Wednesday May 7, 2008
Nebivolol (Bystolic)

Q: How nebivolol (Bystolic), the newly approved beta-blocker, is different from previously approved 18 other beta-blockers?


A: Nebivolol is said to be the 19th beta blocker approved for US market. Nebivolol (Bystolic), is approved by FDA for the treatment of hypertension. The drug is a selective beta 1 blocker but has the added pharmacological properties of producing vasodilation and reducing total peripheral resistance brought about by modulation of nitric-oxide release, rather any receptor blockade.

Coreg (Carvedilol) is another new generation b-blocker which does vasoldilation, but via alpha receptor blocakade.

Because of vasodilatory properties Nebivolol and Coreg have also shown benefit (vs placebo) in heart failure. Unlike Coreg, Nebivolol is not approved for the treatment of heart failure (yet).


Previous related pearls: Regarding Coreg