Adverse reactions to beta-blocking drugs: a review

Abstract

Adverse reactions may occur as a predictable or unpredictable drug-induced illness can be reduced if the awareness of the prescribing doctor of clinically relevant drug and patient factors, which affect the response to the drug, can be increased. However, unexpected and unpredictable adverse reactions, sometimes reported as a single case in an anecdotal case report, are more difficult to evaluate and explain. Beta-blocking agents such as propranolol, oxprenolol and practolol have been asssociated with numerous adverse reactions. The influence of drug factors, such as range of action, absorption, metabolism, excretion, interactions, and patient factors such as disease states, idiosyncrasy, and personality are discussed.