title: Beta-adrenergic blockade. An update.
abstract: beta-Adrenergic blockade represents a major pharmacologic advance. These drugs bind to membrane adrenergic receptors interfering with the effects of endogenous catecholamines. Eight beta-blockers are available in the United States, and others are being studied. The drugs have varying pharmacodynamic properties that may modify certain side effects: beta 1-selectivity, partial agonism, alpha-adrenergic blocking activity, membrane stabilization, and varying pharmacokinetic characteristics. The drugs have been shown to be relatively safe and useful for a wide variety of cardiovascular and noncardiovascular disease states, and their wide spectrum of therapeutic activity illustrates the importance of the sympathetic nervous system in the pathophysiology of medical illness.
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Frishman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Teicher
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000188:drug therapy; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000187:drug effects; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha / Q000187:drug effects; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D011942:Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha