beta blockers in thyrotoxicosis
Last reviewed 01/2018
- beta blockers should be considered in all patients with significant hyperthyroidism
- beta blockers ameliorate many of the acute symptoms of hyperthyroidism - eg. tachycardia, tremor, restlessness - within 1-2 days of starting therapy but do not affect the underlying disease. Propanolol is used customarily but other non-selective beta blockers are equally useful; nadolol and atenolol require only daily administration and may increase compliance. If initiated, beta blockers should be continued until the patient is rendered euthyroid by other means of treatment
- in cases of thyroiditis or in those with mild toxic nodular hyperthyroidism treated with radioiodine, beta blockers may be the only treatment required
- beta blockers are contra-indicated in patients with asthma should be used with caution in patients with heart failure