What are Beta Blockers? Types, Side Effects & More (2022)
Betahistine (also known as beta blockers) is a class of drugs that works in the body in many different ways. They are prescribed for a variety of uses, including helping to control your heartbeat after you have had surgery on your heart. There are several different types of beta blockers, but they all work similarly.
They block the effects of adrenaline and other stress hormones called beta-adrenergic receptors. As a result, they help reduce high blood pressure and anxiety by reducing the impact of those hormones on your body.
Beta-blockers should not be confused with beta carotene (an antioxidant found in foods such as carrots and sweet potatoes) or any other kind of blocker, such as an access blocker, firewall, or virtual private network (VPN).
What are the Uses of Beta Blockers?
Beta-Blockers are often used to treat high blood pressure, but they may also be used to treat certain types of arrhythmia, tachycardia, heart rate issues, and other cardiovascular issues. Beta-blockers are also prescribed to help prevent migraine headaches and treat anxiety or cognitive issues.
In some cases, they may be used as a treatment for performance anxiety or as a sleep aid. Beta-blockers are available by prescription only, and therefore they cannot be bought over the counter.
How do Beta Blockers Work?
Beta-blockers work in many different ways, but most do so by affecting how your body responds to the hormone adrenaline. Beta-blockers are often prescribed for people with heart attacks or who have been diagnosed with coronary heart disease, arrhythmias, or tachycardia.
They may also be given to people with high blood pressure; in some cases, beta blockers are used to prevent migraines. Beta-blockers work by inhibiting the effects of the hormone adrenaline on your heart, blood vessels, and other organs.
Since adrenaline is one of the main hormones that cause your body to respond to stress, beta blockers can be prescribed to help reduce anxiety and ease symptoms of panic disorders.
Side Effects of Beta Blockers
Most side effects of beta blockers are mild or temporary and are not a reason to stop taking the medication. You may experience some side effects, but they should go away after taking the drug for a few weeks. You should let your doctor know if you experience any of the following side effects.
1. Dry Mouth
This is one of beta blockers’ most common side effects. A dry mouth is sometimes accompanied by a metallic taste in the mouth, although this is less common. You can help prevent dry mouth by drinking plenty of water, chewing sugar-free gum, and using a saliva substitute if necessary.
2. Constipation
Beta blockers can cause constipation, but this side effect often resolves on its own after a few months. If you experience constipation while taking beta blockers, you should increase your fiber intake and drink plenty of water. Your doctor may also prescribe a laxative.
3. Decreased Sex Drive
A reduction in sex drive is another common side effect of beta blockers. It is not known exactly why this happens, but it is thought to be related to beta blockers’ effect on serotonin, a hormone that plays an important role in sexual desire. Beta-blockers may also reduce your ability to achieve orgasm.
If you experience a decrease in sex drive while taking beta blockers, there are a few things you can do to try to remedy the situation. You can try taking a different type of medication (although this may not be possible for everyone), or you can talk to your doctor about potentially taking a lower dosage.
Who Should Not Take Beta Blockers?
If you are allergic to any of the ingredients in beta blockers, you should not take them. You should also not take beta blockers if you have asthma or COPD or if you have certain types of heart failure. Beta-blockers are not safe for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you are taking beta blockers and are interested in becoming pregnant, talk to your doctor about switching to another type of medication as soon as possible. Beta-blockers can pass through the placenta and enter the fetus’s bloodstream, and there is some evidence that taking beta-blockers during pregnancy can cause congenital disabilities. Beta-blockers can also reduce milk production in breastfeeding mothers.
Conclusion
There are several different types of beta blockers, but they all work similarly. They block the effects of adrenaline and other stress hormones called beta-adrenergic receptors. As a result, they help reduce high blood pressure and anxiety by reducing the impact of those hormones on your body.
Beta-blockers should not be confused with beta carotene (an antioxidant found in foods such as carrots and sweet potatoes) or any other kind of blocker, such as an access blocker, firewall, or virtual private network (VPN).
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