In Slovenia only two medications from the beta-blocking agents group are registered for use in the pediatric population: metoprolol for arterial hypertension and propranolol for arrhythmia and hemangiomas. The use of metoprolol and propranolol for other indications, or the use of other medications from this group in the pediatric population, is off-label.
This retrospective research aimed to analyze ambulatory and hospital treatment with beta-blocking agents at the Division of Paediatrics at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana during the years 2022 and 2023. We analyzed the type, dosage and possible titration of medication, indication, dosage form, type of medication used (industrially manufactured or magistral medicinal product), and possible off-label use.
Between 2022 and 2023, 205 patients received beta-blocking agents. The majority received bisoprolol (36,9 %) or propranolol (37,3 %), followed by metoprolol and nadolol, each with almost 10 % share. Physicians most frequently prescribed oral pharmaceutical forms. Most patients used the medication in the form of an oral suspension (49 %) or tablets (34 %). Nearly two-thirds of the patients (61,3 %) were given medications produced in the galenic laboratory of University Medical Centre Ljubljana. The youngest patients were mostly prescribed magistral medicinal products, while older patients were given industrially manufactured medicines. The majority of patients were treated for congenital malformations of the circulatory system (17,6 %) and tachycardia (17,1 %). Nadolol was the medication of choice for patients with long QT syndrome and other hearty rhythm malfunctions, while propranolol was used for patients with Fallot's tetralogy, hemangiomas, and portal hypertension. The dosages are consistent with literature guidelines. Except for newborns, continuous treatment was the most common approach across all age groups. The highest percentage of continuous treatment was observed with nadolol (90 %) and the lowest with propranolol (58 %). Most beta-blocking agents were used off-label (80,58 %).
This analysis of patient treatment provides a comprehensive overview and serves as a basis for the potential optimization of future treatments.
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