Bisoprolol
Introduction To Bisoprolol
Bisoprolol belongs to a group of medicines called beta-blockers. It is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), angina (heart-related chest pain), irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmia). It also helps to prevent future heart attacks and migraines.
Bisoprolol is also used to relieve the symptoms caused by an overactive thyroid gland. It may be prescribed alone or together with other medications. The dose and frequency depend on what you are taking it for and the severity of your condition. It may be taken empty stomach or with a meal, but take it regularly at the same time each day to get the most benefit. It may take several weeks before you get the full benefit of this medicine and you may need to take it for the rest of your life. However, it is important to continue taking it even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel ill and if you stop taking it, your condition may worsen.
The main side effects of this medicine are fatigue, headache, slow heart rate, dizziness, and nausea. These are usually mild and short-lived. It may also cause shortness of breath or low blood pressure in some people. To reduce the risk of side effects your doctor will probably start the medicine at a low dose and gradually increase it. Consult your doctor if the side effects bother you or do not go away.
Before taking it, let your doctor know if you have any liver problems. It may also not be suitable for people who have a slow heart rate, severe circulation problems, severe heart failure, or low blood pressure. Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers should also consult their doctor before taking it. You should have your blood pressure checked regularly to make sure that this medicine is working properly. Avoid drinking alcohol as it may increase certain side effects.
Uses of Bisoprolol
- Treatment of Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Treatment of Angina (heart-related chest pain)
- Treatment of Arrhythmia
- Prevention of Heart attack
- Prevention of Migraine
Benefits of Bisoprolol
Treatment of Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Bisoprolol blocks the effects of some chemicals on your heart and blood
vessels. It slows down your heart rate and helps the heart to beat with less
force. This lowers your blood pressure and helps in reducing your risk of
having a stroke, a heart attack, other heart problems, or kidney problems in
the future. This medicine needs to be taken regularly to be effective, so keep
taking it even if you feel well. Do not stop without talking to your doctor.
Treatment of Angina (heart-related chest pain)
Bisoprolol relaxes the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily around
your body and makes sure that your heart is getting a good supply of oxygen.
This makes it less likely that you will suffer chest pain caused by angina.
This medicine can help increase your ability to exercise and go about your
daily life more easily by reducing the frequency of angina attacks. You should
take it regularly and as long as it is prescribed for it to work effectively.
Treatment of Arrhythmia
Bisoprolol is used to stabilize heart rhythms (particularly atrial
fibrillation). It helps in normalizing an abnormal heart rhythm, preventing it
from occurring in the first place, or slowing down the heart rate during an
episode.
Prevention of Heart attack
Bisoprolol helps lower your blood pressure and make it easier for your heart
to pump blood around your body. This reduces the chances of you having a heart
attack. It can also reduce the risk of dying if it is given immediately after
a heart attack. This medicine needs to be taken regularly to be effective, so
keep taking it even if you feel well. Do not stop without talking to your
doctor.
Prevention of Migraine
It is not fully established how Bisoprolol helps prevent migraines. This
medicine may change electrical activity in the brain, reduce the flow of blood
in your brain, or increase the activity in a region of the brain associated
with migraines. By preventing and reducing the frequency of headaches, it can
help you carry out your daily activities and have a better quality of life.
Side effects of Bisoprolol
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Bisolong
- Nausea
- Headache
- Slow heart rate
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Cold extremities
How to use Bisoprolol
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Bisoprolol may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
How Bisoprolol works
Bisoprolol is a beta blocker that works specifically on the heart. It works by slowing down the heart rate and makes the heart more efficient at pumping blood around the body.
Quick tips
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It may cause dizziness. If this happens to you, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
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It can hide symptoms of low blood sugar if you are diabetic. Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly.
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Do not stop taking Bisoprolol suddenly as it can cause your blood pressure to rise suddenly, thereby increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Safety Advice
PregnancyCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Bisoprolol if I’m pregnant?
Information regarding the use of Bisoprolol during pregnancy is not available. Please consult your doctor.
BreastfeedingCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Bisoprolol if I’m breastfeeding?
Bisoprolol is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
AlcoholUNSAFE
Is drinking alcohol while taking Bisoprolol safe?
Bisoprolol may cause excessive drowsiness with alcohol.
DrivingUNSAFE
Can I drive after taking Bisoprolol?
Bisoprolol may cause side effects which could affect your ability to drive.
KidneyCAUTION
Can I take Bisoprolol if I have/had kidney diseases?
Bisoprolol should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Bisoprolol may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Regular blood pressure monitoring is advisable for dose adjustment.
LiverCAUTION
Can I take Bisoprolol if I have/had liver diseases?
Bisoprolol should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Bisoprolol may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Bisoprolol is started at a lower dose in these patients and further increased slowly with careful monitoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is Bisoprolol a diuretic?
