Why Shouldn't You Take Beta-Blockers

Beta-Blockers should be avoided in the case of people who are pregnant, have asthma, or have diabetes or low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). They should also not be taken with medicines used to treat high blood pressure, some antidepressants, allergy shots, oral diabetes medicines and insulin, COPD medications, caffeine, cough and cold medicines, and alcohol.

Beta-blockers (beta-adrenergic blocking agents) are medications used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain (angina), abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), heart failure, tremors, pheochromocytoma, and hypertrophic subaortic stenosis.

Less commonly, beta blockers are used to prevent migraines, or to treat overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), anxiety, tremor, and glaucoma (as eyedrops).

Beta-blockers work by blocking the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and epinephrine (adrenaline) from binding to beta receptors on nerves which helps reduce heart rate and lower blood pressure.

Beta-Blockers List

Examples of beta-blockers include: 

• Acebutolol (Sectral)
• Atenolol (Tenormin)
• Betaxolol (Kerlone)
• Bisoprolol fumarate (Zebeta)
• Carteolol hydrochloride (Cartrol)
• Metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor)
• Metoprolol succinate (Toprol-XL)
• Nadolol (Corgard)
• Penbutolol sulfate (Levatol)
• Pindolol (Visken)
• Propranolol hydrochloride (Inderal)
• Sotalol hydrochloride (Betapace)
• Timolol maleate (Blocadren)

Certain people should not take beta-blockers:

• Some beta-blockers are not recommended for use during pregnancy
  • They may cause low blood pressure, excess potassium in the blood (hyperkalemia), kidney failure, and harm to a fetus
• Beta-blockers are generally not recommended for people who have asthma because they can cause asthma attacks
• Beta-blockers may mask the symptoms of low blood sugar in patients who have diabetes or low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Tell your doctor all medications you use, because beta-blockers may interact with:
  • Other medicines used to treat high blood pressure
  • Certain antidepressants
  • Allergy shots
  • Oral diabetes medicines and insulin
  • Medicines to treat asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Products that have caffeine 
  • Over-the-counter cough and cold medicines, antihistamines, and antacids that contain aluminum
  • Alcohol
• Other people who may not be good candidates for taking beta-blockers include those who have: 
  • Heart disease or poor circulation to the hands or feet
  • Slow heart rate (bradycardia) or heart block
  • Overactive thyroid
  • Kidney or liver disease
  • Are over 60 years of age