Reduce Bisoprolo : Hi everyone, I have... - Atrial Fibrillati...

Atrial Fibrillation Support

33,191 members39,520 posts

Reduce Bisoprolo

Marymara profile image
37 Replies

Hi everyone, I have been on 5mg of Bisoprolo now for 6 years, just excepted it, wanted rate low, I have just realised maybe the way I feel could been down to them, so slow, no energy, I assumed it was my condition, I know they have a slowing down effect, just wondering if I could think about reducing the dose now I am in persistent AF which seems to be more stable and less of an ventricle response going on so it seems, any experience or knowledge on this please.

Written by
Marymara profile image
Marymara
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
37 Replies
BenHall1 profile image
BenHall1

Well I'm not gonna advise you as I'm not medically qualified like a GP nor am I a pharmacist. Your question really needs to be put to your GP ( family doctor ) or your Surgery Pharmacist. Better still your Cardiologist/EP or whoever put you on this drug in the first place. Basically though, what you experience is fairly normal with that dose of that drug ! You're not alone in your feelings. There are other beta blockers available and again its back to medical team for advice I'm afraid.

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

Agree, takes a while for the Bisoprolol to clear the system and some people experience withdrawal symptoms so find they need to reduce very slowly. Do get advice from your cardiologist. My own experience was that the brain fog along with the feeling of having been drugged disappeared within a week or so but the fatigue took a lot longer and I found it very difficult to distinguish what was AF and what was the after affects of the drug and another condition which also causes fatigue. I was much better not taking any meds though and if in persistent AF, unless your heart rate is high, what is the point of taking anything was always my argument.

I recently saw my own cardiologist as I am having surgery and surgeons wanted assurance on anticoagulants, pacemaker and what would they do if I went into fast AF - my HR these days rarely goes above 120-130 and he was OK with that as we both know that would be a reaction to the trauma of the surgery under local anaesthetic - surgery is on my nose.

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply toCDreamer

Hi

I have 2 anaesthetists! and 2 Doctors. Aren't I lucky, lucky.

But the CCB Diltiazem keeps me below 100. H/R.

I'm up for another 2 keyhole surgeries. 1 on elbow and 1 on knee which was done after 3 years pain and I had the most awful rear so he (now retired) cut the meniscus out!

Anaesthetics wouldn't touch me unless my H/R was under 100. I have persistent AF.

cheri JOY. 76. (NZ)

RF260 profile image
RF260

Hi, I was in persistent AF but with a low RHR that went into the 30's overnight and generally 40's while at rest during the day. Had been taking 2.5mg bisoprolol for about 8 months following heart attack. At review mid December cardiologist agreed that to aim to counter the fatigue I should wean off so I immediately dropped to 1.25mg for 2 weeks then stopped. Have suffered some pretty unpleasant anxiety but hoping that will resolve soon, heart rate now high 40's overnight and mid 50's during the day, I also started Amiodarone 1st Jan which got me back into normal rhythm, having 24 hour holter this week to confirm how rate is now I'm off the bisoprolol and also back in rhythm and also discuss next steps regarding potential AF returning when I stop the Amiodarone. Good luck.

Poorlizzie profile image
Poorlizzie

hi Marymara

My GP halved my Bisoprolol dose 2.5 to 1.25 two weeks ago as my blood pressure had now settled in the 70s sometimes 60s systolic. My AF like you is now permanent but I also have moderately severe heart failure. I feel great after two years feeling like a Zombie no energy no motivation .My heart rate has raised slightly but it was also low sometimes under 40. Having said that that other health professionals previously would not change the dose. Good luck!

Vonnegut profile image
Vonnegut

That’s a very high dose! I had to stop taking the lowest dose of 1.25mg after just three days as it brought my heart rate down too low! No wonder you are feeling the way you are! Have you checked your pulse? Bisoprolol only reduced the heart rate ( in your case it seems, too much) and does nothing for the irregularity which is part of AF.

