What is bisoprolol? What is bisoprolol used for?
Bisoprolol is used for treating high blood pressure and heart pain (angina). Bisoprolol prevents the neurotransmitters (chemicals that nerves use to communicate with other nerves), norepinephrine and epinephrine (adrenaline), from binding to beta receptors on nerves.
Bisoprolol belongs to a class of drugs called beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agents that also includes propranolol (Inderal), atenolol (Tenormin), and timolol (Blocadren). By blocking the effect of norepinephrine and epinephrine on the nerves reaching the heart and blood vessels, beta blockers reduce heart rate and the force with which the heart contracts and reduce blood pressure by dilating blood vessels but may constrict air passages by stimulating the muscles that surround the air passages. Angina occurs when the heart's need for oxygen exceeds the supply of oxygen-carrying blood. By slowing heart rate and decreasing the force with which the heart muscle contracts, bisoprolol reduces the work of the heart and the demand of the heart for oxygen. The FDA approved bisoprolol in July 1992.
What brand names are available for bisoprolol?
Zebeta
Is bisoprolol available as a generic drug?
Yes
Do I need a prescription for bisoprolol?
Yes
What are the side effects of bisoprolol?
Bisoprolol is generally well-tolerated, and side effects are mild and transient. Side effects include:
- abdominal cramps,
- diarrhea,
- dizziness,
- fatigue,
- depression,
- headache,
- nausea,
- impotence,
- slow heart rate,
- low blood pressure,
- numbness,
- tingling,
- cold extremities,
- sore throat, and
- shortness of breath or
- wheezing.
Patients with asthma may have symptoms increase.
What is the dosage for bisoprolol?
- The usual adult dose of bisoprolol for treating high blood pressure (hypertension) is 2.5-20 mg once daily.
- The dose for treating heart failure is 1.25 mg daily, not to exceed 10 mg a day.
QUESTION
Salt and sodium are the same. See AnswerWhich drugs or supplements interact with bisoprolol?
: Rifampin may increase the metabolism (destruction) of bisoprolol, possibly making bisoprolol less effective. Certain calcium channel blockers (CCBs), especially verapamil (Calan, Isoptin) and diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac), may enhance the effect of bisoprolol on the heart. In some patients, this may cause excessive slowing of the heart rate or reduce the heart's ability to beat. The use of digoxin (Lanoxin) with bisoprolol also may cause an excessive reduction in heart rate.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve), can reduce the blood pressure lowering effects of beta- blockers.
Is bisoprolol safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
It is not known if bisoprolol is secreted in breast milk.
What else should I know about bisoprolol?
What preparations of bisoprolol are available?
Tablets: 5 and 10 mg.
How should I keep bisoprolol stored?
Bisoprolol should be stored at room temperature, 15 C to 30 C (59 F to 86 F) in an air-tight container.
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Summary
Bisoprolol (Zebeta) is a medication in the class of drugs called beta blockers. Bisoprolol (Zebeta) is prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure, angina, and congestive heart failure. Side effects, warnings and precautions, drug interactions, and patient information should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.
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Related Disease Conditions
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High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)High blood pressure (hypertension) occurs due to the tightening or stiffness of very small arteries called arterioles. As a result, the heart pumps harder through the stiff or narrow arterioles, leading to elevated pressure inside the vessels. Hypertension is known as 'the silent killer' because it often goes unnoticed and may cause serious complications such as kidney diseases, heart diseases, heart failure, and stroke.
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Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)Congestive heart failure (CHF) refers to a condition in which the heart loses the ability to function properly. Heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, myocarditis, and cardiomyopathies are just a few potential causes of congestive heart failure. Symptoms of congestive heart failure may include fatigue, breathlessness, palpitations, angina, and edema.
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Chest PainChest pain is a common complaint by a patient in the ER. Causes of chest pain include broken or bruised ribs, pleurisy, pneumothorax, shingles, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, angina, heart attack, costochondritis, pericarditis, aorta or aortic dissection, and reflux esophagitis. Diagnosis and treatment of chest pain depends upon the cause and clinical presentation of the patient's chest pain.
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High Blood Pressure TreatmentHigh blood pressure (hypertension) means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. Treatment for high blood pressure include lifestyle modifications (alcohol, smoking, coffee, salt, diet, exercise), drugs and medications such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, beta blockers, diuretics, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), alpha blockers, clonidine, minoxidil, and Exforge.
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Angina SymptomsClassic angina symptoms are described as chest pressure that radiates down the arm, into the neck or jaw and is associated with shortness of breath and sweating. Typical angina symptoms should be made worse with activity and should resolve or get better with rest. Angina may not have any pain and instead may present as shortness of breath with exercise, malaise, fatigue, or weakness.
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Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Treatment DrugsAtrial fibrillation (AFib) is a heart rhythm disorder that causes irregular and often rapid heartbeat. The medications to treat AFib include beta-blockers, blood thinners, and heart rhythm drugs. Atrial fibrillation drugs can cause serious side effects like seizures, vision changes, shortness of breath, fainting, other abnormal heart rhythms, excessive bleeding while coughing or vomiting, blood in the stool, and bleeding into the brain.
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Febrile SeizuresFebrile seizures, or convulsions caused by fever, can be frightening in small children or infants. However, in general, febrile seizures are harmless. Febrile seizure is not epilepsy. It is estimated that one in every 25 children will have at least one febrile seizure. It is important to know what to do to help your child if he/she has a febrile seizure. Some of the features of a febrile seizure include losing consciousness, shaking, moving limbs on both sides of the body, and lasts 1-2 minutes. Less commonly, a febrile seizure may only affect one side of the body.
Treatment & Diagnosis
Medications & Supplements
- Drugs: Questions to Ask Your Doctor or Pharmacist about Your Drugs
- Beta Blockers
- Drug Interactions
- Types of High Blood Pressure Medications
- Zebeta (bisoprolol) Side Effects, Warnings, and Drug Interactions
- metoprolol
- atenolol
- propranolol
- Beta Blocker Side Effects (Adverse Effects)
- timolol ophthalmic solution (Timoptic)
- bisoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide (Ziac)
- Sectral (acebutolol)
- nadolol (Corgard)
- timolol (Betimol)
- betaxolol, Kerlone (Discontinued Brand)
Prevention & Wellness
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.