Adrenergic blockers, specific agents

Systemic effects are the most important adverse effects of / -blockers. Drug absorbed systematically may produce decreased heart rate, reduced blood pressure, negative inotropic effects, conduction defects, bronchospasm, central nervous system effects, and alteration of serum lipids, and may block the symptoms of hypoglycemia. The -specific agents betaxolol and possibly carteolol (due to ISA) are less likely to produce the systemic adverse effects caused by / -adrenergic blockade, such as the cardiac effects and bronchospasm, but a real risk still exists. The use of timolol as a gel-forming liquid or betaxolol as a suspension allows for administration of less drug per day, and therefore reduces the chance for systemic adverse effects compared with the aqueous solutions. 

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