Beta blockers are a group of medications that are used high blood pressure, angina, anxiety, essential tremors, heart failure and abnormal heart rhythm. Beta blockers are generally safe to take, and side effects tend to be annoying and not life threatening. The incidence of the most common side effects is between 1-10% of the population taking beta blockers.
Welcome back my name is lucy i’m a pharmacist and a nurse and, in this video, we’ll talk about the most common side effects of beta blockers. beta blockers are medications that end with lol. these medications are used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain, abnormal heart rhythms, heart attack essential tremors, anxiety
And migraine. examples of these medications are metoprolol, bisoprolol, atenolol, labetalol and carvedilol. even though beta blockers are used to treat high blood pressure and fast heart rate, sometimes they can work too well and cause low blood pressure and slow heart rate. also, since your heart beats more slowly
When you take beta blockers, it can lead to poor circulation because the slow heart rate makes it more difficult for blood to reach your hands and feet, and you might experience coldness or tingling in your hands and feet. beta blockers can also affect your central nervous system which can lead to muscle fatigue. this
Is because of beta-2 blockage in blood vessels that supply blood to the muscle tissue, and brain tissue which leads to slight drop in blood flow to the tissues. they can also cause nightmares, insomnia or lack of sleep, and depression. beta blockers can cause bronchospasm and should be avoided in patients
Disease like asthma and copd because they can cause lung muscles to spasm which can make it difficult to breathe. beta blockers can mask low blood sugar symptoms, like sweating rapid heart rate, irritability and anxiety, shaking and this can lead to hypoglycemic unawareness. this is particularly important to patients
With diabetes. high blood pressure in itself can lead to sexual dysfunction, but studies have shown that many medications that are used to lower your blood pressure can cause sexual difficulties. in men, the decreased blood flow from use of beta blockers can reduce desire and can interfere with erection
Vaginal dryness, a decrease in desire and difficulties achieving orgasm. if your sex life is affected talk, to your health care provider switching to another medication. beta blockers can affect your lipid metabolism. this can cause an increase in triglycerides and a decrease in hdl cholesterol so your good
Cholesterol. but newer beta blockers such as carvedilol or coreg affect your cholesterol levels. beta blockers which can lead to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea. they can also cause weight gain. the average weight gain is about 2.6 pounds or 1.2 kilograms. weight gain is more likely with older better
Blockers such as atenolol and metoprolol. most of the weight gain occurs within the first few months, and they can also inhibit weight loss. do not stop beta blockers abruptly, due to risk of increase in blood pressure and heart rate. it can also cause chest pain and increase the risk of heart attack. notify your health
Care provider if the plan is to discontinue the beta blocker, your healthcare provider will taper it over a couple weeks. thank you for watching please like channel if you like this kind of content.
Transcribed from video
Most Common Beta Blockers Side Effects | Pharmacist Review By Lucy The Pharmacist
