bisoprolol

Bisoprolol is in a group of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins).

Bisoprolol is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

Bisoprolol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

Do not skip doses or stop taking bisoprolol without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse or cause other serious heart problems.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medicine.

Bisoprolol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of bisoprolol.

Bisoprolol is only part of a complete program of treatment for hypertension that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely if you are being treated for hypertension.

Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to bisoprolol, or if you have certain serious heart conditions such as"AV block" or slow heart rhythm.

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use bisoprolol . Before you take bisoprolol, tell your doctor if you have:

• asthma, bronchitis, emphysema;

• diabetes (taking bisoprolol can make it harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar);

• a heart problem such as angina, heart block, slow heart rhythm, or congestive heart failure;

• liver or kidney disease;

• a thyroid disorder; or

• problems with circulation (such as Raynaud"s syndrome).

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether bisoprolol is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether bisoprolol passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use bisoprolol without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take bisoprolol?

Take bisoprolol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take bisoprolol with a full glass of water.

Take bisoprolol at the same time every day.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Do not skip doses or stop taking bisoprolol without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse or cause other serious heart problems.

To be sure bisoprolol is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using bisoprolol.

Bisoprolol is only part of a complete program of treatment for hypertension that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely if you are being treated for hypertension.

Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

Store bisoprolol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If your next dose is less than 4 hours away, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include slow heart rate, wheezing or shortness of breath, dizziness, anxiety, confusion, nausea, sweating, pale skin, fainting, and seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid?

Bisoprolol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of bisoprolol.

Bisoprolol side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• slow, fast, or pounding heartbeats;

• chest pain, feeling like you might pass out;

• confusion, hallucinations;

• feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;

• swelling of your ankles or feet;

• pain or burning when you urinate; or

• numbness, tingling, or cold feeling in your hands and feet.

Less serious bisoprolol side effects may include:

• dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;

• diarrhea, constipation, increased urination;

• runny or stuffy nose, ringing in your ears;

• feeling tired or weak;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• drowsiness, dizziness, spinning sensation;

• depression, anxiety, restless feeling;

• joint or muscle pain;

• mild itching or skin rash; or

• loss of interest in sex.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect bisoprolol?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:

• clonidine (Catapres);

• digitalis (digoxin, Lanoxin);

• disopyramide (Norpace);

• guanethidine (Ismelin);

• rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate);

• insulin or diabetes medication you take by mouth;

• another beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), and others;

• a heart medication such as nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), reserpine (Serpasil), verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Isoptin), or diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem); or

• medicine for asthma or other breathing disorders, such as albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil), bitolterol (Tornalate), metaproterenol (Alupent), pirbuterol (Maxair), terbutaline (Brethaire, Brethine, Bricanyl), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with bisoprolol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.