Bisoprolol alternative

[OmaJEO]

Is there an alternative to Bisoprolol I am on 10mg. and now at this dose seem to have a dry eye and swollen leg and ankle. Didn't have these problems at 7.5mg.

[Gilldy]

Hi -I started with blepharitis (sore dry eyes) whilst on 2.5 mg bisoprolol. The first thing the nurse asked me was if I was taking bisoprolol! Apparently it's very common!

[CaroleF]

There are definitely alternative beta blockers that might be suitable for you. I don't have experience of anything other than bisoprolol 2.5mg. I had swollen ankles on that dose (also legs felt like lead and generally I felt like death warmed up), but with the agreement of my GP now take 1.25 both morning and night. Since when - no swelling and I generally feel OK.

I understand that the dry eye problem is a common side effect, but not one that has affected me.

I think I'd be asking my GP either about taking the bisoprolol twice a day (5mg each time) or about an alternative beta blocker. I'm sure others here can comment in their experiences of alternatives.

[jeanjeannie50]

I take Metoprolol which suits me better than Bisoprolol.

[Hidden]

Hi OmaJEO, it's always difficult to comment on medication issues because we are not medically trained and what might work for one person could have serious consequences on someone else. As I understand it, Bisoprolol is the betablocker if choice, largely because I think it is the only one that GP's can prescribe without input from a Consultant or Arrythmia specialist. It's also cheap!! There are a number of alternatives, including calcium channel blockers such as Diltiazem, which do a similar job, but in a different way. Generally, getting the right medication is a trial and error exercise which requires the co-operation of a specialist which might not always be easy but it can be done. If you have access to an arrythmia nurse, this can a useful way of getting the help you need, but I expect the first port of call has to be your GP and you will have to be clear and firm about any difficulties you are experiencing with your current medication.....best of luck.....John

[OmaJEO in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Getting referred back seems to be hard my GP wrote to cardiology but I wasn't copied in, when they increased my dosage, so I have now made an appointment to re see my GP next week. I will ask about Diltiazem.

[Offcut in reply to OmaJEO]

Diltiazem works very differantly and as Flapjack correctly states we are all so differant. I am on 10 mg Bisoprolol now, but Diltiazem was given me and I had a very bad reaction to it. I am a multi-condition person which does not help in prescribing meds as some do not sit well with others.

[Petmad5 in reply to Offcut]

Ditto here 🙄

What’s they do without us complicated folk to treat? 🥴

[Offcut in reply to Petmad5]

Have an easier life

[julesp]

I take 10mg but it's split 5mg in morning and 5mg at night. I still get tired and sluggish but it's not as bad as when taking the 10mg dose all at once.

[Mike-tyson]

I was put on Bisoprolol after Ablation at UHNM in Stoke on Trent. Got down from 10mg per day to 2.5 in six months. But still could not get on with it as felt rough and tired a lot of the time. I am now on Atenolol 25mg per day taken in the morning. This suits me better with less side effects than Bisoprolol.

[ILowe]

There are loads of betablockers -- another reason doctors like them! But the differences between them, ah, some points, but I cannot find a systematic discussion of them. Your average doctor is likely to use trial and error based on personal experience. The one major difference I can remember is if you have mild asthma and bisoprolol is unacceptable, then there are several other alternatives.

[Yack]

I was on 10mg Bisoprolol and, because of possible side effects, transferred to Antenelol and that seems to have been satisfactory. Good luck with getting your medication sorted!