The Diverse Properties and Uses of Beta-Blockers

Pharmacist CEU
notesMonograph
Contact Hours: 2.0 (0.2 CEUs)

Course Summary

Beta-blockers are essential in the treatment of many cardiovascular diseases, including congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, and tachyarrhythmias. Beta-blockers are also used for migraine prophylaxis, performance anxiety, glaucoma, and various other conditions. They have notable side effects, contraindications, and warnings associated with their use. Pharmacists should be aware of these when determining the appropriateness of beta-blocker therapy. Additionally, pharmacists should note any potential drug interactions when beta-blocker therapy is initiated. This course will review the pharmacologic characteristics of beta-blockers, identify indications for beta-blocker therapy, and highlight adverse reactions, contraindications, warnings, and interactions associated with beta-blocker therapy. Finally, the management of beta-blocker overdose will be discussed.


Course Objectives

Describe the mechanism of action of beta-blockers, including differentiating between nonselective and beta-1 selective agents

Identify indications for beta-blockers, including labeled and off-label uses

Discuss side effects, interactions, warnings, and contraindications of beta-blocker therapy

Review the management of beta-blocker overdose


I. Introduction

II. History of Beta-blockers

III. Clinical Pharmacology

IV. Mechanism of Action

1. Beta Receptor Specificity
2. Intrinsic Sympathomimetic Activity
3. Membrane Stabilizing Activity
4. Lipid Solubility
5. Serotonin Receptor Activity

V. Pharmacological Profile of Beta-blockers

VI. Pharmacokinetics

VII. Labeled Uses

1. Angina Pectoris
2. Atrial Fibrillation
3. Mild to Moderate Heart Failure
4. Hypertension
5. Myocardial Infarction
6. Ventricular Arrhythmias
7. Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension

VIII. Off-Label Uses

IX. Beta-blocker Dosage Forms, Metabolism, and Half-lives

X. Contraindications and Warnings

1. Patients with Asthma or COPD
2. Diabetes Mellitus
3. Withdrawal Warning

XI. Adverse Reactions

XII. Drug Interactions

XIII. Specific Populations

1. Pregnancy
2. Lactation
3. Renal Impairment
4. Hepatic Impairment

Beta-Blocker Poisoning

1. Beta-Blocker Overdose: Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment\
2. Intravenous Glucagon

XIV. Summary

How to Earn Credit:
To earn credit for this course, participants must:
  1. Read the course objectives and faculty planner disclosure
  2. Read the course material
  3. Complete the post-test with a minimum score of 70% and complete the course evaluation form.
  4. Results are automatically submitted to CPE Monitor

Faculty Planner Disclosure

The following individuals were involved in the development of this activity: Marilyn Lajoie, MD, DC, CCSP, Susan DePasquale, MSN, PMHNP-BC, Amanda Mayer, PharmD, and Jeff Goldberg, PharmD, BCPP. There are no financial relationships relevant to this activity to report or disclose by any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.


Unlabeled Use Disclosures

The information provided in this course is general in nature and it is solely designed to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant’s professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, must consult with their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization, for guidelines, protocols, and procedures they are to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures but is for academic purposes only, and this course’s limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses are constantly changing, and any person taking this course understands that such person must make an independent review of medication information prior to any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course, or course material.

Computer Hardware/Software Requirements

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  • Operating System: Windows 7,8,10, or 11 /Mac OS X 10.9 or later/iOS/Android
  • Supported Browsers: Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, Opera
  • A connection to the internet
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Rating: 4.98/5

Based on the ratings of 244 customers

  • Target Audience: Pharmacist
  • Contact Hours: 2.0 (0.2 CEUs)
  • Activity Release Date: 10/18/2022
  • Activity Expiration Date: 10/18/2025
  • Activity Type: Knowledge
  • UAN: 0669-0000-22-045-H01-P
  • Topic: Disease State Management/Drug Therapy
  • CeBroker Number: 20-965526

Author:

Marilyn Lajoie, MD, DC, CCSP

AUTHOR BIO

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