NEW DELHI: Beta-blockers, drugs prescribed commonly to people suffering from irregular heartbeat and hypertension among other ailments, can lead to dangerously low potassium levels or hypokalaemia, the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) – an autonomous body under the Union health ministry – has warned.
The IPC issues regular drug safety alerts. In its latest alert, it said beta-blockers can cause adverse drug reactions like hypokalaemia (low potassium levels). “Healthcare professionals, patients/consumers are advised to closely monitor the possibility of the above adverse drug reaction with the use of above suspected drugs,” the drug safety alert issued by IPC said.
“If such a reaction is encountered, please report to the National Coordination Centre (NCC) for the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) by filling out suspected adverse drug reactions,” it added. PvPI is a programme of govt that monitors drug safety and adverse drug reactions to improve patient safety.
Beta-blockers mentioned in the drug safety alert include Metoprolol, Propranolol and Atenolol. Cardiologists say hypokalaemia due to beta-blockers, though serious, is an extremely rare phenomenon.
“Hypokalaemia can cause irregular heartbeat, sudden palpitations and other life-threatening complications. But we don’t see it often,” Dr Mohit Gupta, professor of cardiology at Delhi’s G B Pant Hospital, said.
He, however, advised that elderly people and those using diuretics – medicines that help reduce fluid build-up in the body – should be extra careful in using beta-blockers because they are more at risk of side-effects such as low potassium levels and complications associated with it.
“Beta-blockers for non-essential conditions such as high blood pressure should not be used as a first line drug,” Dr Gupta said. He added that the IPC alert was issued only as an advisory and people using the drug should not panic as hypokalaemia was extremely rare in beta-blocker users.