Catlady56 profile image
Catlady56

I am also in constant Afib and have been for many years. Cardiologist put me on 5mg Bisoprolol, but split in 2.5 morning and 2.5 evening which works well for me. I also feel a lot of tiredness, but put that down to the Afib and heart failure as well as Bisoprolol. Speak to your medical team.

maxred1 profile image
maxred1

I have been on 10mg for the past 4 years. It is linked with a fairly large dose Digoxin. Two years ago during my review I asked if I could reduce the dosage. My Cardio responded. You are extremely well controlled and if it aint broke do not fix. Sage advice. IMO. These are load drugs so any tampering should be in line with your GP/Cardio input. S

Tomred profile image
Tomred

5mg bisoprolol i couldnt get out of my chair, reduced to 1.25 mg now.

Marymara profile image
Marymara in reply toTomred

Iv been on that dose for six years, altogether been on that drug 13 years they gradually increased it, everyone's different, still managed to get heart failure, even though these drugs are supposed to keep rate down, which Iv learnt is the cause of AF related heart failure.

opal11uk profile image
opal11uk

PLEASE do not self medicate, I did this to my cost, consult with your cardiologist .

Marymara profile image
Marymara in reply toopal11uk

I would not dream of self medicating

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman

I asked about stopping mine (1.25mg) but my GP reminded me that my AF, at the heart rate I get it (around 100-135bpm), is something I cope well enough with, but when I get AF at a faster rate (maybe 180-190bpm), I feel much more uncomfortable. He rightly pointed out that the bisoprolol might be what is holding the rate down.

In your case, what is your usual heart rate when the AF is at its worst (if it varies, that is)?

Steve

Marymara profile image
Marymara in reply toPpiman

I don't know, iv been on these meds for 13 years increasing the dose over the first few years because I thought it was too much to cope with, now I can cope better, rate under 90 now, I'm am a panic person.

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman in reply toMarymara

You could ask your GP to give you a plan to taper it safely, since sudden withdrawal can be dangerous. Maybe ¾ > ½ > ¼ over some period. 1.25 mg seems quite a common maintenance type dosage from what others report here.

Steve

Marymara profile image
Marymara in reply toPpiman

Wouldn't take advice from a GP

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman in reply toMarymara

Both GPs in our practice are superb and very experienced.

Steve

solarjdo69 profile image
solarjdo69 in reply toMarymara

I had a buddy who pulled muscles years ago and the specialist prescribed muscle relaxers and to stay away from any strenuous excercise. Weeks went by and he was despondent as he is a big softball player type.

He went in again to speak with the specialist but he was unavailable, so he spoke with a GP. GP suggested he stop taking the relaxers and go back to playing ball to work the muscles out but slowly. 2 weeks later he was all better and playing softball just fine.

Specialists are not gods! Just because someone has additional training / indoctrination does NOT mean that they know everything. There are a lot of good GPs out there.

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply toPpiman

Hi

Sounds like you might be better on a CCB - calcium channel blocker.

Better for me, Steve.

Controlling H/R in AF.

cheri JOY. 76 now. (NZ)

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman in reply toJOY2THEWORLD49

Hi Joy - I did ask my rather revered specialist but was assured that bisoprolol was, for me, the drug of choice. He didn't explain his reasoning, though.

Steve

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply toPpiman

Hi

Unless it is controlling your Heart Rate whether in or out of AF it is not. I found it was OK for BP and only bringing down H/R to 156 at rest.

Diltiazem CD works anazingly for me. Brought down H/R in 2 hours from (180) 156 to 51 too much and on a little Bisoprolol 2.5.

Reduced Diltiazem to 120mg been on it 3 years.

Not suitable for those with venticle or valve abnormality.

But there are other CCBs for others of the above.

Sleep 7-8 hours a day now and none hours during the day! Hurrah!

cheri JOY

When I complained to hospital re Metopolol when I said NO it will make me breathless. I was told by another Dr (probably her colleague or friend) That everyone who has a stroke gets Metoprolol!

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman in reply toJOY2THEWORLD49

Beta blockers have a wide range of heart friendly effects, I gather. But who really knows? My AF at rest tends to peak at 135bpm (according to my watch) which I cope with well.

