Esmolol
Generic name: esmolol [ ES-moe-lol ]
Brand name: Brevibloc
Dosage form: intravenous solution (10 mg/mL; 20 mg/mL)
Drug classes:Cardioselective beta blockers, Group II antiarrhythmics
What is esmolol?
Esmolol is a beta-blocker that is used to help keep the heart beating normally in people with certain heart rhythm disorders of the atrium (the upper chambers of the heart that allow blood to flow into the heart). Esmolol is used in people with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter.
Esmolol is also used during surgery to help regulate blood pressure and heart rate.
Esmolol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Warnings
You should not be treated with esmolol if you have a serious heart condition ("sick sinus syndrome" or "AV block"), very slow heartbeats, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, or if you are receiving certain IV heart or blood pressure medications.
In an emergency, you may not be able to tell caregivers about your health conditions. Make sure any doctor caring for you afterward knows you received esmolol.
Before taking this medicine
You should not be treated with esmolol if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
a serious heart condition such as "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV block" (second or third degree);
a history of slow heart beats that have caused you to faint;
severe heart failure;
pulmonary hypertension (increased pressure inside the blood vessels of the lungs and heart); or
a condition for which you are being treated with intravenous (IV) heart or blood pressure medication (such as diltiazem, nicardipine, or verapamil).
If possible before you receive esmolol, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
a heart condition called Prinzmetal's angina;
asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing disorder;
diabetes;
pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland);
overactive thyroid;
