Esmolol is a drug used during surgeries or emergencies to treat arrhythmias, tachycardia, or hypertension. This eMedTV segment covers this medicine in more detail, including how it works, potential side effects, and more.
Common side effects of esmolol include fatigue, drowsiness, and skin reaction at the injection site. This eMedTV Web page lists other common side effects and also explains which problems may require immediate medical attention.
Esmolol is approved to treat arrhythmias, tachycardia, or hypertension during emergencies or surgeries. This eMedTV resource covers the uses of esmolol in more detail, explains how the medicine works, and discusses the use of this drug in children.
Typically, dosing for esmolol is started with one or more "loading doses." As this eMedTV page explains, this dosage is given over 30 to 60 seconds and is meant to rapidly control the heart rate. After this dose, a continuous infusion is started.
Warfarin, morphine, and digoxin are some of the medicines that may cause esmolol drug interactions. This eMedTV segment lists other drugs that may interfere with esmolol and explains what may happen if these medicines are taken together.
Low blood pressure is the most common side effect reported with esmolol. This eMedTV segment offers more precautions and warnings with esmolol (including a list of other possible side effects) and includes information on who should not use this drug.
Taking an overdose of esmolol may result in congestive heart failure, cardiac arrest, or breathing problems. This eMedTV resource lists other potential overdose effects and describes various treatment options that are available for an overdose.
Esmolol may not be safe for use in women who are expecting. This article from the eMedTV Web site provides more information on pregnancy and esmolol, and describes the results of animal studies and limited human experience with the medication.
It is currently unknown whether esmolol passes through breast milk in humans. This eMedTV article offers a more in-depth look at breastfeeding and esmolol, and explains whether problems are likely to occur if the drug does pass through breast milk.
