Beta blocker

Beta blockers are medications used to treat a wide variety of conditions including angina, hypertension (high blood pressure), congestive heart failure, tachyarrhythmias and migraines. Examples of beta blockers include Bucindolol, Bisoprolol, Metoprolol, and Carvedilol.

They work by blocking the action at beta adrenergic receptors. These receptors normally respond to adrenaline (epinephrine) and other stress hormones. There are three types of beta receptors found in different parts of the body, and some beta blockers are selective for a specific type.

Patient genotypes at SNPs rs1801252 and rs1801253 appear to influence how well beta blockers lower blood pressure.

External links

• Wikipedia article on Beta blockers
• Side effects of beta blockers

PubMed links

[PMID 18784654] CYP2D6*4 homozygotes taking a beta blocker like metoprolol are at 4x increased risk for bradycardia; see rs3892097? for more details