Drug info

Beta blockers

Heart and blood pressure medicine Prescription only

Medicines that slow the heart and blunt adrenaline. Used for heart conditions, blood pressure, migraine prevention and tremor. A whole family, each with its own personality.

Quick answer: Common beta blockers include metoprolol, bisoprolol, atenolol, propranolol, carvedilol, nebivolol, sotalol and labetalol; every generic name ends in “-lol”. They slow the heart and are used for heart conditions, blood pressure, migraine prevention and tremor. Common side effects are tiredness, cold hands and feet, and a slow pulse. Never stop them suddenly.

At a glance

For
Angina, after a heart attack, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, migraine prevention, tremor, blood pressure
Works
Heart failure: the right ones cut the risk of dying by about a third. Migraine: propranolol roughly halves attacks for many people
Cost
Most are under the $25 PBS co-payment, about $15–25 a script; $7.70 concession
Kicks in
Pulse slows within hours; migraine benefit takes 4–8 weeks
Taken for
Usually long term
Watch for
Tiredness, cold hands and feet, slow pulse, dizziness, vivid dreams or poor sleep

Cold hands and a slower pulse are part of the deal. Stopping cold turkey is not.

Brand names

List of beta blockers

Every generic name ends in “-lol”. Not all are sold in every country; brand names for the common Australian ones are listed above.

Heart-selective (mainly beta-1)

Non-selective (beta-1 and beta-2)

Also block alpha receptors (widen blood vessels)

How it works

They block the beta receptors that adrenaline acts on, so the heart beats slower and less forcefully and needs less oxygen. Blood pressure falls too.

Used for

Compared

“Heart-selective” ones mainly block the beta-1 receptors in the heart, so they’re less likely to tighten the airways. “Non-selective” ones also block beta-2 receptors in the lungs and blood vessels.

  1. Heart-selectiveMetoprolol (Betaloc, Lopresor, Minax)
    Type
    Heart-selective
    Main uses
    Angina, after a heart attack, heart rate control, blood pressure; slow-release form for heart failure
    Good to know
    Ordinary tablets are usually taken twice a day. For heart failure, the proof is for the slow-release (succinate) form
  2. Very heart-selectiveBisoprolol (Bicor)
    Type
    Very heart-selective (less so at high doses)
    Main uses
    Heart failure (its approved use in Australia); also widely used for angina, heart rate control and blood pressure
    Good to know
    Once a day. In the CIBIS-II heart failure trial, 12% died versus 17% on a dummy treatment
  3. Heart-selectiveAtenolol (Noten, Tenormin)
    Type
    Heart-selective; less gets into the brain
    Main uses
    Blood pressure, angina, fast heart rhythms
    Good to know
    Cleared by the kidneys, so lower doses in kidney disease. In blood pressure trials it protected against stroke and death less well than other blood pressure medicines, so it’s rarely a first choice now
  4. Non-selectivePropranolol (Deralin, Inderal)
    Type
    Non-selective; gets into the brain
    Main uses
    Migraine prevention, tremor, the physical side of performance anxiety (off-label), symptoms of an overactive thyroid
    Good to know
    More likely to trigger wheeze. Usually taken 2 or 3 times a day. More dangerous in overdose than other beta blockers
  5. Non-selective plus vessel-wideningCarvedilol (Dilatrend)
    Type
    Non-selective, and also blocks alpha-1 receptors, which widens blood vessels
    Main uses
    Heart failure, blood pressure
    Good to know
    Twice a day with food. Dizziness on standing is more common when starting
  6. Very heart-selective plus vessel-wideningNebivolol (Nebilet)
    Type
    Very heart-selective at usual doses; also relaxes blood vessels (via nitric oxide)
    Main uses
    Blood pressure; heart failure in people aged 70 and over
    Good to know
    Once a day
  7. Rhythm specialistSotalol (Sotacor)
    Type
    Non-selective, plus a second rhythm-control action
    Main uses
    Keeping a normal rhythm in atrial fibrillation; some dangerous ventricular rhythms
    Good to know
    Can lengthen the QT interval on the ECG and trigger a dangerous rhythm (torsades de pointes). Started with ECG checks, dosed by kidney function, and low potassium or magnesium and some other medicines add to the risk

Side effects

Full side-effect list (from the product information)

How often, from the official product information (e.g. metoprolol). Bold = serious.

Very common more than 1 in 10

  • Tiredness
  • Drop in blood pressure, incl. on standing, sometimes with fainting

Common 1 in 10 to 1 in 100

  • Dizziness or headache
  • Slow heart rate
  • Palpitations
  • Cold hands and feet
  • Short of breath on exertion
  • Nausea, tummy pain, diarrhoea or constipation

Uncommon 1 in 100 to 1 in 1,000

  • Low mood, poor concentration, nightmares
  • Sleepiness or poor sleep, weight gain, pins and needles
  • Worsening heart failure, heart block
  • Chest pain
  • Wheeze or asthma attack (bronchospasm)
  • Vomiting, rash, sweating, cramps or swelling

Rare 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 10,000

  • Nervousness, anxiety
  • Vision changes, dry or sore eyes
  • Heart rhythm disturbances
  • Runny nose, dry mouth, hair loss
  • Abnormal liver tests
  • Unmasking of diabetes, sexual problems

Very rare fewer than 1 in 10,000

  • Low platelets or white cells
  • Memory problems, confusion or hallucinations
  • Ringing in the ears, hearing problems
  • Worse leg pain on walking or Raynaud’s
  • Taste change, hepatitis, psoriasis flare
  • Sun sensitivity, joint pain, weakness

Get help urgently if

Good to know

Common questions

Are beta blockers used for anxiety?

Propranolol is sometimes used for the shaky, racing-heart side of performance anxiety, which is an off-label use. Beta blockers are mainly used for heart conditions, blood pressure, migraine prevention and tremor.

Can I stop beta blockers suddenly?

No. Stopping suddenly can trigger angina or a heart attack. Doses are reduced over 1 to 2 weeks.

Can I take beta blockers if I have asthma?

They are usually avoided in asthma and used with care in COPD. Get help urgently for wheeze or trouble breathing.

What are the names of common beta blockers?

Common ones include metoprolol, bisoprolol, atenolol, propranolol, carvedilol, nebivolol, sotalol and labetalol. Every generic name ends in “-lol”.

Information only. Not a recommendation or endorsement of any product. Whether a medicine suits you depends on your health and other medicines, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist. In an emergency, call 000 (Australia) or your local emergency number. From a mobile, 112 works in most countries.

More information

Updated 7 November 2026.

Related

maladywise.com/medicines/beta-blockers/