Published on Jul 12, 2018
concept 1

Glucagon  is a specific antidote for beta blocker  toxicity:

  • in  beta-blocker poisoning  beta receptors are blocked in heart leading to decrease in HR, FOC and conduction
  • so GPCR of Beta 1 receptor in heart is blocked, so what to do now?
  • give a drug which acts through different type of GPCR
  • So,  Glucagon acts through its own GPCR and independent of the β adrenergic receptor and has chronotropic and inotropic effects on the heart
  •  in beta-blocker poisoning  glucagon is a physiological antidote

note:

why not atropine an antidote as it also increases HR and conduction

  • it is not much effective compared to Glucagon, and doesnot increase FOC 
  • it is used if there is bradycardia