BETA-ADRENERGIC BLOCKING AGENT

A class of drugs that compete with beta-adrenergic agonists for accessible receptor sites; some compete for both b1 and b2 receptors (e.g., propranolol) while others are primarily either b1 (e.g., metoprolol) or b2 blockers; used in the treatment of a variety of cardiovascular illness where beta-adrenergic blockade is desirable. Synonym: beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent, beta-adrenoreceptor antagonist, beta-blocker.