Anything positive about Bisoprolol?

[golfcity]

Tomorrow I start Bisoprolol, 1.25 mg/day. This is to ‘help’ with supraventricular ectopics. I have resisted taking these since my Cardio recommended taking them in December, because I wanted to talk about other options and obviously there were no consultations until now. Having been a member of this great forum for some time, I can’t recall anything positive about Bisoprolol. Just a litany of side effects. I’m very apprehensive. Ultimately we did a ‘deal’ and I agreed to take it for two weeks and if serious side effects occur, to stop. Is there anyone out there who has felt better taking these? Thanks for any comments.

[Ytarnt]

I think I once wrote that I could not understand why anyone took Bisoprolol as everyone seemed to hate it. I took Atenolol at the time.

However, when I was switched to Bisoprolol 20 months ago, I got on fine with it. No problems. Duck to water. I take 2.5 mgs morning and evening.

[bantam12]

I take 2.5 and it's all fine, I take mine at night as it fits in better with all my other meds plus any tiredness it may cause is overnight so doesn't mess the day up. I would say that 2 weeks probably isn't long enough for you to try it as your body needs time to adjust, the risk is you might give up before you've given it a fair chance.

[Desanthony in reply to bantam12]

Yes, I agree Bantam12. Although I couldn't get on with Bisoprolol or any other medication of this type it wasn't until after the 3rd week that I had any problems. I would say to stay on them for 4 - 6 weeks. Some people find they have reactions straight away but after a few weeks they go so I would suggest staying on a little longer just to be sure.

[Hidden]

G'day golfcity,

I have to fully agree with bantam12 ! That said, I was diagnosed with paroxysmal AF in Jan 2010 and my Cardiologist put me on it at 5 mg at that time, to be taken in the morning with other morning medication. It was prescribed for heart rate control. I understand it has properties that also make it suitable for blood pressure control. However, in that regard it is/has done nothing for my blood pressure, even though just lately my GP has increased it to 7.5mg - a total waste of space! Useless!

The thing is I did have two side effects but one only occurred after a few months - violent and random nosebleeds. Gushing ! Not every day, not at any particular time, totally random. At the time of diagnosis of AF the same Cardiologist also put me on Warfarin ( which I have also taken to like a duck to water) and initially it was thought nosebleeds may have been caused by Warfarin. After much table thumping with my GP she said take it Bisoprolol at night. The other side effect was feeling cold extremities, 'the ice man cometh' - I occasionally developed ice cold feelings in my hands and feet. Hands were the worst - back in the day I used to go to bed clutching a hot water bottle to my chest, having swallowed a mug of hot sweet coffee, fall asleep and this coincided with quite a drop in HR, down to 45 bpm. Again, totally random. Eventually these sensations subsided too after many, many months and I may get it now once or twice a year but I now cannot remember the last time this happened.

Job done. Nosebleeds stopped. And to this day even though I am still taking Warfarin I have never ever had another nosebleed, and I still take the Bisoprolol at the prescribed dose in one hit, not split during the day, morning/night. My HR before AF was averaging around 88 to 92 bpm. My average HR on 5mg was around 65/67 bpm and now on 7.5mg my average HR is around 58 to 61 bpm. Sorted ! But as I said, as far as BP goes, waste of space.

Hope this helps.

🙂John

[Sfhmgusa]

Hi I think one of the reasons there is a lot of comment is due to its very wide use. My pharmacist told me that well over 80% of users have no issues at all

My problem was that it made me really listless but it certainly worked and I found it a bit “” cold turkey” when I stopped taking it

I really hope your 2 week trial works well for you , my observation would be that you just keep an eye on the wins you get vs any side effects , because it still might be a good choice to take it with some side effect rather than have a super jumpy heart

Steve

[DianeEM]

Hi, I'm on 1.25 and it definitely helps. I was originally prescribed a much higher dose but that made me feel light headed, Dr reduced dose and been fine ever since, have been on it for 9 years now.

I, like you, hate the thought of taking tablets, and on a couple of occasions have stopped doing so, - with my specialists say-so, I soon started again once the symptoms reappeared

The only thing I will add is perhaps give it more than 2 weeks, your ectopics will improve very quickly after taking but your body will need time to adjust to the new meds.

Regards

Di

[gstedders]

I take 5mg in the morning and another 5 mg in the evening. For rate control and blood pressure. No problems. I have been on this for about 2 years and a lower dose 5 years before that. They work and I feel fine. Good luck.

[northernsoul1]

I've been on it for nine years 5mg twice a day. Had quite a few side effects for the first few months but all have disappeared. I don't think two weeks is long enough to decide

[jwsonoma]

1.25 is a very low dose. I take the same dose to counteract potential side effects from Flecainide ( a rhythm control drug for PAF).

One good side effect is it helps keep you calm as it reduces adrenaline effects from anxiety. I tend to get wound up before a big vacation that involves either multi city stops or scuba diving as there is so much to keep track of. So I take a second 1.25mg the night before or before heading to the airport and in about 40 minutes I am a lot calmer. The Doc said it was fine to do that.

