Beta Blockers require CoQ10 supplementation

COQ10 and Beta-blockers: Another indication
Richard Maurer, ND

Up to now, all the drug manuals from the PDR to the small handbooks note the depletion of CoQ10 from long-term HMG CoA Reductase inhibitors, which includes the “statin” family of cholesterol lowering medications. The latest drug handbooks such as the highly circulated Nursing 2003 Drug Manual indicate the possible depletion of CoQ10 from the use of beta-blockers. Interestingly, the knowledge that beta-blockers inhibit mitochondrial CoQ10 enzymes has been known for decades*. Supplementing CoQ10 might help prevent depletion of Co-enzyme Q10. Research on CoQ10 indicates a strong safety record with supplemental CoQ10 and few if any adverse drug interactions. The one noted interaction might be with Coumadin, a drug with many possible herb and nutrient interactions; therefore caution is needed if using CoQ10 with Coumadin.

• Kishi T, Watanabe T, Folkers K. Bioenergetics in clinical medicine XV. Inhibition of coenzyme Q10-enzymes by clinically used adrenergic blockers of beta-receptors. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol, May;17(1):157-64, 1977.