Beta blockers are a type of drug used to treat high blood pressure.

Beta blocker overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of this medication.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

The specific ingredient in such drugs varies among manufacturers. The main ingredient is a beta-adrenergic blocking substance. It blocks the effects of a hormone called epinephrine on the body. Epinephrine is also called adrenaline.

Prescription beta blockers are sold under various names, including:

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

Note: This list may not be all-inclusive.

Review Date: 01/17/2010
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)