beta (beta)-adrenergic blocking agent

be·ta (β)-ad·re·ner·gic block·ing a·gent

(bā'tă ad'rĕ-nĕr'jik blok'ing ā'jĕnt)

A class of drugs that competes with β-adrenergic agonists for available receptor sites; some compete for both β₁ and β₂ receptors (e.g., propranolol), whereas others are primarily either β₁ (e.g., metoprolol) or β₂ blockers; used in the treatment of a variety of cardiovascular diseases and related conditions, for which β-adrenergic blockade is desirable.
Synonym(s): beta (β)-blocker.

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