Table 1.

Example listing of side-effects of beta-blockers.

This is the information on side effects given to patients and their physicians according to drug information leaflets and the electronic Medicines Compendium website (http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc).

	Beta-blocker related side-effects
Cardiovascular	Bradycardia, interference with normal heart rate, irregular heart rate, slowed atrio-ventricular conduction, atrio-ventricular block, palpitations, cardiac failure, hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, angina, oedema, fluid overload, hypervolaemia, disturbances of peripheral circulation (cold extremities, peripheral vascular disease, exacerbation of intermittent claudication, gangrene in patients with poor circulation and Raynaud's phenomenon)
Respiratory	Dyspnoea, shortness of breath with or without strenuous physical activity, bronchospasm, wheeze, asthma in predisposed patients, nasal congestion, runny nose, flu like symptoms, bronchitis, pneumonia, upper respiratory tract infection
Gastro-intestinal	Abdominal pain, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, flatulence, upset stomach, hepatitis and deranged liver enzymes
Genito-urinary	Impotence, disturbances of sexual desire and performance, erectile dysfunction renal failure and renal function abnormalities in patients with diffuse vascular disease and/or underlying renal insufficiency, micturition disorders, urinary incontinence in women, urinary tract infection
Neurological	Tiredness, dizziness, depression, depressed mood, headache, pre-syncope, syncope, fainting paraesthesia, tingling or pins and needles, muscle cramps, muscle weakness, sleep disorders, nightmares, asthenia, inability to think clearly, sleepiness or difficulty sleeping, change in personality, hallucinations, hearing impairment
Skin & subcutaneous tissues	Skin reactions e.g. sensitivity to light, allergic exanthema, dermatitis, hypersensitivity reactions, angioedema, increased sweating, urticaria, pruritus, psoriatic and lichen planus like skin lesions, alopecia, worsening of existing psoriasis
Metabolism & nutrition	Dyslipidaemia, hypercholesterolemia, weight gain, impaired blood glucose control, deranged blood glucose control in existing diabetics
Haematological	Changes in blood results including anaemia, thrombocytopenia and leucopoenia, effects on blood clotting causing unexplained or easy bruising, worsening or new blood vessel disorders
Musculoskeletal	Joint inflammation, pain in extremities, myasthenia gravis
Eye disorders	Visual impairment, decreased lacrimation and dry eyes, eye irritation, conjunctivitis