Medical Uses
Large differences exist in the pharmacology of agents within the class, thus not all beta blockers are used for all indications listed below.
Indications for beta blockers include:
- Angina pectoris
- Atrial fibrillation
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Chronic headaches
- Congestive heart failure
- Essential tremor
- Glaucoma
- Hypertension
- Migraine prophylaxis
- Mitral valve prolapse
- Myocardial infarction
- Phaeochromocytoma, in conjunction with α-blocker
- Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
- Symptomatic control (tachycardia, tremor) in anxiety and hyperthyroidism
- Theophylline overdose
Beta blockers have also been used for:
- Acute aortic dissection
- Hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy
- Marfan syndrome (treatment with propranolol slows progression of aortic dilation and its complications)
- Prevention of variceal bleeding in portal hypertension
- Possible mitigation of hyperhidrosis
- Social and other anxiety disorders
Read more about this topic: Beta Blocker
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