Uses
What is bisoprolol used for?
Bisoprolol is commonly used to lower high blood pressure (hypertension).
Bisoprolol may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does bisoprolol work (mechanism of action)?
Bisoprolol blocks beta-1 receptors in your heart. These receptors normally bind to hormones called catecholamines. When catecholamines bind to these receptors, it causes your heart to beat harder and faster. Blocking these receptors helps your heart beat more slowly. These effects can help lower blood pressure, and may reduce your risk for heart attack and stroke.
How is bisoprolol supplied (dosage forms)?
Bisoprolol is available in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.
- 5 mg oral tablets
- 10 mg oral tablets
How should I store bisoprolol?
Bisoprolol should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place, in a tightly closed container. Protect from moisture and light.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of bisoprolol?
The most common side effects of bisoprolol are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Slow heartbeat
- Diarrhea
- Feeling unusually weak or tired
- Stuffy or congested nose
There may be other side effects of bisoprolol that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of bisoprolol?
While less common, the most serious side effects of bisoprolol are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
New or Worsening Heart Failure. Bisoprolol may worsen existing heart failure or cause fluid buildup in your body. For individuals with underlying heart disease or heart damage, bisoprolol can potentially lead to heart failure over time. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing, especially while lying down
- Swelling in your feet, ankles, or legs
- Unusually fast weight gain
- Unusual tiredness
Heart Rate Changes. Bisoprolol can make your heart beat slower than normal (bradycardia). Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of bradycardia.
- Feeling lightheaded, dizziness, or fainting
- Confusion
- Feeling weak or easily tired
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
Decreased Blood Pressure (Hypotension). Bisoprolol may cause low blood pressure. If you feel faint or dizzy, lie down. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of low blood pressure.
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Confusion
- Feeling weak or tired
Peripheral Vascular Disease. Bisoprolol can cause the heart to pump less blood to the rest of the body. This can make blood flow problems to the arms, legs and intestines worse.
Breathing Problems. Bisoprolol may cause the muscles around the airways to tighten (bronchospasm) instead of relaxing, which can be serious. Stop using bisoprolol and contact your healthcare provider right away if you have trouble breathing.
Decreased Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia). Bisoprolol can decrease early signs of low blood sugar, such as fast heartbeat, and make it more likely for the low blood sugar to be serious, especially for people with diabetes. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have trouble detecting any of the following symptoms of low blood sugar.
- Headache
- Crankiness or anxiety
- Hunger
- Dizziness or confusion
- Blurry vision
- Slurred speech
- Sweating
- Feeling jittery or shakiness
- Fast heartbeat
- Seizures
Severe Allergic Reactions. Bisoprolol may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using bisoprolol and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use bisoprolol?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use bisoprolol.
- Zebeta
- Bisoprolol
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific bisoprolol products they stock.
Bradycardia. Bisoprolol should not be used if your heart is beating too slow (bradycardia).
Heart Block. Bisoprolol should not be used if the electrical signals in your heart move too slow (heart block).
Severe or Worsening Heart Failure. Bisoprolol should not be used if your heart failure is severe or getting worse, causing you to feel very tired, have trouble breathing, or swelling in your legs.
Cardiogenic Shock. Bisoprolol should not be used if you have a life-threatening condition called cardiogenic shock where your heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of your body.
What should I know about bisoprolol before using it?
Do not take bisoprolol unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share bisoprolol with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep bisoprolol out of the reach of children.
Bisoprolol can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how bisoprolol affects you.
Stopping bisoprolol suddenly may lead to chest pain, heart attack or dangerous heart rhythms in people with heart disease. Do not stop taking this medication without talking to your healthcare provider first.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using bisoprolol?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if bisoprolol is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- Heart or circulation problems
- Breathing problems
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
- Thyroid problems
Diabetes. Bisoprolol can decrease early signs of low blood sugar, such as fast heartbeat, and make it more likely for the low blood sugar to be serious, especially for people with diabetes.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how bisoprolol could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if bisoprolol passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Interactions
Does bisoprolol interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between bisoprolol and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect bisoprolol. The risk of dizziness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking bisoprolol.
Does bisoprolol interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking bisoprolol.
- Diltiazem and verapamil, which are medicines used to treat chest pain and high blood pressure
- Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
- Clonidine, which is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Rifampin, which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
- Any medicine for irregular heart rate or rhythm
- Any medicine for high blood pressure
- Any medicine for diabetes
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much bisoprolol?
If you or someone else has used too much bisoprolol, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of bisoprolol?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
You Might Also Like
Are you currently using Bisoprolol?
This survey is being conducted by the WebMD marketing sciences department.