[LaceyLady in reply to jwsonoma]

Good tips thanks. Like you that’s why I have Bisoprolol, and I can get wound up with same sort of travel, so I’ll bear that in mind 👍🏻

[DevonHubby1]

Wife is on Bisoprolol for PAF. It has definitely helped reduce the number of episodes which were far worse than any side effects she experienced.

[golfcity]

Thanks to everyone's responses, for taking the time and for the good feedback and comments. I've taken the first one. Still here! Just to add to my original post, it's really my rhythm that is the issue. My HR is 60/65 most of the time with the very occasional burst of AF and obviously raised during exercise etc. My BP averages 125/65. The cardio said Bisoprolol has a good record on rhythm control which is what I am hoping for. Once again thanks for all your replies.

[Herbie_uk]

I took bisoprolol 5mg twice a day for 2 years and had zero ill effect from it. Give it a try with an open mind and see what happens.

[golfcity in reply to Herbie_uk]

Yes, you're right - open mind. I expected worse than how its been today. Thanks for your post.

[Redders]

I take 1.25mg daily, it sorted my af out at first, but it came back about 6 weeks ago and I’m in permanent af now. I can’t increase the dose as it lowers my heart rate/blood pressure and I pass out.

[FancyPants54 in reply to Redders]

You will get used to permanent. I find it much easier to live with/ignore than random blots from the blue which used to floor me.

[Redders in reply to FancyPants54]

My Arrthymia nurse has just put me on Amiodarone. Not too happy with this.

[FancyPants54 in reply to Redders]

I won't ever be taking that. I already have a dicki thyroid. Amiodarone is bad for your thyroid gland.

When mine went persistent with HR of 130, I was in a panic. But they brought the rate down with Bisoprolol and Digoxin and I was already on an anticoagulant. My resting pulse does run high, in the 90s, but I'm OK with that. I have noticed I can reduce it quite a lot if my HRT dose and thyroid dose are closer to optimal. I would like to see an EP at some point, to discuss the future. But I'm not taking more drugs than I need and the 2.5mg (now) Nebivolol and Apixaban are doing fine.

[Redders in reply to FancyPants54]

I think I’m going to have a cardioversion so they want me to be on Amiodarone before I have it. I definitely won’t be staying on this toxic drug.

[golfcity in reply to Redders]

That's bad news for you. What to do next? Oddly after 1 hour, my heart rate fell to 54 but my BP has gone up to 145/75! I assume changes are gradual over time.....

[momist]

So, you've had lots of advice here, most of which sounds good to me. The only thing I'll add is that I agree that 2 weeks is not long enough for a trial. It's one of those drugs that it takes time to adjust to, so if you have not had any 'serious' side effect after two weeks, stick with it. It took me at least three months to adjust totally.

You may find that you feel tired and unable to walk up a hill at first, but that seems, for me, to be only at the beginning of the hill. Once your heart 'catches up' with the higher demand, the tired feeling goes away again. So, OK, it's a bit of a fight to get going, but if you stick with it you can cope, and it shouldn't stop you doing anything.

[golfcity in reply to momist]

Thanks for your comments. Your last sentence is exactly what I wanted to read! I expected much worse today so feel much better about things going forward.

[v1v1enne]

I have taken 1.25mg Bisoprolol daily for 8 years and have no side effects and they control my ectopics very well.

[golfcity in reply to v1v1enne]

Thanks for replying and the mention about ectopics which is the reason for them being prescribed for me. Have you ever thought about trying to wean yourself off them?

[v1v1enne in reply to golfcity]

As I am on the lowest dose and on the packet it says not to stop taking this medication suddenly I wouldn't know how to wean myself off them, they are too small to cut in half! However I have forgotten to take one occasionally for a day and felt fine so I tried another day without one and felt weird but no ectopics just a faster heartbeat which I didn't like so I still take it every day.

[golfcity in reply to v1v1enne]

Hello again V1v1enne, thanks for the extra info. So far its day 2 for me so some way to go. I haven't asked or been told what the long term effects of Biso are. i.e. do they permanently change 'anatomy' (if thats the right terminology). I will be wondering whether to push for ablation even if the Biso seems to work OK. Probably seems a stupid consideration if things are going well but I'm suspicious of how these drugs work.

[listerines]

Have been taking bisoprolol 2.5mg x 2 for over a year now and no side effects at all. Sotalol though made me feel like a zombie and heart rate in 40s. Everyone different

[golfcity in reply to listerines]

Hi Listerines, just put Sotalol in my little book to avoid. Seriously, it's good to hear from so many people on Bisoprolol without side effects. Its given me such a lift!

[golfcity]

My HR was 60/65 except for infrequent bursts of AF (around 150). I've got a Polar chest heart monitor for cycling which I'll wear tonight to see what happens.

[listerines]

Hello golfcity, please know though that you will find many people that have positive experiences with sotalol so don't cross off your future list too soon. Keep safe and fingers crossed no issues with bisoprolol (and on the off chance there is are many other options that your health professional team can look at)