arrow_back Back to Course List
description Monograph

The Diverse Properties and Uses of Beta-Blockers

Target Audience: Pharmacist, Pharmacy Tech, Physician Assistant, Physician

star star star star star_outline 3.7/5 based on 3 ratings
schedule 3.00 Contact Hours (0.30 CEUs)
category Disease State Management/Drug Therapy
local_activity Knowledge

Course Overview

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.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:

  • 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 a beta-blocker overdose

Faculty

Authors & Activity Planners
Pamela Sardo, Pharm.D., B.S.
View Bio +
Pamela Sardo, Pharm.D., B.S. is a licensed pharmacist and Freelance Medical Writer at Sardo Solutions in Texas.
Steve Malen, PharmD, MBA
View Bio +
Dr. Steve Malen graduated with a dual degree: Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Rhode Island. Over his career, he has worked as a clinical pharmacist in the retail, specialty, and compounding sectors. He specialized and taught on topics from vaccines to veterinary compounding. Dr. Malen has also written a science fiction novel and taught and cofounded the concept of Patient Empowered Blockchain (P.E.B.). Currently, Dr. Malen continues to write, teach, and consult various companies in the healthcare sector.
L. Austin Fredrickson, MD, FACP
View Bio +
Dr. Fredrickson is an assistant professor of internal medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University, where he serves as core faculty and teaches diagnostics, therapeutics, clinical skills, and health humanities. He is board-certified in general internal medicine and practices rural primary care.
Anna Shurtleff Smith, MPH, BSN-RN
View Bio +
Anna Shurtleff Smith is a graduate of the University of North Texas Health Science Center, School of Public Health with a community health focus, and Texas Tech University School of Nursing. She has clinical experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings. Anna is passionate about patient education, health literacy, and health communications. When not writing, she can be found enjoying the outdoors and enjoying family time.
Sandra Rogers, MD
View Bio +
Sandra Rogers, MD, is a primary care physician in Texas. She is board-certified through the American Board of Family Medicine and the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Additional Faculty & Reviewers
Pamela Sardo, Pharm.D., B.S.
View Bio +
Pamela Sardo, Pharm.D., B.S. is a licensed pharmacist and Freelance Medical Writer at Sardo Solutions in Texas.
L. Austin Fredrickson, MD, FACP
View Bio +
Dr. Fredrickson is an assistant professor of internal medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University, where he serves as core faculty and teaches diagnostics, therapeutics, clinical skills, and health humanities. He is board-certified in general internal medicine and practices rural primary care.

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

From January 5, 2026 through January 5, 2029, participants must:

  1. Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
  2. Study the section entitled "educational activity"
  3. Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)

Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.

Faculty Planner Disclosure

The following individuals were involved in planning, developing, and/or authoring this activity: L. Austin Fredrickson, MD, FACP; Sandra Rogers, MD; Anna Shurtleff Smith, MPH, BSN-RN; Steven Malen, PharmD, MBA; and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. None of the individuals involved in developing this activity has a conflict of interest or financial relationships related to the subject matter. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.

Unlabeled Use Disclosure

The information provided in this course is general in nature, and it is designed solely 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 must consult their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization for guidelines, protocols, and procedures 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 is constantly changing. Any person taking this course understands that such a person must make an independent review of medication information before 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.

Please ensure the device you plan to use meets these requirements:

  • 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

Accreditation

In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

PTCB Recognition

RxCe.com, LLC, offers pharmacy technician continuing education courses for PTCB recertification. Pharmacy technician courses are indicated both in the Target Audience description and the ACPE UAN which will end with a "T".