Metoprolol Mnemonics and Beta Blockers

Metoprolol Mnemonic and Other Betablockers

Metoprolol tartrate is short acting and usually given BID.  

Metoprolol succinate is long acting. and usually given once a day.

BETA BLOCKERS

These medications prevent norepinephrine and epinephrine from attaching to beta receptors on nerves. By inhibiting these neurotransmitters, they lower heart rate and blood pressure by dilating blood vessels.

Uses:

• Manage hypertension, heart failure, arrhythmias, and angina (not for immediate relief).
• Treat glaucoma (when used as eye drops).
• Prevent future heart attacks in patients who have had a heart attack.
• Prevent migraine headaches.

The generic names of beta blockers typically end in "lol." 

Beta blockers are also used to reduce brain activity, helping to alleviate palpitations during panic attacks, reduce essential tremors, and ease situational anxiety. They may also help reduce migraine headaches in some individuals.

Really Important to Know  

Warning! Patients should consult their physician before stopping their medication. Suddenly discontinuing beta blockers can lead to severe worsening of angina, heart attacks, or sudden death.

Examples

acebutolol (Sectral)

atenolol* (Tenormin)

betaxolol (Kerlone)

bisoprolol* (Zebeta)

carteolol (Cartrol)

carvedilol* (Coreg)

! esmolol (Brevibloc)

! labetalol (Trandate)

! metoprolol* (Lopressor, Toprol-XL)

nadolol (Corgard)

nebivolol* (Bystolic)

penbutolol (Levatol)

pindolol (Visken)

propranolol (Inderal)

sotalol (Betapace)

timolol (Timoptic)

One of the top 200 most commonly prescribed medications. 
! high alert drug

Beta blockers can be cardio selective or non-cardio selective. 

Cardio selective beta blockers act on Beta 1 receptors which are found in the heart.                

Beta 1=1 heart

Non cardio selective beta blockers act on Beta 2 receptors found in the lungs.                       

Beta 2=2 lungs

                                  

Nurses must check heart rate and blood pressure before and after administration of beta blockers. 

Beta blockers can mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia

Use with caution when giving betablockers to COPD and asthma patients because of the potential for causing bronchospasms and wheezing.