Coming off bisophorol

[Kbuck1234]

My EP has said to try and come off this - I only take 1.25mg a day and have had one episode of AF six months ago.

It definitely lowers my heart rate but can't help thinking it's doing something to help the old ticker.

Anyone had experience or advice coming off this - I am not planning on taking any other rate or rhythm drugs?

[souljacs4]

My doctor said I could stop my 1.25 mg a day Bisophorol as I was very tired all the time.I feel it has helped with my heart rate .I didn't feel comfortable just stopping it so I bought a pill cutter in boots and now take half a dose but that's just me. will do this for a week or two and see how I feel

[Kbuck1234 in reply to souljacs4]

Thanks - so you are cutting 1.25 in half? I already break a 2.5 into two down the middle of the heart shape

[MickN in reply to Kbuck1234]

I went from 2.5 to 1.25 six weeks after my ablation, and then stopped everything from about 10weeks bar using 1.25 as PIP, which works well for me, had a bad run of ectopics last weekend so took a pill both Sunday & Monday, and things settled down again.

My GP told me never to cut critical meds like Bisoprolol always get prescribed the correct dose.

[souljacs4 in reply to Kbuck1234]

Yes I cut the 1.25 in half my EP told me I could just stop but I felt I would rather tail it off.

[Barry123 in reply to souljacs4]

I was once told not to divide pills because all the active ingredient could be in one half and nothing in the other. Get the proper dose.

[bebe7637]

My cardiologist took me off Bisopropol as I felt so awful. No energy , extremely tired , low heart rate and did nothing for my AF. A FEW DAYS LATER ------ NEW WOMAN !

[NiceNana in reply to bebe7637]

I also feel terrible on 2.5mg Bisoprolol - light headed, cold feet and hands, lethargy. It has not stopped or reduced the number of episodes of AF. I feel like just stopping it! So glad that you feel better without it Bebe and good luck Souljacs4.

Lynn

[souljacs4]

Bebe can I ask did it effect your heart when you came of Bisopropol I am getting a lot more ectopics.

[Dadog]

Bisoprolol is always an issue and how much to take is a good question. I always see a danger in anyone adjusting doses without medical advice as we are all different in the sort of AF we have and how we are affected by it. That said, it has become obvious to me that cardiologists in, particular; and also some EPs, do not have the time to monitor us properly and seem to end up prescribing 5mg and send you away.

I have worked with my GP on reducing dosages of Bisop and felt the benefit of reducing them somewhat. I've also learnt more about the drug (on this forum and in using it). With regular monitoring and checking pulse rates I am happy to experiment with how much I take and to try and find that sweet spot where I feel reasonably OK and all is ticking away fine. I give any changes time to have effect and reduce in small steps. Importantly, I keep my GP in the picture.

What ever you do, just be careful. No one ought to adjust drug dosage without initial approval of a specialist or GP.

[loobylou777]

I was put on 2.5mg of Bisoprolol when diagnosed with AF four and a half years ago. Felt terrible for many months low pulse rate, lethargic, tired, breathless and eventually was having low HR of below 60bpm sometimes going as low as 45bpm and almost blacking out on occasions.

My GP reduced my dose to 1.25mg but although HR came up to around 60bpm I still had near fainting episodes

I was referred back to Cardiology and after tests was advised by EP to stop Bisoprolol and take only as PIP.

I have only had 3 episodes of AF in four and a half years and since stopping Bisoprolol have not needed to take as PIP as yet

Strangely, although my HR was always 72 ish at rest it is now around 60 even though not on meds

[ILowe]

Check your blood pressure several times when adjusting the dosage. It may be you will need a blood pressure tablet to replace bisoprolol, since it has an effect on blood pressure as well as rate. Also, I adjust medicines slowly, and when I am in a relaxed time of life. Busy times are not the times to experiment.