bisoprolol - side effects

[JFJ131]

hi all.. advice would be appreciated. I have been on 10mg of bisoprolol for past two weeks, after seeing consultant (through NHS)( still looking at private options). I am now experiencing headaches…like migraine , mostly back of head but also moving about my head. Not nice. Anyway…wondering if side effects can start two weeks in? Any shared experiences would be much appreciated.

[Ilovedogs12]

Hi,

When I started on Bisoprolol I was fine for two weeks then I began having side effects.

My dosage was increased and after two weeks my side effects got worse.

I think it must take a while to properly get into your system, but I have no medical knowledge I am only speaking from my own experience.

I would call the doctor if I were you and tell them. They would most likely contact your cardiologist for advice about your dose.

[JFJ131 in reply to Ilovedogs12]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Can you tell me if headaches were a side effect you had?

[Ilovedogs12 in reply to JFJ131]

Sometimes I had headaches, sometimes I could see my heartbeat - my vision would jump in rhythm with my heartbeat, I don't know if that makes sense, I can't think of another way to explain it. I had fatigue, dizziness, the room felt like it was spinning at one stage. Nausea, a tightness in my throat. Sometimes I had a combination of these and sometimes different ones at different times, but always the fatigue. I would fall asleep each time I sat down. I even nodded off at an Eric Clapton concert 🤣.

Headaches can be all kinds of things, I would give the doctor a ring and see what they say.

[JFJ131 in reply to Ilovedogs12]

Thanks for your reply. Best wishes

[Tommyann]

I’ve read headaches is one of the many side effects of bisoprolol I can not take 10mg at once Terrible side effects really low heart rate ,dizziness … but can tolerate 5 mg x 2 a day but wondering is it this medicine that keeps me from sleeping 1 to 2 nights throughout the week completely see every hr on the clock very frustrating …

[JFJ131 in reply to Tommyann]

Hi, yes I struggle with sleep. We are not alone eh…watching the clock tick by. Thanks for your reply and best wishes

[Pigleywigley]

yes bad headaches & on bisoprolol - I can only manage 2.5 😨

[JFJ131 in reply to Pigleywigley]

Thanks for your reply. Best wishes

[jeanjeannie50]

That's a hefty dose of Bisoprolol your taking. What was your heart rate doing to warrant that? Do you have a machine on which you can check your blood pressure and heart rate?

Are you taking it as one 10mg dose or 5mg morning and the same at night?

Jean

[JFJ131 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Hi, yes hefty dose! I was. Initially on 5, then added in 2.5…but, foolishly, I was taking it a bit erratically, adjusting it myself. Silly, I know. Anyway got to see a consultant and he said ‘we have to get that rate down’…. It was around the 120..130 bpm. So he put me on 10 mg as well as apixaban, and said I have to take it regular, as prescribed. He said I will have cardioversion … so am waiting. The script just said x1 daily of 10 mg. I would like to split it but dare not without his say so, but just wondered about others experience.

[JFJ131 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

ps. My rate has come down on this in two weeks to average of 100, although still sometimes shows 120

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to JFJ131]

Why not ring the hospital where your consultant works and ask to speak to his secretary and ask her to pass on to your consultant how you are feeling, also ask whether splitting the dose to twice a day may help and is ok.

Jean

[JFJ131 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Yes, will do that as this once daily dose is starting to knock me for six. Thanks Jean.

[opal11uk]

I too take 10mg but never had headaches with it, tiredness at first but thats all

[JFJ131 in reply to opal11uk]

Presume the tiredness subsided after a while?

[opal11uk in reply to JFJ131]

Yes, but then I don't do a lot these days since breaking my hip playing table tennis and I also tend to doze in the afternoon which in turn causes me not to sleep well at night.... but we all have problems lol and just learn to live with them.

[Hidden]

Managing AFib can be tricky! Everyone has a different journey towards stabilisation. When first diagnosed I couldn’t tolerate Bisopropol at all and was prescribed Nebivolol which had no side effects but in my case didn’t control my AFib very well and I went on to have two cardioversions. Since the last one my (seen privately) cardiologist put me on Amiodarone which is the newest drug on the market (I believe). The initial dose was too high and I did have side effects (liver and kidney infections) but I’m now on 100mg daily and stable. However, Amiodarone may have consequences for some when taken long term so my cardiologist has put me on the list for an ablation. Good luck on your journey to find works for you!

[JFJ131 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply , best wishes

[Ppiman]

I would say that they can, since the effect of bisoprolol is to lower blood pressure and heart rate, and this could well affect the brain in some way. Also, the brain, along with many other organs does have beta receptors, even though bisoprolol is unusually specific to those in the heart.

Usually, side effects diminsh after a few weeks. In your case, I would ask your GP, or email the NHS consultants secretary for advice. There shouldn't be a need to pay privately, even though that is something I did - but driven by anxiety rather than clinical need.

Have you been given an echo-cardiogram, yet? I think that is very worthwhile as it gives a better look at the function of the heart.

