Differential pharmacological properties of beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs.

After a short introduction on the basic physiology of alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors, including their subdivisions into pre- and postsynaptic subtypes, the principle of competitive antagonism at the level of postjunctional beta-receptor subtypes is explained. Moreover, properties like membrane-stabilizing potency, beta 1-receptor selectivity (cardioselectivity), and intrinsic sympathomimetic activity are discussed at a molecular level. The most frequent applications of beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents in cardiovascular disease, neurology, psychiatry, ophthalmology, and endocrine disorders are enumerated and discussed at a pharmacological level, together with side effects, contraindications, and interactions with other drugs.