Four weeks ago I was diagnosed with AF and put on 5mg Bisoprolol, since then I am not able to sleep at all and suffering very badly , I did ask fallow members for advise and they kindly made some suggestions , did tried few of them but did not work for me . I was told that insomnia is a one of the known side effect of Bisoprolol.
Has anyone suffered with insomnia while taking Bisoprolol, if so is there any safe alternative they have tried and work for them , I have no sleep for weeks and effecting very badly , GP was not much help , just said “ O some people suffer with it “ did not suggested me any anything.
I know I did ask before and appreciated the suggestions but my problem is getting worse , please share your experience and advise .
Thank you
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papillone
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There are alternatives, I haven’t tried them because I couldn’t take any heart rate drugs and I certainly couldn’t tolerate Bisoprolol but it seems it’s the first drug tried. Judging by how often this question is asked on this forum I would estimate that about one third of people struggle with the side effects, ironically, most people they become very tired and breathless but do remember every single person reacts very differently to each drug.
The classes of heart rate drugs are:-
Beta Blockers - Bisoprolol is a beta blocker - it blocks adrenaline channels. There are other types of beta blocker - any drug with the suffix olol is a beta blocker.
The most commonly used class after beta blocker is a Calcium Channel Blocker - such as diltiazem and verapamil. I know there have been posts here over the years when posters have reported calcium channel blocker has worked for them because they could not tolerate Bisoprolol.
After that you would need to see a cardiologist to be prescribed any antiarrythmic/heart rate drugs such as Sotolol or Amiodarone which are potassium channel blockers.
Have you seen a cardiologist/EP? If not suggest you push your GP for a referral for which there may be a long wait. If you can afford a one off consultation with a specialist cardiolgist/EP I would suggest you find one who works in the NHS as well as privately so you can switch to their list. Cost of private appointment will vary but circa £200-£300.
Try see another GP and before you do, research your background. Our GP practice has one GP who specialises in cardiac. My previous practice had a GP who was a qualified cardiologist registrar so licensed to prescribe every class of drug for AF, most GPs are not.
When I was on Bisoprolol, particularly for the first month or so, I would have very vivid dreams or nightmares. I would wake frequently through the night. Apparently this is a known side effect as Bisoprolol crosses the blood brain barrier. Are you having difficulty getting off to sleep or are you waking up following dreams, with an active mind while sleeping?In my situation the dreams/ nightmares stopped, I think I got used to the Bisoprolol. I was on Bisoprolol for a couple of years.
Hi I do not fall to sleep , the mind keep working no sleep no dreams Just awake all night I feel so tired Before the medication I have a good pattern for sleep
I would fall to sleep, but awaken frequently through out the night with an active mind. In the morning I would waken and feel like I had a poor night's sleep. It did pass after a couple of months, and I returned to getting a good night's sleep of between 6 to 8 hours. I'm a morning person, particularly now in my mid 50's I can't handle a night out, or going to bed late. I do quite an active job, farming industry so I need a good night's sleep.
The dose of bisoprolol could be too high for you, or you do need to try an alternative by the sounds of it and the only way is to see a doctor, which I know you’re trying to do. I initially had insomnia on bisoprolol, but this did improve, but it can take differing amounts of time for people.
Sometimes we think we don’t sleep and we actually do, even if for very short amounts of time. I’m not saying this is happening to you, but you may be surprised and are actually getting a few minutes/ hours here and there, without realising, but it’s still not enough for us. I would really try and get a GP appointment asap and press for a change in medication. It’s not good enough for them to say what they said and I’m sorry to say, you need to push back on them as it’s affecting your life. Make sure they know this.
Are you taking a single 5mg dose at night? you could try taking it in the morning instead. or splitting the dose? But one to discuss with your GP in case there was a specific reason for a nighttime dose.
I started to take bisoprolol in the morning and had forgotten why ( it was a few years ago) now I remember it wasn't just so I wouldn't forget more the sleep & dreams!
Welcome to the Forum, I am positive you will receive a warm welcome from the fellow AF members, they will be able to offer and share advice based upon their own experiences.
Have you visited the AF Association webpage? you will find a wealth of information including helpful videos and resources.
You will find more information regarding beta blockers, including Bisoprolol on page 9 of the Drug Information for AF booklet: api.heartrhythmalliance.org...
If you would like to ask any questions or require support and advice from our Patient Services Team, please feel free to contact:
my advice - come off it. This is how I started insomnia due to low heart rate
I then cut my my 5 mg in half and just took the 2.5 all whilst raising concerns with the GP. 18 months later couldn’t tolerate 1.25 ( I was cutting the tablet into 4) and had developed bradycardia before going to hospital.
It’s a horrible drug in my experience which also gave me low energy; weight gain. There are alternatives .
I suffer about one night out of three, I know I’m just not going to sleep. I spent Friday night in A & E with chest pains. after all the tests they said sometimes you get pain with AF. Ive never had pain before. I find when they know its AF it’s a bit like get on with it . I’ve got a heart scan next week so will try to get some answers. I hope you get sorted out. Take care.
I have only just started Biso 1.25mg and it's really bad. It does not cause me to lose sleep I take mine at 8.30 am with Breakfast. I only have a high heart rate and it's lowering that.
I have no thyroid and it's interfering with my medication and I am back to falling over all day and feeling sick too.
Sorry it's bad for you I hope you get answers soon.
Bisoprolol has never affected my sleep - my wife says that I could sleep standing on one leg... I can fall asleep ten times in half an hour when reading - is that bisoprolol?.
Hopefully your body will adapt and all will be better soon - relax - worry will make things worse!
I have searched side effects of beta blockers, and this is a common response: Beta blockers have long been associated with sleep disturbances such as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and insomnia. They have been shown to reduce the production of melatonin via specific inhibition of beta-1 adrenergic receptors. Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the pineal gland in the brain, and helps in maintaining normal circadian rhythms.6,20-21 People with hypertension already have a lower melatonin production rate than those with normal blood pressure.
When I was on Bisoprolol I had problems getting to sleep( although I felt tired all the time) and with vivid dreams that woke me up. I was put on it by cardiology after discovered atrial ectopics. They wanted me to take 2.5 and the gp started me on 1,25. I said I wanted to stop and did after 2 months. GP wrote to cardiologist asking to suggest alternative, when they ( eventually)got back they said no alternative needed. ( Why was I on it in the first place then?)
The GP had been reluctant for me to stop and said I was on a low dose as if my sleeplessness and feeling fatigue were imagined. I’m glad I did stop. Feel much better.
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