Which of the following is a beta blocker?

Which of the following is a beta blocker?

• A. Atenolol
• B. Benazepril
• C. Simvastatin
• D. Guaifenesin

Answer: (A)

Beta blockers work by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors, which slows the heart and lowers blood pressure. Atenolol is a cardioselective beta-1 blocker, so it reduces heart rate and the heart’s workload, making it a classic example of a beta blocker used for hypertension and chest pain. The other drugs have different actions: benazepril is an ACE inhibitor that dilates vessels by blocking angiotensin II formation; simvastatin lowers cholesterol by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase; guaifenesin is an expectorant that loosens mucus. Because of these distinct mechanisms, they are not beta blockers.

Beta blockers work by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors, which slows the heart and lowers blood pressure. Atenolol is a cardioselective beta-1 blocker, so it reduces heart rate and the heart’s workload, making it a classic example of a beta blocker used for hypertension and chest pain. The other drugs have different actions: benazepril is an ACE inhibitor that dilates vessels by blocking angiotensin II formation; simvastatin lowers cholesterol by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase; guaifenesin is an expectorant that loosens mucus. Because of these distinct mechanisms, they are not beta blockers.