No, Bisoprolol is not a diuretic. Bisoprolol is a beta-blocker medicine which works by blocking the hyperactivity of the nerve impulses in the heart. This relaxes the heart muscles and eventually calms the heart.
Q. What is the best time to take Bisoprolol?
Bisoprolol can be taken anytime in the morning or evening, usually prescribed once daily. However, your very first dose of Bisoprolol may make you feel dizzy, so it is better to take your first dose at bedtime. After that, if you do not feel dizzy, you may take it any time of the day. Follow the advice of your doctor. It is advised to take it at the same time each day so that you remember to take it and consistent levels of medicine are maintained in the body.
Q. What if I forget to take a dose of Bisoprolol?
If you have missed a dose of Bisoprolol, take it as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, take it in the regular schedule instead of taking the missed dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one as this may increase the chances of developing side effects.
Q. When will I feel better after taking Bisoprolol?
You may not feel any difference after taking Bisoprolol, if you are taking it for high blood pressure. However, keep taking this medicine as prescribed by your doctor because you will still be getting its full benefits. If you are taking Bisoprolol for angina or heart failure, it may take several weeks or months to make you feel better.
Q. How many hours does Bisoprolol take to reduce high blood pressure?
Bisoprolol starts showing its effect within 2 hours, but it can take up to 2 to 6 weeks to reach its full effect. You may not feel any difference in blood pressure, but this does not mean that the medicine is not working. Take it exactly as directed by your doctor. It's important to keep taking your medicine in the prescribed dose and duration to get the maximum benefit of Bisoprolol.
Q. Is Bisoprolol safe in pregnancy?
No, Bisoprolol is not safe to be taken in pregnancy. It can have many harmful effects on the fetus/newborn and can even cause complications in pregnancy. The use ofBisoprolol may decrease the blood supply to the fetus, slow down its growth, cause intrauterine death, abortion or early labor. Therefore, it is advised to consult your doctor if you are planning a baby or if you become pregnant during the course of treatment with this medication.
Q. What if I take more than the prescribed dose of Bisoprolol?
If you take more than the prescribed dose, your heart rate may slow down and you may find it difficult to breathe. It can also cause dizziness and trembling. It is advised to go to a hospital immediately, but do not drive yourself to avoid any mishap. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance. Take the Bisoprolol packet or leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine, with you.
Q. What are the most common side effects of Bisoprolol?
The most common side effects of Bisoprolol are cold extremities, fatigue, slow heart rate, nausea, diarrhea and dizziness. However, these are usually mild and short-lived and not everyone will experience these side effects. But, if these do not resolve and bother you, consult your doctor to know about ways of coping up with them. Your doctor may also suggest ways of preventing them in future.
Q. What other lifestyle changes should I make while taking Bisoprolol?
Lifestyle changes play a major role in keeping you healthy if you are taking Bisoprolol. Avoid taking excess salt in your diet and find ways to reduce or manage stress in your life. Practice yoga or meditation or take up a hobby. Ensure that you have a sound sleep every night as this also helps to reduce stress levels and helps to keep your blood pressure normal. Stop smoking and alcohol consumption as this helps in lowering your blood pressure and preventing heart problems. Exercise regularly and take a balanced diet that includes whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables and fat-free products. Consult your doctor if you need any further guidance to get the maximum benefit of Bisoprolol and to keep yourself healthy.
Q. Is Bisoprolol effective?
Bisoprolol is effective if used in the dose and duration advised by your doctor. Do not stop taking it even if you see improvement in your condition. If you stop using Bisoprolol too early, the symptoms may return or worsen.
Q. Can Bisoprolol cause dizziness?
How do I prevent it? Yes. Bisoprolol can cause dizziness as a side effect. If this happens to you, you should sit or lie down until the symptoms pass. However, this is temporary and usually goes away as the treatment continues. Also, you should avoid alcohol while taking it, as it may worsen the dizziness.
Q. What should I tell my doctor before taking Bisoprolol?
Bisoprolol is not suitable for everyone. Before taking Bisoprolol you must tell your doctor if you are allergic to Bisoprolol or any of its ingredients. You must tell the doctor if you have low blood pressure or a slow heart rate, serious blood circulation problems in your limbs (such as Raynaud's phenomenon), which may make your fingers and toes tingle or turn pale or blue. Inform your doctor if you are suffering or have suffered from metabolic acidosis (when there's too much acid in your blood), lung disease or asthma. Let your doctor know about all the other medicines you are taking because they may affect, or be affected by, this medicine. Tell your doctor if you're trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or breastfeeding to prevent any harmful effects on the baby.
References
Written By:
Dr Advikka Ridhy
MBBS
RMO, Aster MIMS
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