Nebivolol is a competitive and highly selective beta-1 receptor antagonist with mild vasodilating properties, possibly due to an interaction with the L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway. In preclinical studies, nebivolol has been shown to induce endothelium-dependent arterial relaxation in a dose dependent manner, by stimulation of the release of endothelial nitric oxide. Nitric oxide acts to relax vascular smooth muscle cells and inhibits platelet aggregation and adhesion. Activation of β1-receptors by epinephrine increases the heart rate and the blood pressure, and the heart consumes more oxygen. Nebivolol blocks these receptors which reverses the effects of epinephrine, lowering the heart rate and blood pressure. In addition, beta blockers prevent the release of renin, which is a hormone produced by the kidneys which leads to constriction of blood vessels. At high enough concentrations, this drug may also bind beta 2 receptors. Marketed under the brand name BYSTOLIC, Nebivolol is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions.

Nebivolol is a competitive and highly selective beta-1 receptor antagonist with mild vasodilating properties, possibly due to an interaction with the L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway. In preclinical studies, nebivolol has been shown to induce endothelium-dependent arterial relaxation in a dose dependent manner, by stimulation of the release of endothelial nitric oxide. Nitric oxide acts to relax vascular smooth muscle cells and inhibits platelet aggregation and adhesion. Activation of β1-receptors by epinephrine increases the heart rate and the blood pressure, and the heart consumes more oxygen. Nebivolol blocks these receptors which reverses the effects of epinephrine, lowering the heart rate and blood pressure. In addition, beta blockers prevent the release of renin, which is a hormone produced by the kidneys which leads to constriction of blood vessels. At high enough concentrations, this drug may also bind beta 2 receptors. Marketed under the brand name BYSTOLIC, Nebivolol is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions.

Metipranolol is a beta-adrenergic antagonist effective for both beta-1 and beta-2 receptors. It is used as an antiarrhythmic, antihypertensive, and antiglaucoma agent. Metipranolol blocks beta1 and beta2 (non-selective) adrenergic receptors. It does not have significant intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, and has only weak local anesthetic (membrane-stabilizing) and myocardial depressant activity. Orally administered beta-adrenergic blocking agents reduce cardiac output in both healthy subjects and patients with heart disease. In patients with severe impairment of myocardial function, beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists may inhibit the sympathetic stimulatory effect necessary to maintain adequate cardiac output. Metipranolol when applied topically in the eye, has the action of reducing elevated as well as normal intraocular pressure (IOP), whether or not accompanied by glaucoma. Elevated intraocular pressure is a major risk factor in the pathogenesis of glaucomatous visual field loss. The higher the level of intraocular pressure, the greater the likelihood of glaucomatous visual field loss and optic nerve damage. The primary mechanism of the ocular hypotensive action of Metipranolol is most likely due to reduction in aqueous humor production. A slight increase in outflow may be an additional mechanism. Metipranolol reduces IOP with little or no effect on pupil size or accommodation. Metipranolol is known as the brand OptiPranolol. Brand-name OptiPranolol is manufactured by Bausch & Lomb Incorporated. However, the patents for OptiPranolol have expired, and this medication is currently available in generic form. Generic OptiPranolol eye drops are available in one strength -- metipranolol 0.3 percent solution. It is made by Falcon Pharmaceuticals.