Published on Sep 09, 2019 and last reviewed on Oct 27, 2022 - 5 min read
Abstract
Bisoprolol is a drug used to treat high blood pressure, which in turn reduce the risk of heart and kidney diseases. Read the article to know more.
Bisoprolol is a drug that belongs to a group called beta-blockers. These medicines affect the blood flow through arteries and veins by blocking the action of epinephrine on the heart and blood vessels. It is used to treat hypertension and heart failure, as it lowers blood pressure and prevents heart attacks, stroke, and kidney diseases. It comes as a tablet, and only available on prescription.
Bisoprolol is well-tolerated because it is a cardioselective β1-adrenergic blocking agent and is a useful alternative to non-selective β-blocker drugs like Carvedilol and Labetalol. It can be used alone or in combination with other drugs and is useful in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
It is used to treat hypertension and heart failure. Lowering blood pressure prevents heart attacks, strokes, and kidney problems. Apart from high blood pressure, Bisoprolol is also used to treat atrial fibrillation and prevent chest pain due to angina.
Bisoprolol works by enhancing the heart’s ability to relax. It makes the heart beat slower and less forcefully. This relaxes the arteries and veins and reduces blood pressure and relieves irregular heart rhythms.
Bisoprolol blocks the adrenalin stimulation of beta receptors found in the heart muscle cells and heart conduction tissue. Usually, adrenalin and noradrenalin stimulation by beta receptors result in contraction of heart muscles and blood vessels, which increases the heart rate and blood pressure. Bisoprolol blocks this action, which makes the heart to contract slowly and lowers heart rate and blood pressure.
Bisoprolol tablets are available in 5 mg and 10 mg strengths. Always take any tablet as prescribed by your doctor. Do not alter the dosage, unless suggested by your doctor. The dosage is:
For hypertension - 2.5 to 5 mg orally once a day, can increase up to 10 or 20 mg per day if necessary.
For heart failure - 1.25 mg orally once a day, can increase gradually not more than 10 mg per day.
For people suffering from asthma or any respiratory problems, kidney and liver problems, your doctor will prescribe 2.5 mg of Bisoprolol and then increase the dose gradually if needed.
Tell your doctor if you have the following health conditions, as it is not safe to use Bisoprolol:
Bisoprolol allergy.
Heart failure.
Low blood pressure.
Coronary artery disease.
Peripheral vascular disease (Raynaud’s syndrome).
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Breathing problems.
Kidney disease.
Liver problems.
Thyroid disorders.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Kids and young adults below 18 years.
Always take this medicine as it was prescribed by your doctor. Read the prescription label and follow the directions properly. Go for regular checkups, as your doctor might change the dosage depending on how you respond to the medicine. Avoid using it in a larger or smaller dosage than prescribed.
Never stop taking the drug abruptly, as it might worsen your condition or cause other serious heart problems. Keep taking medicine even after the symptoms of high blood pressure go away, as you may need to use this for the rest of your life.
If you take more than the prescribed dosage of Bisoprolol, it might lead to overdose. The symptoms of overdose are:
Blurred vision.
Cold sweats.
Dizziness.
Confusion.
Tremors.
Fast heartbeat.
Pale skin.
Coma.
Confusion.
Less urine output.
Difficulty breathing.
The common side effects include:
Slow heart rate.
Dizziness.
Diarrhea.
Nausea.
Insomnia.
Joint pain.
Dry mouth.
Stomach pain.
Headache.
Altered libido.
Flu-like symptoms.
These symptoms are usually mild and resolve on their own in a few days. But get immediate medical help, if your symptoms are getting worse or if you are not feeling fine even after a few days.
The serious side effects include:
Allergy - skin rash, hives, facial swelling, difficulty to swallow, and itching.
Irregular heart rate.
Dizziness.
Hypotension.
Lowers HDL (high-density lipoprotein).
Masks the symptoms of diabetes.
Increases insulin resistance.
Worsens congestive heart failure.
Increases triglyceride levels.
Lightheadedness.
Dyspnea.
Chest pain.
Leg and ankle swelling.
Numbness and tingling sensation in hands and feet.
Muscle pain.
Tremors.
Profuse sweating.
Confusion.
Go to the emergency room immediately if you notice any of these serious side effects.
This medicine can interact with other medications and can change the way that drug works. It can prevent the drug from working properly or result in severe side effects. Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
Heart rhythm drugs - Sotalol, Amiodarone, Moricizine, Digoxin.
Beta-blockers - Atenolol, Metoprolol, Propranolol.
Calcium channel blockers - Amlodipine, Nifedipine.
Diltiazem.
Clonidine.
Reserpine.
Guanethidine.
Blood pressure drugs.
Alpha-blockers - Doxazosin, Prazosin.
