RE Bisoprolol

[Cheriemaria]

Hello I am currently taking Sotolol and going to change to bisoprolol.

Has ane one done this and how were you? Waiting for an Ablation I have PAF.

Thanks.

[CaroleF]

Until recently I was taking bisoprolol for PAF, 2.5mg in total per day (1 x 1.25mg morning and the same in the evening) but despite splitting the dose like this I still experienced side effects that affected my quality of life in ways unacceptable to me. viz. freezing cold hands, legs feeling like lead, fatigue, weight gain, breathlessness on exertion. These side effects weren't quite as bad as when I took 2.5mg in one dose and taking that in the evening rather than in the morning had been a bit better too. It did, however, seem to control my heart rate pretty well.

There seem to be quite a few people here who don't get on with bisoprolol, but others are OK on it. We are all very different in our reactions to medications so no one can be sure in advance how a particular drug will affect them, I'm afraid.

PS. I don't know about switching from soltolol, I'm afraid. I have switched from bisoprolol to diltiazem and apart from one or two short episodes of PAF in the first week after the change I've been happier on this - and luckily none of the common side effects of that drug.

[Nashvilleboogie]

Hi i went the other way I was on bisoprolol and was chandedto sotolol.this drug seems to work better for me than bisoprolol did. I still grt bouts of af but most of them dont last long so for time being im not going down the ablation route

Regards

Richard

[jennydog]

I made this change about 5 years ago and I don't remember any problems. I was taking 10 bisoprolol pre-ablation. Nothing controlled my AF although flecainide helped. I now take 2.5 bisoprolol at night and use 100 flecainide as a pill-in-the-pocket. My AF is infrequent and mild post-ablation, probably not eliminated because of fibrosis.

[Harrycat]

I have been on Verapamil for one year,no problems, no side effect and best of all my AF is sitting 50/60 so it’s good for me. Much better than booking in to A&E with my pulse hiking at 170.....

[Cheriemaria]

Thankyou for all your comments .very helpful.

[rosyG]

I have just been to an AF conference and Sotolol was not looked on at all favourably and I know NICE don't recommend it now- worth anyone on it looking into this carefully.

[icklebud99]

I have recently switched from Sotalol (which didn't stop the PAF) to Bisoprolol with Flecainide (A+E prescribed the Bisoprolol and Flecainide as I had been on them before and as they won't give you anything new without consulting Cardiologist this was the offer). Unfortunately they did a straight swap and when I got home I was pacing the floor feeling jittery and terribly agitated, what a horrible feeling, I wasn't sure if I was withdrawing from the Sotalol or if the combination of Bisop and Flec was the cause. I stopped taking them immediately and got in touch with the Cardio nurse who got the Cardiologist to get in touch a day later, she prescribed Atenolol and Flecainide 50mg twice daily and I was to start with Atenolol for 3 days then introduce the Flecainide, this worked beautifully and I have no side effects. Hooraaay Hope this helps. Bye the way, the first time I was on Bisoprolol, it made me so lethargic, have cold feet, not be able to walk up a slight hill, gain 2 stones and have brain fog. I don't know why they prescribe this dirty drug, It must be cheaper then the others I think.

[Cheriemaria]

Yes I was advised by one of the forum that it was banned in certain places.

I mean sotolol.

Does this mean that bisipropol is just as bad ?

[rosyG in reply to Cheriemaria]

No Bisoprolol is not at all like Sotolol but it does make a lot of people feel very tired etc. I had to stop it as have a low resting pulse and it's function is to reduce the rate of your heart beat so it doesn't suit those with a low rate to start off with- Consultants always seem to feel it's quite safe when they discuss it-

[kyoom]

Hi Cheriemaria,

I have been on Bisoprolol (5Mg) OD in the AM for the last year and a half.

This beta blocker is one of the newer Beta 1 blocker and is a very specific receptor blocker.

Like ALL drugs there are some side effects.In this case fatigue,light headiness's and cold extremities.

These side effects tend to diminish over prolong use.(6 to 8 weeks)

It could be a good med for you to treat your condition.

I wish you all the best.

Regards,

Kyoom

[Cheriemaria in reply to kyoom]

Thanks.

[Sunshine89]

I was changed from Bisoprolol 5mg to Sotalol 80mg split to 40mg twice daily. While taking Bisoprolol I was breathless, fatigued and suffered chest pain. After switching to Sotalol the chest pain is now rare, I am less fatigued so able to do more though I am still breathless when moving. However, now that I see some bad reports here on Sotalol I plan to do some research myself to find out why it is getting such a bad rap.

[Nanabrodie]

I had all the same symptoms as everyone else here whilst on bisoprolol but also my heart rate dropped too low so had to be taken off the drug and was given flecainide just as a PIP while waiting for my ablation which has now been carried out (10 weeks ago) now only on anticoagulant.

[Cheriemaria]

Very informative thanks.

[Peter1955]

I was on bisoprolol after my cardio version failed after four days. The drug left me with no energy at all (I am normally quite fit) so I stopped taking it. Now managing fairly well 18 months after ablation.

A friend with AF takes flecinide and gets on quite well with it.

[Slipware]

I’m unable to tolerate bisoprolol, I’m on nebivolol. Everybody is different.