what the heck does a betablocker do?

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Specializes in NICU and travel nursing.

We have to know the cellular level of all our drugs, this one I CANNOT understand. I am not sure what a beta cell does that may be the problem...can someone help me? (esp metoprolol, i dont understand)

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Specializes in telemetry, cardiopulmonary stepdown, LTC. Hospice.

The only way I can respond is from my experience. I've been taking betablockers (Coreg) for almost 4 years now due to a peripartum cardiomyopathy (which has healed nicely, I might add, but I'm on these just in case). Physically, beta blockers stop the adrenaline process somehow. I can be just as scared by something as I ever was, but I don't feel the physical effects like sweating palms, racing heart, fight-or-flight response, etc. Sometimes they make me feel like I have no emotions, or don't have the energy to summon them up. When I was on Toprol, I became almost devoid of emotions and was nearly depressed...but they all work differently on different people. I like Coreg much better. Two hours after taking my Coreg, I do get VERY tired and have to keep active. My heart rate also slows considerably, especially at night, and I have heard that beta blockers are good at controlling irregular heartbeats.

This is probably not the technical info you wanted, but I thought maybe hearing how it makes a person feel might help you find some of the info you need.

Cara

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Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.

check this site out

http://www.texasheartinstitute.org/betameds.html

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.

Beta blockers are drugs that work primarily at the synapse between nerve cells and decrease stimulation of those nerve cells by blocking the stimulating effect of the neurotransmitter...in this case, norepinephrine. Beta 1 receptors are primary receptors of the heart muscle. The drug attaches itself to the Beta 1 receptor, thereby blocking norepinephrine from attaching. This decreases the stimulus to that nerve and reduce the impulse down that nerve body. The result is decreased heart rate and blood pressure. Beta 2 receptors are primary adrenergic receptors in the lungs. Hope this helps.

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Specializes in Medical, Paeds, Ob gyn, NICU.

I know this one

I am studying pharmacology at the moment and this is one of the 100 drugs :uhoh3: that we need to know for the exam

Metoprolol is a beta1 antagonist (beta blocker)

It is a cardioselective beta blocker that will decrease heart rate and decrease force of contraction.

It does not act on a beta cell, but the beta1 adrenoceptor.

Beta blockers competitively inhibit the effects of catacholamines (adrenaline and noradrenaline) at beta-adrenergic receptor sites.

Tina

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