Which medication is a nonselective beta-blocker with alpha-blocking activity?

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Multiple Choice

Which medication is a nonselective beta-blocker with alpha-blocking activity?

This item tests knowledge of how different beta-blockers interact with receptors. Carvedilol, sold as Coreg CR, is a nonselective beta-blocker meaning it blocks both beta-1 and beta-2 receptors. It also has alpha-1 blocking activity, which adds vasodilation. The combination of reducing heart rate and contractility (beta-blockade) with vasodilation (alpha-1 blockade) is what makes carvedilol unique among common antihypertensive/heart failure therapies. In contrast, metoprolol (Lopressor) is selective for beta-1 receptors and does not block alpha receptors, so it lacks the vasodilatory alpha-blocking effect. Ramipril is an ACE inhibitor, and telmisartan (Micardis) is an ARB; neither is a beta-blocker, so they don’t provide beta-adrenergic or alpha-adrenergic receptor blockade. Therefore, Coreg CR is the correct choice because it provides nonselective beta-blockade with alpha-blocking activity.

This item tests knowledge of how different beta-blockers interact with receptors. Carvedilol, sold as Coreg CR, is a nonselective beta-blocker meaning it blocks both beta-1 and beta-2 receptors. It also has alpha-1 blocking activity, which adds vasodilation. The combination of reducing heart rate and contractility (beta-blockade) with vasodilation (alpha-1 blockade) is what makes carvedilol unique among common antihypertensive/heart failure therapies.

In contrast, metoprolol (Lopressor) is selective for beta-1 receptors and does not block alpha receptors, so it lacks the vasodilatory alpha-blocking effect. Ramipril is an ACE inhibitor, and telmisartan (Micardis) is an ARB; neither is a beta-blocker, so they don’t provide beta-adrenergic or alpha-adrenergic receptor blockade.

Therefore, Coreg CR is the correct choice because it provides nonselective beta-blockade with alpha-blocking activity.

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