Esmolol High Blood Pressure Medicine
Esmolol high blood pressure medicine
High blood pressure medicine Esmolol belongs to a group of high blood pressure medicines known as beta-blockers. Beta-blockers act by blocking specific receptors (beta-receptors), that are found in the heart, lungs and other organs of the body and as a result prevent the action of two naturally occurring substances known as noradrenaline and adrenaline. These substances are often referred to as the 'fight or flight' chemicals, as they are released in the body in response to stress and are responsible for the body's reaction to stressful situations e.g. rapid heart beats (palpitations or tachycardia) and widening of the airways to prevent rapid breathing (hyperventilation). Esmolol is a fast acting beta-blocker and is only given by slow injection into the veins. It acts specifically on the receptors in the heart muscle and is therefore known as a cardio-selective beta-blocker. One of the theoretical advantages of cardio-selective beta-blockers is that the effect of the medicine is restricted mainly to the heart muscle and does not produce any unwanted effects on other organs. However in some cases these effects may be observed on other organs. The mechanism by which beta-blockers work is not fully understood. It is thought that blocking beta-receptors in the heart causes the heart to beat more slowly and with less force. In heart disorders, where increased heart beats (tachycardia) or irregular or abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) are present, beta-blockers work by returning the heart back to its normal rhythm and controlling the heart rate. As a result of this it reduces the pressure at which blood is pumped out of the heart to the rest of the body and produces a reduction in high blood pressure. Hence esmolol is used as a high blood pressure medicine, tachycardia and arrhythmias. Esmolol is usually administered in a hospital setting and requires close medical supervision.
This high blood pressure medicine may mask the symptoms of low blood sugar such as increased heart rate, tremor and nausea. People with diabetes should carefully monitor their blood sugar. Individuals taking this medicine should be monitored for changes in blood pressure.
This medicine is only available from hospitals. Careful monitoring is required during prolonged use of this medicine as it can lead to heart failure. Use with caution in breathing difficulties due to a narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm) , Decreased kidney function, Diabetes, Low blood pressure (hypotension).
This high blood pressure medicine should not be used in pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
There is no information available about the safety of this high blood pressure medicine during breastfeeding. For this reason, the manufacturer states that it should not be used during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
high blood pressure medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
Headache
Confusion
Fatigue
Sweating
Low blood pressure (hypotension)
Death of the skin cells (skin necrosis)
Dizziness
Nausea and vomiting
Sleepiness (somnolence)
Inflammation of the wall of a vein with a blood clot forming in the affected segment of vein (local thrombophlebitis)
Skin reactions such as rash and itch
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
When taken together with calcium channel blockers such as verapamil and nifedepine, the risk of heart block and heart failure may be significantly increased. It is advised that these two high blood pressure medicines should not be used concurrently and this high blood pressure medicine should not be administered 48 hours after discontinuing verapamil.
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