Lidocaine.
Antimalarial drugs - Mefloquine.
Norepinephrine or Phenylephrine.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - Indomethacin, Naproxen.
Do not consume alcohol while taking Bisoprolol, as it can dangerously lower your blood pressure levels. For more information on this drug and other ways to lower your blood pressure, consult a cardiologist online now.
Bisoprolol is a medicine used in the treatment of high blood pressure known as hypertension and heart failure. This drug can help in the prevention of heart diseases like heart attacks and strokes.
Abrupt quitting of Bisoprolol can significantly precipitate angina (chest pain) and other unwanted heart conditions such as myocardial infarction. Discontinuation of Bisoprolol is harmful; therefore it should always be tapered off progressively at least a week.
In the clinical trial period, all Bisoprolol doses were noted to lower the heart rate than the placebo significantly. It is very efficient if it is given only 5 mg per day as a starting dose. Bisoprolol can significantly lower the pulse pressure.
The effects of Bisoprolol can last up to 24 hours following a single dose of Bisoprolol. Blood pressure usually returns to the normal baseline within two weeks of a gradual reduction in dosage.
To date, there are interactions elicited between Bisoprolol and Vitamin D. This does not confirm that there are no interactions between them. So before adding vitamin D to your regular consumption of Bisoprolol, always consult your doctor.
Yes, if you have any problem with beta-blockers like Bisoprolol, there are other alternative drugs available. You can take other drugs belonging to calcium channel blockers such as Diltiazem or Verapamil. But it is important to consult your doctor before choosing alternative medicines, as these drugs have potential side effects.
You are supposed to avoid or limit grapefruit and grapefruit juice intake if you are being treated with Bisoprolol. The reason behind this is that grapefruit juice can increase the blood pressure levels.
Beta-blockers like Bisoprolol can potentially reduce cardiac output and renal perfusion pressure. This mechanism can usually exacerbate renal dysfunction. Thus, Bisoprolol can lead to the progression of renal disease. Hence, if the patient has been diagnosed with kidney conditions such as chronic kidney disease, then Bisoprolol dose must be adjusted, or an alternative drug has to be chosen.
Bisoprolol usually starts working after two hours to reduce high blood pressure. However, it can take a period of two to six weeks to take its full effect. You can experience improvement in your symptoms only after that period.
Yes, weight gain is a very commonly seen side effect with beta-blockers. The average weight gain, which can be noted in a patient who is consuming Bisoprolol, is about 2.6 pounds or 1.2 kilograms. Weight gain is furthermore likely to occur with the intake of older beta-blockers, like Atenolol and Metoprolol.
The benefit of taking Bisoprolol when you have high blood pressure is the prevention of heart disease, which includes heart attacks and strokes. Bisoprolol can also be used to prevent angina pectoris. It is one of the primary treatments in atrial fibrillation and other diseases that causes an irregular heartbeat.
No, never stop your intake of Concor tablets abruptly. This is because it can lead to a rapid increase in your blood pressure. This, in turn, increases your risk of acquiring heart attack and stroke. Always consult your healthcare provider before stopping Bisoprolol because the doctor can taper the dose properly.
Yes, when you take Concor, you can rarely experience a cough. This cough is most commonly accompanied by chest pain. These are potential symptoms that warrant immediate medical attention.
Yes, Bisoprolol can cause shortness of breath, but it happens very rarely. If you experience shortness of breath and other associated symptoms such as swelling of the ankles, chest pain, or pounding heartbeats, contact your doctor immediately for emergency medical help.
The total time taken for complete clearance of Bisoprolol in plasma is approximately 15 liters per hour. Bisoprolol has a half-life of 10-12 hours. The doctor will prescribe your dose of Bisoprolol based on this period so that the high blood pressure can be treated efficiently.
Yes, Concor tablets can cause dizziness as a potential side effect. However, this is initially temporary and usually resolves by itself as the treatment continues. It is also essential for you to quit alcohol while taking Concor because it can worsen the dizziness.
No, you are not supposed to stop taking Bisoprolol before surgery. You need to continue taking this medication on the day of your surgery and throughout your hospital stay. Stopping this medication before surgery can lead to the development of a dangerous spike in your blood pressure and heart rate. This can increase your risk of acquiring a heart attack.
The most common side effects seen in patients who take Bisoprolol are dizziness, headaches, cold hands or feet, constipation, and diarrhea. However, all these side effects are usually very mild and last only for a short period of time.
There is no research-based evidence to date regarding the extent of Bisoprolol’s passage through breast milk to the baby. However, It is not advised for mothers who are breastfeeding because it might cause the baby's heart rate to dangerously slow down or even cause the blood sugar level to fall.
Last reviewed at:
27 Oct 2022 - 5 min read
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