Definite weight gain with increased Bisoprolol dosage

[ChrissieMT]

6 months ago I was only taking a very low, 1.25mg dose of Bisoprolol, this was increased by my cardiologist to 3.75 and recently by my GP to two 2.5mg daily (5mg). I have definitely put on weight and have had no luck in lowering it with diet. I feel extremely tired all the time, not helped by the need for me to act as my husband’s carer due to his recent accident. I am tempted to gradually reduce the dosage as it is making feel upset and unhappy.

[Hidden]

Your recent posts suggest fluid retention. Urgent echocardiogram needed, with diuretics in the interim possibly.

I am not a physician

[ChrissieMT in reply to Hidden]

I am due an appointment with a cardiologist, but goodness knows when that will happen!

[Franks-Nan]

Apparently it's to do with the slowing down of adrenaline and metabolism, some people are more affected than others. But water retention can also contribute, how are your ankles?

[ChrissieMT in reply to Franks-Nan]

I never seem to have problems with my ankles apart from when we have hot days, my tummy is definitely bigger (not huge) so it could be fluid retention?

[Franks-Nan in reply to ChrissieMT]

Sounds as though you could do with some support regarding your hubby, stress does funny things to our bodies.

[Hidden in reply to ChrissieMT]

Swollen belly in this context is consistent with fluid retention.You’ve previously described symptoms consistent with left heart failure causing breathlessness. See GP asap

What are you waiting for suffering unnecessarily? The GP can give you diuretics and book an echocardiogram. Forget about the cardiology appointment in 25/26. This is basic stuff. Not a doctor

[Jalia]

Join the club . Bisoprolol is notorious for slowing down metabolism and contributing to weight gain, not to mention the tiredness.

This drug makes me feel so awful and frankly does very little anyhow that I will not take it on a regular basis .

I don't know why you are taking this and can't advise you to cut back. However do get in touch with your GP and let him know how you are feeling and can't continue with the effects you are experiencing.

Best wishes

J

[Borderterriorist]

Hi I now take 5mg of bisoprolol twice a day and I've also put some weight on. For me because it makes me tired I am nowhere near as active as I used to be and it's known to lower your metabolism, a double whammy so to speak. As I'm now nearly 76 I tend to go with the tiredness, stick my feet up after lunch and listen to a podcast before I get going again!

I had an appointment with the hospital quite recently and mentioned I'd put on weight, the arrhythmia nurse checked my ankles and the front of my shin, there was no evidence of fluid retention so she was happy all was well. It's said you should cut your calories by 250 daily if you are putting weight on because of the bisoprolol. Look up ascites, normally if you have abdominal fluid retention you will get other symptoms like discomfort or bloating, shortness of breath etc, it may put your mind at rest. With regard to the tiredness, if the bisoprolol isn't helping your symptoms it would be worth a chat with your GP as there are other drugs depending on your medical condition.

[Cavalierrubie]

l think all your problems are Bisoprolol. Notorious drug for lots of us. I recall a post once before with exactly the same problems. I can’t take the drug regularly as it lowers my blood pressure too much and makes me breathless. Zombie like feelings as if in outer space. I use it as a pip. I would go back to GP and get a review. Don’t suffer in silence.

[Ppiman]

I found the same but became convinced that the effect wasn't directly from the bisoprolol as such but more from the way it slowed down my heart rate too far and then my overall activity levels. I went back to my lower dose of 1.25mg daily, reduced portion sizes just enough not to really notice, cut out the nightly excess of a Waitrose Belgian chocolate peanuts and after some months, have resumed my old weight.

There is a study online that does show beta-blockers can increase weight, possibly by some devious but small effect on the metabolism, but the overall effect was rather small (just a few pounds).

Steve

[JC162]

Morning. I feel for you as I too gained a lot of weight after being on this BB. I've also struggled with others. I was eventually put onto a verapamil. No extra weight gain but still struggle to lose weight. I hope your cardiology team will help you.

[Madscientist16]

See your doctor. Higher dose means lower heart rate and more tiredness which leads to less activity and lower metabolism.