If you have asthma and have been prescribed a beta blocker, you may wonder whether you should stop it because of your asthma medicines.
Beta blockers are used for several different conditions. They may be prescribed for heart problems or high blood pressure, but they can also be used for irregular heart rhythms, migraine prevention, anxiety symptoms, overactive thyroid, certain tremors and other medical conditions.
Because some beta blockers can affect the airways and may reduce the effect of certain asthma medicines, people with asthma need careful consideration when taking them. However, having asthma does not automatically mean that you cannot take a beta blocker. In some situations, a suitable beta blocker can be used under medical supervision.
Why can beta blockers be a concern in asthma?
Some beta blockers can affect the receptors in the airways that help asthma medicines open the breathing passages.
This is particularly important with non-selective beta blockers, which can block the beta receptors involved in airway relaxation.
As a result, they can sometimes cause wheezing or bronchospasm and may reduce the effect of beta-agonist medicines, such as salbutamol.
This does not mean that every person with asthma cannot take a beta blocker.
Can I use my asthma inhalers while taking a beta blocker?
Yes, in many cases.
If you have been prescribed a regular maintenance inhaler, you should generally continue using it as prescribed. Maintenance inhalers are important for keeping asthma under control and reducing the risk of asthma attacks.
Some maintenance inhalers contain medicines that reduce inflammation, while others also contain a long-acting medicine that helps keep the airways open.
A beta blocker does not cancel the anti-inflammatory effect of an inhaled corticosteroid. However, if the maintenance inhaler contains a long-acting beta-agonist, a beta blocker can potentially reduce some of its airway-opening effect.
This is one reason your doctor should know about all the medicines you are taking.
What about my rescue inhaler?
Rescue or reliever inhalers, such as salbutamol, work quickly to relax the airway muscles during asthma symptoms.
Because salbutamol is a beta-agonist, some beta blockers can reduce its effect.
If you notice that your usual reliever inhaler is not working as well as it normally does, or your wheezing and breathlessness are increasing after starting a beta blocker, contact your doctor.
Do not simply stop your beta blocker yourself.
So, can I take a beta blocker if I have asthma?
Sometimes, yes.
The decision depends on:
- Why you need the beta blocker
- Which beta blocker you are taking
- The dose
- How well your asthma is controlled
- Your previous response to beta blockers
- Which asthma medicines you are using
When a beta blocker is important for the heart, a cardio selective beta blocker may be considered in appropriate patients under medical supervision. GINA states that asthma should not be regarded as an absolute contraindication to cardio selective beta blockers when they are indicated for important cardiovascular conditions.
Should I stop my beta blocker?
No. Do not stop it on your own.
Suddenly stopping some beta blockers can cause problems, particularly when they have been prescribed for significant heart disease or abnormal heart rhythms and other conditions.
If you have asthma and need a beta blocker, your doctor can decide whether the medicine is appropriate, whether a different beta blocker would be better, or whether your treatment needs closer monitoring.
Likewise, do not stop your regular asthma maintenance inhaler because you are taking a beta blocker. Keeping asthma well controlled is an important part of reducing the risk of breathing problems. GINA recommends continued use of appropriate inhaled corticosteroid-containing treatment for asthma.
The important message
Having asthma does not automatically mean you cannot take a beta blocker.
Some beta blockers can worsen bronchospasm or reduce the response to beta-agonist medicines such as salbutamol. However, when a beta blocker is medically important, particularly for a heart condition, it may still be possible to use one safely with appropriate medical assessment and monitoring.
The important thing is not to stop either your beta blocker or your asthma treatment on your own.
Your heart and lung medicines should be considered together so that you receive the treatment you need for both conditions.
The Chest Clinic – Dr. Javed Husain & Associates, Karachi
At The Chest Clinic, Dr. Javed Husain & Associates, patients with asthma can have their breathing symptoms, inhalers and other medicines reviewed together. This is particularly useful when a patient has both asthma and a heart condition requiring medicines such as beta blockers. The Chest Clinic is based in Karachi and provides specialist respiratory care for patients with asthma and other lung conditions.
For appointments and information call +923018479066 and +923293364949. or email us at connect@thechestclinic.pk