From the Guidelines
Suitable Beta Blockers for Tachycardia
Beta blockers such as metoprolol or propranolol are suitable for the management of tachycardia, as recommended by guidelines 1.
- Metoprolol can be used for long-term management of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) 1.
- Propranolol is also recommended for the long-term management of SVT and VT, and can be used for acute conversion of paroxysmal SVT 1.
- Esmolol may be used in acute settings, such as perioperative tachycardia or supraventricular tachycardia, due to its rapid onset and short duration of action 1. The choice of beta blocker and dosage should be individualized based on the patient's specific condition, heart rate, and blood pressure response.
Important Considerations
- Atenolol should not be used for any arrhythmia, as stated in the guidelines 1.
- AV nodal blocking agents should not be used in patients with pre-excitation on resting ECG, and beta-blocking agents should be used with caution in the first trimester of pregnancy 1.
- Class III drugs should not be used in cases with prolonged QTc 1. It is essential to consider these factors when selecting a beta blocker for the management of tachycardia.
From the FDA Drug Label
ESMOLOL HYDROCHLORIDE injection, for intravenous use Initial U. S. Approval: 1986 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Esmolol hydrochloride injection is a beta adrenergic blocker indicated for the short-term treatment of: Control of ventricular rate in supraventricular tachycardia including atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter and control of heart rate in noncompensatory sinus tachycardia ( 1-1.1)
- Esmolol is a suitable beta blocker for tachycardia, specifically for the short-term treatment of:
- Supraventricular tachycardia
- Noncompensatory sinus tachycardia
- Perioperative tachycardia 2
From the Research
Suitable Beta Blockers for Tachycardia
- Metoprolol is a beta blocker that has been shown to be effective in treating hypertension and can be used to treat tachycardia 3, 4.
- The study by 3 found that metoprolol succinate extended release was effective in lowering blood pressure and had a dose-related effect.
- Another study by 4 found that low-dose metoprolol was effective in treating neuroleptic-induced akathisia, suggesting that it can be used at low doses to achieve therapeutic effects.
- Atenolol is also a beta blocker that has been used to treat hypertension and can be used to treat tachycardia 5.
- Nadolol is another beta blocker that has been used to treat hypertension and can be used to treat tachycardia 5.
Key Considerations
- The choice of beta blocker will depend on the individual patient's needs and medical history.
- It is essential to consider the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the beta blocker, as well as any potential side effects or interactions with other medications.
- The studies by 3 and 4 suggest that metoprolol can be an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for tachycardia.