When I was having very fast heart rate from atrial flutter in 2019, before my ablation, I was given 10mg bisoprolol. It didn't slow my heart very much, sadly, and I did feel awful, but will never know how much of that was the condition, the drug or plain fear. In the end, a kind soul here told me to ask about digoxin (125mcg), and, lo and behold, it worked and my bisoprolol was eventually cut, if I recall, to 2.5mg daily.

Steve

[JFJ131 in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks Steve for that advice and sharing your experience. I know what you mean about not knowing how much is the drug or other things such as anxiety! Cheers for your input

[Chuyueling]

My friend recently started it (early 50s) and is having very bizarre dreams several times a night. This leads to her waking up and never feeling properly rested. My mum (mid 70s) has been on it several years and while her sleep has always been bad, she definitely has more exhaustion. I've also noticed she speaks slightly differently since starting on it. Slightly slower. Might just be natural age related changes but I do wonder.

[JFJ131 in reply to Chuyueling]

Thanks for sharing your understanding and experiences

[LindyMc]

Bisoprolol does take different times to work with different people. I found this when trying to reduce dose. I found I needed to take a month when reducing my dose by 1.25. Did it in after 2 weeks when I hadn't had an AF episode in 4 months and suddenly hit daily episodes for 6 weeks. After changing from calcium channel blocker back to bisoprolol it took 2 weeks to reduce AF episodes to zero.

[agnostic1 in reply to LindyMc]

Bisoprolol stopped your Afib events? How long were they on average and is your resting heart rate high? Asking because mine is very low when not in Afib and I might take it for events but not permanently, but am very interested in your experience.

[JFJ131 in reply to agnostic1]

I too am interested..

[hausjac]

I was on 10mg/day for over 35 years - recently reduced it to 7.5mg myself which cardio happy with. I do remember when I first started thinking oh my god I can't tolerate this but overtime your body does get used to it. Never had headaches I must say. It's a good drug but does take a while to settle in. I have AV re-entry tachycardia as well as PAF so it works for both of them

[JFJ131 in reply to hausjac]

Wow … 35 years! Thanks for sharing your experience. I can so relate to the ‘my god I can’t tolerate this!’ lol. So , might be daft question but is your pulse rate normal now and did you ever have cardioversion etc?

[hausjac in reply to JFJ131]

Never needed cardioversion. My PAF is asymptomatic at the moment. Bisoprolol was given to control heart rate from the AV re-entry tachycardia which currently runs at between 60-65. I reduced the beta blocker about 3 years ago to 7.5mg as heart rate was getting a bit low in the fifties

[JFJ131 in reply to hausjac]

Thanks for the info best wishes

[Bodydoctor12]

I didn’t have headaches but I definitely plunged into a depression that I didn’t associate with the Biso. Be wary of how it affects your mood. My brother went from being a happy chappy to being a curmudgeon. He’s now reduced it to 5mg and is much more like himself. I was never happier than when I stopped taking it. I reduced from 7.5 to 3.75 and the change in my mood was significant plus it still had the same effect on my heart. Same with my bro.

[JFJ131 in reply to Bodydoctor12]

Very interesting that. I think someone else suggested something similar…ie…that the effect can be achieved with lower dose. Good food for thought. Thanks

[Bodydoctor12 in reply to JFJ131]

Once you stabilise and if you do reduce then do it very slowly so you don’t shock your heart.

[JFJ131 in reply to Bodydoctor12]

Thanks for the tip. Best wishes

[Borderterriorist]

Like you I was put on 10mg of bisoprolol but my HR was still too high so I moved on to 7.5mg twice daily, still too high and then had digoxin + 5mg of bisoprolol twice daily which works for me. I struggle to tolerate bisoprolol and get headaches, tiredness and a "fuzzy" head but it does settle down a bit with time. I've had to have a pacemaker because the bisoprolol (once it works) drops my HR much too low so my main issue is keeping my HR out of the danger zone. It's worth talking to the arrhythmia nurse (if you have one) or your GP if you are getting side effects without proper control as it's the worst of all worlds. Good luck.

[JFJ131 in reply to Borderterriorist]

Many thanks. Having input from people like yourself on this forum is amazing support! Best wishes.

[50568789]

I was prescribed Bisopropol when first diagnosed with AF in 2020. Can't remember too much about it apart from gastric upset, complained to GP about it and he quickly switched me to Atenolol, maximum dose - no problems since, although in my layman thinking I'm not convinced how well it keeps my AF under control.

[JFJ131 in reply to 50568789]

Presume it did reduce the pulse rate though? … thanks for your reply.

[50568789 in reply to JFJ131]

Yes, down to zombie level. Didn't stop my AF escalating and becoming persistent until finally an ablation. Carried on same medications but atrial flutter has taken over, totally lethargic, left struggling for breath when I go upstairs or walk a bit quick when out with the dog. Nil desperandum, due for cardioversion next week , hope to get respite for a bit.

[JFJ131 in reply to 50568789]

Thanks for info. I too get breathless on walking … terrible . Please let me know how cardioversion goes.

