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What is your typical approach to the use of beta blockers in the setting of recent cocaine use amongst patients presenting with cocaine-related MI, arrhythmias, or new-onset heart failure?

If these patients were already prescribed non-selective beta blockers outpatient, do you recommend withholding these medications in the acute phase?
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What is your inpatient approach to beta blockers amongst patients with recent cocaine use who are prescribed outpatient beta blockers?

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2 Answers
Mednet Member
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Cardiology · Yale University School of Medicine
Answered on

I favor using or continuing non-selective beta-blockers in patients presenting with acute cardiac manifestations of recent cocaine use. My preferred agent in this setting is carvedilol.

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Mednet Member
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Cardiology · Interventional cardiologist
Answered on

BB withdrawal has similar manifestations to cocaine-induced alpha receptor activation (minus tachycardia). So continued BB use would be advisable. BB with alpha receptor effects like carvedilol or labetalol are reasonable options in this setting.

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