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Pharmacy & Pharmacology vocabulary · Drug Classes

Beta blocker

Meaning in pharmacy & pharmacology, with examples

/ˈbeɪtə ˌblɑkər/nounCommon term

In pharmacy & pharmacology, beta blocker means: A medicine that blocks the effects of adrenaline on beta receptors and slows the heart rate, used for angina, heart failure, irregular heartbeat and high blood pressure.

In Turkish: beta bloker

How it is used

Names end in -olol: bisoprolol, metoprolol, atenolol, propranolol. Some are cardioselective (mainly beta-1), others non-selective. Pharmacists check for asthma, because non-selective beta blockers can cause bronchospasm, and counsel about tiredness, cold hands and not stopping suddenly. Also spelled beta-blocker.

Example sentences

  1. He's on a beta blocker, so his heart rate doesn't go up much when he exercises.

  2. Bisoprolol is a cardioselective beta blocker.

Common collocations

  • on a beta blocker
  • cardioselective beta blocker
  • non-selective beta blocker
  • start a beta blocker
  • antagonistA drug that binds to a receptor without activating it and so blocks the effect of the body's own substances or of other drugs.
  • antihypertensiveA medicine used to lower high blood pressure, such as an ACE inhibitor, an angiotensin receptor blocker, a calcium channel blocker or a thiazide diuretic.
  • contraindicationA condition or situation in which a particular medicine should not be used because the risk of harm is too high, such as pregnancy, an allergy or a certain disease.
  • receptorA protein on or inside a cell that a drug or a natural substance such as a hormone binds to, starting a change in how the cell works.

More terms: Drug Classes

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