Question
Enumerate β blockers. Explain any six uses and two contraindications of β blockers
(2+3+1=6)
Q26 marksEssays
Answer
Beta blockers
- Non-selective: Propranolol, Nadolol, Timolol
- β1-selective (cardioselective): Atenolol, Metoprolol, Bisoprolol, Esmolol
- With additional α-blocking activity: Labetalol, Carvedilol
Uses (any six)
- Hypertension
- Angina pectoris
- Cardiac arrhythmias (supraventricular tachycardia, control of ventricular rate in AF)
- Chronic heart failure (bisoprolol, carvedilol, metoprolol — improve survival)
- Post-myocardial infarction (secondary prevention)
- Migraine prophylaxis
- Essential tremor
- Glaucoma (timolol eye drops)
- Hyperthyroidism (symptomatic control, e.g. thyroid storm)
- Performance/stage anxiety
Contraindications
- Bronchial asthma/COPD (bronchospasm risk, especially non-selective agents)
- Severe bradycardia / high-degree AV block
- (Also: decompensated/acute heart failure, severe peripheral vascular disease)
- 1Antiarrhythmic Drugs
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