Please someone kindly explain why do we use beta blockers on diabetics when we know that it masks hypoglicemia symptoms? First aid mentions part of the htn therapy for diabetics pg 298 first aid 2014 which i cannot figure out why, please someone? :notsure:
I think beta blockers can be given to a diabetic because their benefits in HTN far outway the risk of masking hypoglycemic symptoms. Here's what I found online:
"In the past, physicians were hesitant to use beta blockers in patients with diabetes because of the concern that hypoglycemic symptoms could be masked or that recovery from hypoglycemia could be blunted. However, UKPDS 39 showed no difference in the rates of minor or major hypoglycemic episodes in patients treated with atenolol compared with those treated with captopril (Capoten)"
thank you very much for taking time to reply.
other facts i can add to your helpful post is that beta 1selectives are preferred if using beta blockers and funny thing is that gathered data show they remain underprescribed even after research like you found.
I was reviewing pharmacology from FA2014 today and just noticed that they added the exact answer to your question. It pretty much says the same thing. They also changed a lot in the beta blockers section. You shoud get FA2014 if you don't already have it.
where? i have the pdf version going along with my physical 2013.
isaw on pg 298 that they only mention beta blockers as treatment for hypertension on diabetics
Page 251 the toxicity part.
Also check the last note on Nebivolol a completely new drug I've never heard of.
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