title: [Beta receptor blockers in patients with obstructive respiratory diseases -- risks and alternatives].
abstract: The use of beta-blockers should be avoided in the treatment of patients with asthma and COPD because of their broncho-constrictive effect if there are medical alternatives available. This is the case in arterial hypertension, glaucoma, supraventricular and ventricular dysrhythmia. The use of beta-I-selective drugs is indicated in the treatment of patients with coronary heart disease after myocardial infarction, since the benefit of reduction of morbidity and mortality through the coronary heart disease outweighs the potential risks if the patient is under close and careful observation and the initial dose of the beta-blocker is low. On principle patients suffering from asthma bronchiale should not be treated with beta-blockers because the risk of severe airway obstruction is higher than in patients with COPD.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik I, Klinikum Fürth. med1@klinikum-fuerth.de
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Worth
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000075202:Contraindications; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists