The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Health, has issued a safety alert regarding beta-blockers, commonly prescribed drugs for conditions like irregular heartbeat and hypertension. The alert warns that these medications can lead to hypokalaemia, a condition marked by dangerously low potassium levels.
In its latest advisory, the IPC said, “Healthcare professionals, patients, and consumers are advised to closely monitor for this potential adverse reaction while using these drugs. If such a reaction is encountered, please report to National Coordination Centre (NCC) for Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PVPI) by filling out suspected adverse drug reactions.” The PvPI monitors drug safety to ensure patient well-being.
The beta-blockers mentioned in the alert include Metoprolol, Propranolol, and Atenolol. However, experts emphasized that hypokalaemia is an extremely rare side effect of these drugs.
Rare But Serious Side Effect
Dr. Mohit Gupta, a professor of cardiology at Delhi’s GB Pant Hospital, noted that while hypokalaemia can cause severe complications such as irregular heartbeat and palpitations, its occurrence in beta-blocker users is uncommon.
However, he advised that elderly people and those using diuretics drugs that help reduce fluid build-up in the body should be extra careful in using beta-blockers as they are more at risk of side-effects such as low potassium levels and complications associated with it.
He further recommended that beta-blockers should not be the first-line treatment for non-essential conditions like high blood pressure.
He added that the IPC alert was issued only as an advisory and people using the drug should not panic as hypokalaemia was extremely rare in beta-blocker users.