[Scotheart]

I'm on 10mg of Bis a day for HF (5mg around lunchtime, another 5mg in the evening) and have been for 2.5 years. It took some time getting used to but - touch wood - now the only (occasional)side effects are light-headedness or a bit of "fuzziness" in the head but otherwise no problems. I can still do a ten-mile walk (albeit on the flat - no hills) yet before starting on Bis had to stop for breath after climbing one flight of stairs. But just to emphasise this is MY personal experience. As most folks on this site know, what meds work for some people may not for others and vice-versa.

[JFJ131 in reply to Scotheart]

Hi, yes I appreciate we are all individual. I do find it reassuring however that you can walk so far now…wonderful! I am currently at the stage of struggling to come up stairs … feel terribly weak. It’s reassuring that things should/might improve, rather than thinking I will not be able to walk a decent distance again!

[SnowQueenOne]

Hi JFJ231

I was on a very low dose and it became quite clear very quickly I couldn't tolerate it. I had headaches too but it also slowed me down a lot. Couldn't function properly. And felt generally unwell on it. Can't remember how long I was on it before, in agreement with my consultant, it was stopped. Everyone is different but worth a conversation with your consultant.

[JFJ131 in reply to SnowQueenOne]

Yes, will do. Out of curiosity… what did they replace it with? …if you don’t mind sharing. The way you describe it is so like I feel …slowed down a lot!

[SnowQueenOne in reply to JFJ131]

Hi

I'm not on anything. My episodes are I think what's called paroxysmal?! It's just when they happen, they vary in intensity, sometimes they are to such an extent I collapse / nearly collapse. I had an ablation May 2022 and was fine for c.15 months then things started again. Due to see my EP shortly to discuss potential further options.

[JFJ131 in reply to SnowQueenOne]

Oh thanks for sharing. Hope all goes well with forthcoming appointment. Best wishes

[Shcldavies]

Everyone is different as you can see from the replies, only your Doc will have the knowledge to help. From a personal point of view tiredness is an unwanted symptom, fortunately I am now on 1.25 (from 10 six years ago) and not effected by tiredness at this dose. Remember your body takes time to adjust to Biso, this can be days, weeks or months.

[JFJ131 in reply to Shcldavies]

Yes, thanks, I know I have to give it time.. interesting and reassuring that you have over time reduced. Did they just steadily reduce it as heart rate settled?

[Auriculaire]

The first time I was put on Bisoprolol at 5mg a day by a hospital cardiologist the side effects started after about a week. I would get a headache that started like clockwork 2/3 hours after taking the tablet . I felt like a zombie- everything was a huge effort and I felt really low. I went to my GP and told him if I had to live feeling like this for the rest of my life I did not want to live. He reduced the dose by half. Later as I am a naughty patient I reduced it myself to 1.25 mg. Luckily my own cardiologist said I could stop it. Later I was put on it again after an episode of afib post op. Again the clinic cardiologist prescribed 5mg. This time I reduced it myself as soon as I had gone back to NSR. Some people just cannot tolerate large doses or even the minimum dose of 1.25mg. Now I take Nebivolol.

[JFJ131 in reply to Auriculaire]

Very interesting.and such similar side effects. Thanks

[scout70]

I have absolutely no idea what the dosage requirements should be but just to let you know that I am on 1.25 I sometimes feel very tired on that dosage so god knows what I would be like if I was on 10 mg !

[JFJ131 in reply to scout70]

Aye lol

[Tomred]

My ep told me they were taught , low and slow , to begin with meds, i take 1.25mg per day , gp started me on 5mg, could not get out of chair, so ep reduced dosage.

[JFJ131 in reply to Tomred]

Makes sense. It makes one wonder how they pluck the amounts out! Thanks for replying and best wishes

[Afibtastic]

When I first started taking it just over two years ago I had days that I thought the end was very close. Just felt horrible and couldn't function. Have reduced to 1.25mg per day and this is OK but would be interesting to see how I would feel without it. Also does such a small dose have much of an effect anyway.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

10mg is the maximum dose. Why so high? What is it for H/Rate or BP?

Unfortunately if control of ... is not working the H/Specialist allows the Dr to put it up.

But if it is not showing control of H/Rate - under 100 at rest - it is not the right med to do that job.

Very quickly with the private interested H/Specialist that showed no control with BBs then he introduced CCB Diltiazem CD.

Then it was up to me and I used the nurse at the NZ Heart Foundation's advice to get any regime correct. So over 3 days:

Specialist reduced his dose from 180 to 120mg.

That Bisoprolol was decreased from 10mg to 2.5mg.

That separation of CCB and BB was paramount. And with my normal Night Rate at 47avg bpm CCB would be doing it's job in the AM if controlling down my H/Rate.

Bisoprolol at PM.

And of course the added PRADAXA 110mg twice day.

At least a stable regime for Heart done.

It takes some patience but with careful thought hopefully your regime will be a winner for you.

cheri JOY

[JFJ131]

yes, here’s hoping. Thank you

[Goldfish7]

I have lots of problems with Bisoprolol but have not had the headaches (yet). I have also frequently been on the 10mg dose - I cant take it in one dose and have to split it into 2 x 5mg morning and evening. Some people seem to have no problems with Bisoprolol but a lot of us do so Keep a diary of your side effects and if they don't subside talk to your Dr about trying other meds, after all its all supposed to be about quality of life!