Beta Blocker Users...Please Respond

How does a beta blocker actually work? I understand that it stops too much adrenaline from making your heart rate go too fast...but I guess my question is...how does it know to do that?

Is the drug idle in your body and then "comes out" so to say, to respond to the adrenaline when necessary? Like an on demand drug? Or does it live in you so to say, all the time and always at work so that your heart rate can never go up and out of control no matter what you do?

I'm on it again. 25 Atenelol...which I am reacting to just fine so far. I don't feel sluggish or anything just kind of mellow. Which in my world is working me for! After the trauma from yesterday-I love it so I am guessing it's in my veins and at work all the time....but was curious.

Also wondering if the dose people are prescribed at all related to weight or is it by HR guidelines? For example, if I weigh 110 pounds and am taking 25, would someone who weighs twice as me take the same dose meaning maybe I might need to take less or does that have nothing to do with it?

I ask that question because I have had complications when prescribed a drug and they didn't think about my weight.

The effects that I am feeling (2 days on) the best it will get? Or is it the kind of medicine that needs to build up to really work the magic?
Thanks,
Wendy

2 Comments

Beta Blockers

by SMITTY - 2010-03-12 02:03:15

This article from www.medicinenet.com tells it as plainly as any I have seen.

What are beta blockers and how do they work?

By: Jay W. Marks, MD and Omudhome Ogbru, PharmD

Beta blockers, also known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, are drugs that block norepinephrine and epinephrine (adrenaline) from binding to beta receptors on nerves. There are three types of beta receptors and they control several functions based on their location in the body.

Beta-1 (â1) receptors are located in the heart, eye, and kidneys;

beta (â2) receptors are found in the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, liver, uterus, blood vessels, and skeletal muscle; and

beta (â3) receptors are located in fat cells.
Beta blockers primarily block â1 and â2 receptors. By blocking the effect of norepinephrine and epinephrine, beta blockers reduce heart rate; reduce blood pressure by dilating blood vessels; and may constrict air passages by stimulating the muscles that surround the air passages to contract.

For what conditions are beta blockers used?

Beta blockers are used for treating: abnormal heart rhythm, high blood pressure, heart failure, angina (chest pain), tremor, pheochromocytoma, and
prevention of migraines.

They also have been found to prevent further heart attacks and death after a heart attack. Other uses include the treatment of hyperthyroidism, akathisia (restlessness or inability to sit still), and anxiety. Some beta blockers reduce the production of aqueous humor in the eye and therefore are used for reducing pressure in the eye caused by glaucoma.


Are there any differences between beta blockers?

Beta blockers differ in the type of beta receptors they block and, therefore, their effects.

Non-selective beta blockers, for example, propranolol (Inderal), block â1 and â2 receptors and, therefore, affect the heart, blood vessels, and air passages.

Selective beta blockers, for example, metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL) primarily block â1 receptors and, therefore, mostly affect the heart and do not affect air passages.

Some beta blockers, for example, pindolol (Visken) have intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA), which means they mimic the effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine and can cause an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Beta blockers with ISA have smaller effects on heart rate than agents that do not have ISA.

Labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate) and carvedilol (Coreg) block beta and alpha-1 receptors. Blocking alpha receptors adds to the blood vessel dilating effect of labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate) and carvedilol (Coreg).

Atenolol

by cfritza - 2010-03-12 02:03:49

Hi Wendy,
what I understatnd beta blocker do is that they slow the conduction of your heart so it beats slower and contracts more efficiently. If you have tachy/brady heartbeats then when your heart races I would think one would feel very anxious like a panic attack. So maybe the atenolol will help keep it from going so fast? Weight really doesn't play a part they usually start you on the lowest does and see how you do which is 25mg. I only take 12.5 of atenolol
half a tab cuz my b/p was getting too low sometimes and my Dr said this was fine. I may need to take a higher dose down the road but for now it works fine. Beta Blockers have been around a long time and from what I know they are a pretty good they don't work for everyone I've been on them for over 8 yrs and haven't had any problems except when my heart brady'd down real low and paused they weren't sure if my atenolol contributed to that so was off for a year and half. Beta blockers tend to kick in right away unlike some others that take a few days. Hope this helped. Best of luck! Carol

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