Hi,
I’m 45 and I have P-Afib. Only two episodes from caffeine in 18 months. I take a low dose (2.5mg) of Bisoprolol each morning. I cannot remember if I took my early morning dose this morning when I got up to go to the toilet. It’s making me anxious because I’m afraid a missed dose will cause an attack or two much will affect me also. What shall I do? Take half a dose as a happy medium? X
I deliberately missed my 5mg dose one day last week - I take mine at night- didn't have a choice as I'd run out and was waiting for my next lot from pharmacy. No problems.
That’s reassuring. Thanks for your reply. I’m obsessed I’ll have an attack. I suppose it stays in system for a while. X
No do not take any. That was the advice from the pharmacist when I couldn’t remember once.
Get the little pill boxes. Fill em up, pick a box a day then if you forget, you just check your box... if it’s gone, you know!
Boots have a weekly set. I’ve got 4 sets and make up a month at a time.
That’s a very good idea....going to look on Amazon now. Thanks for your reply!
I know it sounds crazy when you tell other people you’ve forgotten! They look at you like? Wtf?!!
The little boxes change all that. Never had a problem since!!
Lol...yes, it’s ridiculous not being able to remember. I vaguely remember thinking about taking it but don’t actually know if I did. A box is the answer! What if I took one before bed tonight? Would that be spread out enough? Perhaps I could then shift to taking one each night rather than each morning.
No don’t worry, go back to your usual time tomorrow. That was the pharmacist advice to me.
I’ve had a couple of operations since and have stopped them 2 days prior, no issue.
Stop worrying, get the boxes and relax!!
Yes....I will. I’m a worry wart when it comes to meds. The two attacks I’ve had, I’ve taken myself to hosp both times as they frighten me. The nurse said if another attack happens, take a beta blocker and it should stop it.
You see Julia, we all do it. After once forgetting!!!
Yes, I make up my meds - a week at a time - put doses into little boxes. A box for morning, a box for midday and a box for evening. 😃
Should tablets be out of their sealed environment for that long ?
A simple check of the pulse will tell if you forgot. If it is about 10 bpm more then you have forgotten.
Wow...that’s handy to know, thanks. I wear a fit bit so can tell from that. It’s currently 69bpm at rest.
I use to take 10mg a day which was the max. If your not sure at 2.5 you can take a half a dose without hurting yourself if it’s bisoprolol. My advice is getting a pill box that has every day of the week with morning to evening. You can keep track of it from there. Just make sure you stick to the day your on.
Hi,
I was worried when I forgot, but the pharmacist said that it stays in your system for 24 hours, so if you are unsure whether you took a pill on Wednesday, leave it and take at your normal time on Thursday. It is more risky to have too much than too little!
I use a pill box and have reminders on my phone,
Double back up!! 😊
I do two things. I set notifications on my phone and for me that's twice a day. I've considered pill boxes but for now I've opted to just count out 14 (7 for you) every Saturday night and store them in a pill splitter (a handy container). If I have an odd number during the day I know I've taken my morning pill. You will just count down from 7.
Hi, I too am on 2.5 dose. If I get fast AF I have been told to take another tablet if it doesnt settle in half an hour. I have done this a few times. So I dont think an extra dose would be a problem. They said up to 10mg a day would be safe but I wouldnt fancy that much!
The advice from the NHS on bisoprolol specifically is as follows:
“What if I forget to take it?
If you miss a dose of bisoprolol, take it as soon as you remember that day.
If you don't remember until the next day, skip the missed dose.
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten one.”
Hello Julia. Always check with your doctor first, but P-Afib two episodes in 18 months sounds like a dream to me. I am also P-Afib and was prescribed 1.25 Bisoprolol once a day.
I did not tolerate it well and do not take any now, and am generally OK.
It revisits me occasionally and I take a 50mg Flecainide pill when that happens and I am back in rhythm after a few hours. Was the heart checked for deficit or any other cardiac conditions ?
All advice good here. I once took two anticoagulants instead of my Bisoprolol when I was on it. I've also forgotten to take my Flecainide a couple of times, even though I have the pill box! Something distracts you, you feel OK, you forget. Take the next dose when ready. I agree with the response above - if you've got such long timeframes between episodes, get a bit more info. You're young, maybe you'd be suitable for pill in the pocket. I'd be looking into it. Good luck!
Hi, Julia,
Usually on the instructions that come with Bisoprolol, you are advised just to wait until the next dose is due and then carry on as normal. It does take a few days for medication to kick in when you first start and so missing a dose occasionally (and we all must have at some point!) given its in your system already, is usually ok. What is never OK is double dosing to catch up!
We all have our methods of remembering, mine is to set an alarm on my phone....
Mike
I have a little pill box, and STILL forget sometimes. Before the lockdown in March I swam 3 times a week, and was always in a rush, and just forgot. I take 50 mg atenolol a day, but nothing untoward happened.
I get a permanent marker and mark M T W T F S S... on the foil covering of each pill in the blister packs when I start each new one. That way I will know whether I have taken it each day.
The leaflet in the Cardicor box says not to take a double dose and take the usual dose the following day. Cardicor do have the days of the week on the blister pack, which is alright as long as you go the right way round. 
The boxes are a good idea until you get the days mixed up!
Hi Julia,
I’ve reduced my bisoprolol to 1.25 and have forgotten that once or twice too, I just take it the next day..it stays in your system for a while..
I use a reminder that you have to mark as complete on my watch/phone...works well as doing a rhythm check with the ecg monitor..
Stay safe, kind regards
Craig
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