esmolol

What is the most important information I should know about esmolol?

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 this medicine.

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.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving esmolol?

• 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;
• allergies;
• kidney disease;
• coronary artery disease (hardened arteries); or
• peripheral vascular disease such as Raynaud's syndrome.

In an emergency, you may not be able to tell caregivers if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Make sure any doctor caring for your pregnancy or your baby knows you received this medicine.

How is esmolol given?

Esmolol is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Because you will receive esmolol in a clinical setting, you are not likely to miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Since this medicine is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid while receiving esmolol?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What are the possible side effects of esmolol?

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• very slow heartbeats;
• swelling in your hands or feet;
• wheezing, chest tightness, feeling short of breath;
• weak or shallow breathing;
• pain, swelling, irritation, bruising, or skin changes around the IV needle;
• cold feeling in your hands and feet;
• high potassium --nausea, slow or unusual heart rate, weakness, loss of movement; or
• low blood sugar --headache, hunger, sweating, irritability, dizziness, nausea, fast heart rate, and feeling anxious or shaky.

Common side effects may include:

• increased sweating;
• nausea;
• dizziness, drowsiness; or
• low blood pressure.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect esmolol?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• digoxin, digitalis;
• blood pressure medication;
• diet pills, stimulants, ADHD medication (Ritalin, Adderall, and others);
• insulin or oral diabetes medicine; or
• medicines to treat asthma, colds, or allergies.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect esmolol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about esmolol.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.01. Revision date: 4/19/2019.