What Is Esmolol Used For?
Esmolol hydrochloride (
Brevibloc®) is a prescription
beta blocker medication approved for the treatment of the following medical conditions:
Using Esmolol for Arrhythmias
Esmolol is approved for treating very rapid and irregular heart rates in emergency situations. In particular, it is approved to treat
atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, or other similar irregular heart rhythms originating in the atria of the heart (the upper chambers).
Esmolol begins working quickly but also stops working very quickly. This makes it ideal for use when short-term correction of arrhythmias is necessary. Esmolol is not intended for use in long-terms situations.
Esmolol Use for High Blood Pressure or Rapid Heart Rate During Surgery
Esmolol is also approved to
treat high blood pressure or rapid heart rate that occurs during or after surgery. Sometimes the body responds to surgery (or the anesthetic procedures or medications) by increasing the heart rate and
blood pressure. If the healthcare provider decides that these problems need treatment (which is not always the case), esmolol can rapidly correct high blood pressure or a rapid heart rate.
However, it should not be used to treat high blood pressure caused by a low body temperature (hypothermia) during surgery.
