolol, timolol
• Agents specifically indicated for myocardial infarction
  • Atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol
• Agents specifically indicated for migraine prophylaxis
  • Timolol, propranolol

Propranolol is the only agent indicated for control of tremor, portal hypertension and esophageal variceal bleeding, and used in conjunction with a-blocker therapy in phaeochromocytoma.^[2]

[edit] See also

• Alpha blockers

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Better Playing Through Chemistry by Blair Tindall, New York Times, October 17, 2004. (Discusses the use of beta blockers among professional musicians)
• Musicians using beta blockers by Blair Tindall. Condensed version of above article.
• In Defense of the Beta Blocker by Carl Elliott, The Atlantic, August 20, 2008. (Discusses the use of propranolol by a North Korean pistol shooter in the 2008 Olympics)
• MeSH beta-Adrenergic+Blockers

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Beta blocker".