5-Minute Emergency Consult
Beta-Blocker Poisoning
Basics
Description
Other
Normal Physiology
- Cardiovascular: β1-receptors:
- ATP converted to cAMP by adenyl cyclase with stimulation of β-receptors
- cAMP activates protein kinase, which phosphorylates proteins of the sarcoplasmic reticulum
- Sarcoplasmic reticulum releases calcium
- Excitation–contraction coupling occurs
- Effects of β-blockers:
- Cardiovascular:
- Decreased excitation/contraction, lowering heart rate and contractility
- Sodium channel blockade can cause a prolongation of the QRS complex (propranolol, carvedilol)
- Prolongation of QTc interval leading to ventricular dysrhythmias or Torsades de Pointes (sotalol)
- Neurologic:
- CNS effects with the lipophilic agents (propranolol)
- Cardiovascular:
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Citation
Schaider, Jeffrey J., et al., editors. "Beta-Blocker Poisoning." 5-Minute Emergency Consult, 6th ed., Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2020. Emergency Central, emergency.unboundmedicine.com/emergency/view/5-Minute_Emergency_Consult/307509/2.3/Beta_Blocker_Poisoning_.
Beta-Blocker Poisoning. In: Schaider JJJ, Barkin RMR, Hayden SRS, et al, eds. 5-Minute Emergency Consult. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2020. https://emergency.unboundmedicine.com/emergency/view/5-Minute_Emergency_Consult/307509/2.3/Beta_Blocker_Poisoning_. Accessed June 16, 2026.
Beta-Blocker Poisoning. (2020). In Schaider, J. J., Barkin, R. M., Hayden, S. R., Wolfe, R. E., Barkin, A. Z., Shayne, P., & Rosen, P. (Eds.), 5-Minute Emergency Consult (6th ed.). Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. https://emergency.unboundmedicine.com/emergency/view/5-Minute_Emergency_Consult/307509/2.3/Beta_Blocker_Poisoning_
Beta-Blocker Poisoning [Internet]. In: Schaider JJJ, Barkin RMR, Hayden SRS, et al, eds. 5-Minute Emergency Consult. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2020. [cited 2026 June 16]. Available from: https://emergency.unboundmedicine.com/emergency/view/5-Minute_Emergency_Consult/307509/2.3/Beta_Blocker_Poisoning_.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - ELEC
T1 - Beta-Blocker Poisoning
ID - 307509
ED - Barkin,Adam Z,
ED - Shayne,Philip,
ED - Rosen,Peter,
ED - Schaider,Jeffrey J,
ED - Barkin,Roger M,
ED - Hayden,Stephen R,
ED - Wolfe,Richard E,
BT - 5-Minute Emergency Consult
UR - https://emergency.unboundmedicine.com/emergency/view/5-Minute_Emergency_Consult/307509/2.3/Beta_Blocker_Poisoning_
PB - Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
ET - 6
DB - Emergency Central
DP - Unbound Medicine
ER -
