Beta-blockers
-
Coenzyme Q
10
(CoQ
10
)
—Supplementation Possibly Helpful
- Chromium
—Possible Helpful Interaction
- Coleus forskohlii
—Theoretical Interaction
En Español (Spanish Version)Beta-blockers are used for hypertension as well as for a variety of heart conditions.
Drugs that fall into this family include
- Acebutolol hydrochloride (Sectral)
- Atenolol (Tenormin)
- Alprenolol
- Betaxolol hydrochloride (Kerlone)
- Bisoprolol fumarate (Zebeta)
- Carteolol (Cartrol)
- Carvedilol (Coreg)
- Esmolol hydrochloride (Brevibloc)
- Labetalol hydrochloride (Normodyne, Trandate)
- Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)
- Nadolol (Corgard)
- Penbutolol (Levatol)
- Pindolol (Visken)
- Propranolol hydrochloride (Betachron E-R, Inderal, Inderal LA)
- Sotalol (Betapace)
- Timolol maleate (Blocadren)
- and others
Supplementation Possibly Helpful
There is some evidence that beta-blockers (specifically propranolol, metoprolol, and alprenolol) might impair the body's ability to utilize the substance coenzyme Q
10
(CoQ
10
).
1,2
This is particularly worrisome, because CoQ
10
appears to play a significant role in normal heart function.
3
Depletion of CoQ
10
might be responsible for some of the side effects of beta-blockers. In one study, CoQ
10
supplements reduced side effects caused by the beta-blocker propranolol.
4
The beta-blocker timolol may interfere with CoQ
10
production to a lesser extent than other beta-blockers.
Possible Helpful Interaction
Beta-blockers have been known to reduce levels of HDL ("good") cholesterol. According to one study, chromium supplementation can offset this adverse effect.
5
Theoretical Interaction
The herb
Coleus forskohlii
relaxes blood vessels and might have unpredictable effects on blood pressure if combined with beta-blockers.
Kishi H, et al. Bioenergetics in clinical medicine. III. Inhibition of coenzyme Q
10
-enzymes by clinically used anti-hypertensive drugs.
Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol.
1975;12:533-540.
Kishi T, et al. Bioenergetics in clinical medicine. XV. Inhibition of coenzyme Q
10
-enzymes by clinically used adrenergic blockers of beta receptors.
Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol.
1977;17:157-164.
Folkers K. Basic chemical research on coenzyme Q
10
and integrated clinical research on therapy of diseases. As cited in: Lenaz G, ed.
Coenzyme Q.
New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons; 1985.
Hamada M, Kazatain Y, Ochi T, et al. Correlation between serum CoQ
10
level and myocardial contractility in hypertensive patients. In:
Biomedical and Clinical Aspects of Coenzyme Q, Vol 4.
Amsterdam: Elsevier; 1984: 263-270.
Roeback JR, et al. Effects of chromium supplementation on serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in men taking beta-blockers. A randomized, controlled trial.
Ann Intern Med
.
1991;115:917-924.
Last Reviewed July 2012