Approach to the cardiac effects of beta blocker and calcium channel blocker overdose

Abstract

Beta adrenergic blocking agents and calcium channel blockers are two of the most frequently used cardiac/antihypertensive medications that can be quite lethal in an overdose setting. Glucagon should be considered in the treatment of both agents, although calcium therapy alone has met with variable success in calcium channel blocker overdose. These drug overdoses should be managed in the intensive care unit.