Anyone know how beta blockers cause kyperkalemia. I'm sure it's probably something silly that I'm not remembering but by brain is full.

Thanks,
~Bean

One more day :eek:

Insulin stimulates the movement of potassium inside of cells. Beta blockers cause hyperkalemia b/c they inhibit the secretion of insulin. With no insulin secretion, a masked hypoglycemia and hyperkalemia occur. Therefore the antidotes for beta blocker toxicity consist of glucagon and calcium gluconate. For the hypoglycemia and hyperkalemia respectively.

hope this helps

While what you say is correct, I am not sure that it is the chief mechanism behind beta blockers and serum K+ rise, at least not acutely. It would certainly impact a chronic beta blockade.

Beta receptors are specifically linked to calcium-gated potassium channels, and their activation allows potassium to enter the cell directly. A blocker, therefore, will inhibit this uptake.

This is why giving albuterol can acutely affect the serum K+ level, without having to rely on insulin release.