How long have beta blockers been in use?

Beta blockers were discovered in the early 1960s for hypertensive patients to protect against cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and were shown to be beneficial for other heart conditions.^1-3 Different beta blockers were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at different times.

Table 1. Beta Blockers First FDA Approval Date

^References

1. Frishman WH. A historical perspective on the development of β-adrenergic blockers. Am J Hypertens. 2007;9(s4):19-27.
2. Black JW, Stephenson JS. Pharmacology of a new adrenergic beta-receptor-blocking compound (Nethalide). Lancet. 1962;2(7251):311-314.
3. Black JW, Crowther AF, Shanks RG, Smith LH, Dornhorst AC. A new adrenergic betareceptor antagonist. Lancet. 1964;1(7342):1080-1081.
4. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. FDA Approved Drug Products: Propranolol. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=016418. Accessed November 7, 2018.
5. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. FDA Approved Drug Products: Metoprolol. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=017963. Accessed October 17, 2018.
6. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. FDA Approved Drug Products: Atenolol. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=072303. Accessed October 17, 2018.
7. Frishman WH. Carvedilol. N Engl J Med. 1998;339(24):1759-1765.
8. Coreg [package insert]. Ciales, PR: GK Pharmaceuticals Contract Manufacturing Operations; 2008.
9. Coreg CR [package insert]. Ciales, PR: GK Pharmaceuticals Contract Manufacturing Operations; 2008.
10. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. FDA Application: Labetalol. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/anda/98/074787_labetalol_toc.cfm. Accessed October 17, 2018.
11. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Drug Approval Package: Nebivolol. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2007/021742s000TOC.cfm. Accessed October 17, 2018.