Bisoprolol to Diltiazem

[tealdozer]

So I've been put on Diltiazem (120mg per day PR) after being on Bisoprolol for 4 months, change of meds due to the horrible side effects of bisoprolol . So took my last bisoprolol Sunday evening as usual then stopped and took my first diltiazem yesterday evening. Had the best nights sleep for ages and feel pretty good and energetic today, no af symptoms today. Obviously very early days but maybe light at the end of the tunnel. Only odd thing is my resting heart rate whilst on bisoprolol was mid to low 50's and today it has been in the mid to high 70's even though I feel fine. I am assuming it is because the bisoprolol was lowering my HR and now that I am off it my heart rate is rebounding ?

[jeanjeannie50]

I came off Bisoprolol as it was causing a horrible ache in my legs when I sat down or went to bed. I spoke to a Nurse Practitioner at my docs surgery last week and she said I could stop taking it right away and use my old beta blocker Metoprolol.

There have been many good reports of Diltiazem on this forum lately. It's sounding as though it suits you. Let me know how you get on with it please as I may ask to change to it.

[tealdozer in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks Jean, yes I'll let you know how it's going once I've had a few weeks on it.

[Threecats]

Hi Tealdozer

I was on Bisoprolol 1.25mg daily for just over a year before it was finally discovered that it was the cause of the chest pain I’ve been getting on exercise. I was switched to Diltiazem but that didn’t suit me terribly well, so have been switched again, this time to Verapamil which is suiting much better. I’m not surprised your resting heart rate has gone up, though, I find the CCBs aren’t as effective at controlling my heart rate compared to beta-blockers. My daytime resting heart rate is now in the 80s whereas it was in the high 60s on Bisoprolol ( I’m in persistent AF)

Hope the Diltiazem continues to suit you, TC

[tealdozer in reply to Threecats]

Thank you.

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to Threecats]

Hi

Verapamil is another Calcium Channel Blocker but you may have been put on 1/2 life.

Dr says my Diltiazem 120mg also covers 1/2 24-hr. As my night avge always stays at 47 avge on 24-hr monitor.

cheers JOY. 74. (NZ)

[Threecats in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi Joy

Yes, I'm on the short-acting version at the moment. Glad you've found a med. regimen that suits you.

All the best, TC

[Singwell]

9Diltiazem is an AV node blocker whereas Bisoprolol is a Beta Blocker. I think the Diltiazem acts more directly to slow down one of the electrical responses in the heart. It is also a vasodilator so your BP might drop. I found it made me photosensitive (listed as a side effect) so cover up on sunny day. Apparently en route in the UK! And you might find it gives you acid reflux - it acts on the smooth muscle of the body and can loosen the oesophagal sphincter. But those side effects are manageable in my experience. The BP lowering was sometimes problematic for me after a run of AF. Overall, an effective med. Won't suit everyone. Personally I wasn't a fan of Bisoprolol. Made me feel old 😀 and my legs ached walking upstairs.

[Ducky2003]

I had 3 months on Bisoprolol when my AF first started and it was hideous. Could barely breathe. My pharmacist explained that it can attach to receptors in the lungs as well as the heart and recommended I speak to the cardiologist to get changed to Diltiazem.I did that and with a bit of grumbling, he did and been on it since. I did get a bit of water retention when I first started as it was a high dose but it soon settled.

Just had my dose lowered after recent consultant's appt as my average HR is 48-50 and EP said it could be higher.

[Ppiman]

I've read there is a kind of rebound effect that lasts a short while. Let's hope you are now sorted!

Steve

[tealdozer]

Thanks to all for your comments and advice, very early days yet but I do feel better in myself and I am certainly sleeping better, I suspect I have had some AF but perhaps the diltiazem is masking any symptoms. I probably shouldn't constantly check my heart rate on my apple watch and just get on with life !

[bantam12]

Diltiazem increased my rate to much and although I felt fine to start with after a month I had to go back to Bisoprolol.

[linc2u]

I went onto Diltiazem after trying various meds for AF. I can’t say I feel great as I do suffer with lightheaded ness especially in the morning. It has been suggested that I increase to 180 a day but not sure why.

Yes my heart rate is between 70 an 80 most of the time. No ankle swelling as yet .

Do hope you get on ok…. bit of a minefield finding what’s best for you!! For me , it was a last resort as I felt worse on everything else!!

Best of luck !!

[JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply to linc2u]

Hi

Lightheaded on Diltiazem I reduced from 180 down to 120mg.

Why in God's name would you want more lighheaded!

cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

You may like me need low Bisoprolol (2.5) for BP PM and Diltiazem 120mg for H.R AM.

It took a year on Diltiazem to arrive at 60s Day H/R with 47avge Night staying the same.

120-124/69. 60s (was 88-96) Day with 47 avge Night.

I found 50 too low for me day.

Cheers Joy. 74. (NZ)

[southkorea]

Yes it does lower your heart rate. But any heart rate between 60-100 is fine

[Ersilia2]

yes while I was on Diltiazem my heart rate was in the 80’s since changing to Bisoprolol my heart rate has been in the mid 40’s. The EP told me the Diltiazem won’t lower your heart rate too much.