CapseraBeta-adrenergic blockers
Compare the named medicines in this source-linked class directory.
Membership describes a named action or a component of a combination. A medicine may appear in several families. Medicines in one family are not automatically interchangeable; this is a study directory, not a prescribing guide.
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Combination: membership refers to the relevant component.
Generic names and pronunciation
Shared name ending: -olol · Metoprolol, Atenolol, Propranolol, Nebivolol, Bisoprolol
| Metoprolol · me-TOE-proe-lol |
| Carvedilol · KAR-ve-dil-ol |
| Atenolol · a-TEN-oh-lol |
| Propranolol · proe-PRAN-oh-lol |
| Nebivolol · ne-BIV-oh-lol |
| Timolol maleate (ophthalmic) · TYE-moe-lol |
| Bisoprolol · bis-OH-proe-lol |
| Labetalol · la-BET-a-lol |
| Dorzolamide · dor-ZOLE-a-mide |
| Timolol · TYE-moe-lol |
Pronunciation is shown for the US English generic name. A name ending is a memory cue, not a classification rule.
Body system and related classes
Body systems: Cardiovascular · Eye & ear
How each medicine works
| Metoprolol — Beta-1 selective (cardioselective) adrenergic receptor blocker without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity; blocks beta-2 at higher levels. |
| Carvedilol — Racemic mixture: nonselective beta-blockade from the S(-) enantiomer and alpha-1 blockade from both enantiomers; no intrinsic sympathomimetic activity. |
| Atenolol — Beta-1 selective adrenergic blocker without membrane stabilizing or intrinsic sympathomimetic activity; selectivity lost at higher doses. |
| Propranolol — Nonselective beta blockade generally reduces myocardial oxygen demand in angina. Its antihypertensive mechanism is not established; reduced cardiac output, renin release and sympathetic outflow may contribute. |
| Nebivolol — Antihypertensive mechanism not definitively established; may involve lower heart rate and contractility, less renin, vasodilation. |
| Timolol maleate (ophthalmic) — Non-selective beta1/beta2 adrenergic receptor blocker without significant intrinsic sympathomimetic or membrane-stabilizing activity. |
| Bisoprolol — Beta-1-selective adrenoceptor blocker without significant membrane-stabilizing or intrinsic sympathomimetic activity at therapeutic doses. |
| Labetalol — Combines selective competitive alpha1 blockade with nonselective competitive beta blockade. |
| Dorzolamide / Timolol — Both reduce aqueous humor secretion: dorzolamide inhibits carbonic anhydrase II; timolol is a non-selective beta-blocker. |
Each summary is the mechanism line from the medicine’s study card.
What each medicine is used for
| Metoprolol — Hypertension in adults; Long-term angina pectoris treatment to reduce attacks and improve exercise tolerance; Reduction of cardiovascular mortality in hemodynamically stable patients with definite or suspected acute myocardial infarction |
| Carvedilol — Mild-to-severe chronic heart failure of ischemic or cardiomyopathic origin, usually with other heart-failure medicines; Reduction of cardiovascular mortality in clinically stable survivors of acute myocardial infarction with LVEF at or below 40%; Essential hypertension |
| Atenolol — Hypertension |
| Propranolol — Hypertension and angina pectoris; Ventricular-rate control in atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response; Reduction of cardiovascular mortality after the acute phase of myocardial infarction in clinically stable patients; Migraine prophylaxis and essential tremor |
| Nebivolol — Hypertension |
| Timolol maleate (ophthalmic) — Ocular hypertension; Open-angle glaucoma |
| Bisoprolol — Hypertension in adults |
| Labetalol — Hypertension in adults |
| Dorzolamide / Timolol — Elevated intraocular pressure in open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension when beta-blockers alone do not achieve the target IOP |
Each list is the uses line from the medicine’s study card.
Telling these medicines apart
Medicines in this class: 9 · single-ingredient: 8 · combination products: 1
Not in the reviewed -olol name-ending list: Carvedilol, Timolol maleate (ophthalmic), Labetalol, Dorzolamide / Timolol
Also in other drug classes: Carvedilol (Alpha-1 adrenergic blockers) · Labetalol (Alpha-1 adrenergic blockers)
By body system: Cardiovascular (Metoprolol, Carvedilol, Atenolol, Propranolol, Nebivolol, Bisoprolol, Labetalol) · Eye & ear (Timolol maleate (ophthalmic), Dorzolamide / Timolol)
Listed on more than one card in this class
Used for
Hypertension in adults · 3/9: Metoprolol, Bisoprolol, Labetalol
Hypertension · 2/9: Atenolol, Nebivolol
Common side effects
Dizziness · 5/9: Metoprolol, Carvedilol, Atenolol, Bisoprolol, Labetalol
Bradycardia · 5/9: Metoprolol, Carvedilol, Atenolol, Propranolol, Timolol maleate (ophthalmic)
Fatigue · 3/9: Carvedilol, Nebivolol, Labetalol
Headache · 3/9: Nebivolol, Timolol maleate (ophthalmic), Bisoprolol
Depression · 2/9: Metoprolol, Atenolol
Warnings
May mask hypoglycemia · 2/9: Metoprolol, Carvedilol
Contraindicated in sinus bradycardia, >1st-degree block · 2/9: Atenolol, Propranolol
Interactions
CYP2D6 inhibitors · 3/9: Metoprolol, Nebivolol, Timolol maleate (ophthalmic)
Verapamil / diltiazem · 2/9: Nebivolol, Bisoprolol
Boxed warning
1/9: Atenolol
An item counts as shared only when both cards use the same wording. If a card does not list an item, that is not a statement that the effect never occurs.