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Beta-blockers

Beta-blocker medicines slow the heart rate and decrease how forcefully the heart contracts. This reduces the amount of oxygen the heart needs to work. Beta-blockers are often used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), chest pain, and heart failure.

Examples of beta-blocking medicines include:

  • Atenolol (Tenormin).
  • Propranolol hydrochloride (such as Inderal).
  • Esmolol hydrochloride (Brevibloc).
  • Metoprolol (such as Lopressor or Toprol XL).
  • Acebutolol (Sectral).
  • Carteolol (such as Cartrol).
  • Penbutolol sulfate (Levatol).
  • Pindolol (Visken).
Author Monica Rhodes
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Denele Ivins
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD
- Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC
- Interventional Cardiology
Last Updated December 18, 2006

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: December 18, 2006
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