Withdrawal from Bisoprolol

[Lollysmum]

Hi,

My husband was in permanent AF, he has now had 2 Cardioversions, the first lasted for 6 weeks and the second which he had in February combined with being prescribed Amiodarone is currently still holding him in NSR. We have been told they are unlikely to work long term as his heart is dilated due to the nature of his AF.

Since the CV his heart rate has been very slow and he has had a few funny turns (beats less than 50bpm). We spoke to the nurse and following consultation with the cardiologist he was told to just stop his 2.5mg dose of Bisoprolol. His last dose was Saturday morning, so yesterday was his first full day not taking the drug. He always suffers from bad dreams, but last night he had an horrific one that I struggled to wake him up from and this morning he has woken up feeling exceptionally light headed and having hallucinations that rats are running around the bedroom. Has anyone else suffered similar at all? I have read that Bisoprolol can be difficult to wean off of, so I'm guessing his abrupt stopping taking it is not such a good idea, but I can't see anyone else having such a violent reaction of this type.

I have spoken to the hospital and the nurse agreed it might be advisable to take a half dose for the time being and monitor his heart rate. He is due to have an ablation at the end of the month so we have various pre op appointments coming up where we can get further advice, but I'm just interested to know if this is something anyone else has suffered.

Thanks in advance

[BenHall1]

May I suggest you read the bit of paper in the packet .... it should tell you how to come off Bisop. Firstly though, hubby must come off it slowly, it will say that. Alternatively maybe a Pharmacist consultation will produce some good advice. I would cut out 1.25mg for a couple of weeks. then the last 1.25mg for the next two weeks. During this process keep a record of hubbys heart rate. It should rise.

It is not difficult to come off ... as long as you do as instructions say.

John

[mjames1]

Sounds like a plan, but if he still having withdrawal symptoms, you might try alternating 2.5 and 1.25 for a week or so before going to 1.25 every day. We all react to these drugs differently, so how he feels may be the best guide to the optimum withdrawal schedule.

Jim

[Bodydoctor12 in reply to mjames1]

I would agree with Jim, take it very slowly - my heart reacted every time I reduced by dose too much, slowly and steadily

[dogsneedwalking]

I had my Cardioversion last August after failed ablation in March last year. I to was taking bisoprolol but was 'weaned' off of it [Bisoprolol] over a 2 week period. I am now only taking the Amiodarone which was reduced from 200mg per day to 100mg per day after a successful Cardioversion. All was good until I had a very bad chest infection in December last year so AFib is back. I have very very vivid dreams and I am saying it's the Amiodarone perhaps affecting me as I'm no longer on the Bisoprolol, mostly good ones though with the odd scarey one.

[Desanthony]

I couldn't get on with bisoprolol or any of this kind of medication the first time i cam off I was going onto another medication. The last time I came off it I too came off immediately as one Saturday morning I was too ill to get downstairs. My wife called the hospital whilst I stood dizzily on our landing near a chair. My cardiologist was on duty and told me to just come off immediately which I did. It is only since then that I found out that it is probably best to wean yourself off slowly. However, I don't remember having any problems - though my problems with the medication were so bad I wouldn't have cared. Probably best if you do halve the dose for a week or so and then halve again before stopping completely.

[Jimmy37]

Could not get on with bisoprololalmost permanent af had a total of 5 cardiovascular versions followed by a pacemaker 4 years ago , touch wood all now ok

[Auriculaire]

Unfortunately nobody knows whether they can wean off Bisoprolol fast or slowly till they try it. If your rate of weaning off is too fast and you get withdrawal symptoms it is better to go back up to an in between dose and take it more slowly.