Beta blockers overdose Health Article

Definition

This is poisoning from taking a large amount of beta blockers, a type of drug used to treat high blood pressure.

Poisonous Ingredient

• Acebutolol
• Atenolol
• Betaxolol
• Bisoprolol
• Carteolol
• Esmolol
• Labetalol
• Metoprolol
• Nadolol
• Penbutolol
• Pindolol
• Propranolol
• Sotalol
• Timolol

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Where Found

• Acebutolol  (Sectral)
• Atenolol (Apo-atenolol)
• Betaxolol (Kerlone)
• Bisoprolol (Zebta)
• Carteolol (Cartrol)
• Esmolol (Brevibloc)
• Labetalol (Normodyne)
• Metoprolol (Toprol-XL)
• Nadolol (Corgard)
• Sotalol (Betapace)
• Oxprenolol (Trasicor)
• Penbutolol (Levatol)
• Pindolol (Novo-pindol)
• Propranolol (Inderal)
• Timolol (Apo-timol)

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms

• Lungs
  • Breathing trouble
  • Wheezing (in people who have asthma)
  • Breathing stops
• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat
  • Blurred vision
  • Double vision
• Heart and blood
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Lw blood pressure
  • Heartbeat - rapid or slow
  • Shock
  • Heart failure
  • Lightheadedness
• Nervous system
  • Confusion
  • Drowsiness
  • Fatigue
  • Coma
  • Convulsions
  • Nervousness
  • Weakness
• Whole body
  • Excessive sweating
  • Swelling

Home Treatment

Do not make the person throw up unless told to do so by Poison Control or a doctor.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• Name of product (as well as the ingredients and strength, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See National Poison Control center.

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

The patient may receive:

• EKG
• Medicines to treat symptoms
• Activated charcoal
• Methods to make the person throw up 
• A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)  
• Medicines to keep blood pressure within normal limits
• Methods to correct abnormal heart beats

Expectations (prognosis)

Most patients are admitted to the hospital. Death may follow low blood pressure or heart arrhythmias.