what are the harmful effects of betalocer in diabetic patient?what are the good effects of betablocker in myocardial infarction&heart failure. Beta-adrenoreceptor blocking drugs, more commonly called beta-blockers, work on the heart and circulatory system, reducing blood pressure and having other beneficial effects on the heart and circulation. Atenolol (Tenormin) and propranolol (Inderal) are common examples.
How beta-blockers work
Beta-blockers work by blocking the action of noradrenaline at special sites (receptors) in arteries and the heart muscle. Noradrenaline is a chemical that transmits messages between nerves and muscles, or between one set of nerves and another. By blocking its action, beta-blockers can cause arteries to widen and can slow the action of the heart and decrease its force of contraction. This results in a fall in blood pressure and reduced work by the heart.
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What are beta-blockers for?
Beta-blockers are used to lower high blood pressure, relieve angina (chest pain), correct arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), reduce the risk of dying after a heart attack and treat heart failure.
Some beta-blockers are used to prevent migraine, some can reduce physical symptoms associated with anxiety, such as palpitations and shaking, and some are used for relief of symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland). There are also eye drops containing certain beta-blockers that are used to treat glaucoma, an eye condition caused by a build-up of pressure due to reduced drainage of fluid from the eye, which can result in blindness.
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Side effects of beta-blockers
The most common Side effects with beta-blockers are cold hands and feet, tiredness and sleep disturbance (nightmares). Less common side effects include, impotence, dizziness, wheezing, digestive tract problems, skin rashes and dry eyes.
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When to avoid beta-blockers
You should avoid using beta-blockers if you have:
asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema or another condition that affects your breathing, because beta-blockers can make these conditions worse by narrowing the air passages in the lungs
worsening or severe heart failure
severe disease of the arteries in the arms and legs
Use beta-blockers with care if ...
You should use beta blockers with care if you have:
poor blood circulation or Raynaud's disease (poor circulation to the hands and feet)
diabetes
kidney or liver problems
stable heart failure
A woman who is pregnant may be prescribed a beta-blocker, but there is a risk that the drug can interfere with the normal growth of the womb or cause blood sugar problems for the baby. However in pregnancy, untreated conditions such as high blood pressure can also cause problems for mother and baby. Therefore, a doctor will only prescribe a beta-blocker if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Warning:
You should not stop taking a beta-blocker suddenly, as your symptoms could worsen and you could even have a heart attack.
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Interactions with other medicines
Do not take any other medicines or herbal remedies with a beta-blocker, including those you have bought without a prescription, before talking to your doctor or pharmacist. THis is because:
anaesthetics, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and other blood pressure-lowering drugs can increase the blood pressure-lowering effects of beta-blockers
drugs that affect the heart's rhythm - antiarrhythmics - can increase the heart slowing effects of beta-blockers
certain cough and cold remedies and appetite suppressants can cause a dramatic rise in blood pressure if taken with a beta-blocker
How are beta-blockers taken?
Beta-blockers are only available on prescription. Many are available as oral preparations (eg tablets, capsules), some as injections, and some in eye drops (for glaucoma). Beta-blockers are often prescribed in combination with other drugs such as diuretics (water tablets) or calcium channel blockers. To answer the question very simply and from experience, there are no harmful effects taking a beta blocker if you are diabetic. |