I do envy your being able to sleep for 7 hours. I sometimes feel insomnia will be the end of me. People who sleep naturally and stay asleep don’t realise just how very lucky they are.

Steve

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply toPpiman

Hi

What is the other med you are on - you are on bisoprolol. candesarten and anti-co agulant.

I am down to

125 Thyroxin daily early morning (Synthyroid)

Diltiazem - CCB at least 1 hour later. Daily.

PRADAXA 110 x twice daily

Only.

I have had Papillary Thyroid cancer removed. Low Risk so declined RAI treatment and suppression of TSH.

I am deficient in B12 so Solgar Sublingual nugget daily missing 2 days each week. Level kept at 700-800.

Check out your B12 Level.

I can't find your other med. Funny word.

cheri Joy

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman in reply toJOY2THEWORLD49

Hi Joy - I take bisoprolol (1.25mg), losartan (100mg) and apixaban (10mg bd). I also take a statin.

Steve

babs1234 profile image
babs1234

they made me very lethargic I now take them as a PIP

Marymara profile image
Marymara in reply tobabs1234

Oh but they are good for your heart for other reasons, depending on your problem.

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman in reply toMarymara

That right - they seem a generally good thing as we get older, anyway.

Steve

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply toPpiman

HI

Have you looked and researched Candesartan.

The side effects are massive and death due to high potassium. It has potassium in it so leave out the banana.

I would really question this drug and side effects. Can cause kidney failure.

I would drop this one.

Looking up the other which I haven't heard about.

Hot here and Westerley which my windows apart from bathroom aren't giving me a breathe through.

What does your specialist say when you cant sleep. !36 is at least 36 bp, over every minute of the day. Its doing damage right there.

cheri JOY

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman in reply toJOY2THEWORLD49

It's losartan I take, but similar, I think. I have read nothing about any problems with it. I shall investigate now - thanks for the tip.

Steve

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply toPpiman

Hi

Read about statins.

We all need cholesterol!

If you 5 or under when you take off good cholesterol. I would forego it.

On thyroxine for thyroidectomy. so I could only take 20mg avorstatin.

You need to stop if taking the anti COVID med whilst you contract it.

But due to my thyrodectomy I cant take that anyway.

I had my 11th COVID 30 cc - sounds a lot. Had swelling for 3 days only. No other side effects. Do not rub the site.

Never contracted COVID and last flu August 2023.

With each blood test plus I've been told to drink more fluids. Otherwise looking good.

Watch your hydration!!!

cheri JOY

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman in reply toJOY2THEWORLD49

You're something of a walking miracle with all you've been through, Joy!

Steve

ForensicFairy profile image
ForensicFairy

I have been on various beta blockers at fairly high doses for 5 years now. I also suffer a huge amount of fatigue and it’s been my biggest issue since diagnoses. I’m on 12.5mg of Carvedilol twice a day

I spoke to my cardiologist and he’s agreed to halve it to see if it helps alleviate some of my fatigue. I’m on multiple drugs including candesartan, imgur and eliquis. As he said, we can only try it and see if you feel better and your heart remains stable (which it’s not perfectly stable but it’s going pretty well!). I know that if I start having tachy type events again I will have to increase it back to what it was. Fingers crossed and watch this space!

Marymara profile image
Marymara in reply toForensicFairy

That's my fear, rather feel slow then have fast palps.

Ppiman profile image
Ppiman in reply toMarymara

It's easy to forget how bad a high rate feels when you haven't had that in a while. I was on a long walk a month or two back when my AF came on (it doesn't usually when out walking) and I pressed on, then felt light-headed and took my pulse - well over 180bpm.

Steve

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49 in reply toForensicFairy

Hi

I slept afternoon sleeps as well on Bisoprolol.

As I reinteract Beta Blockers don't control my persistent heart rate!

Drs through direction from Heart Specialists kept pulling up the dose.

As the report came out after visit Drs could put my Diltiazem CD up from the initial 180mg CD to 360mg CD!!!!!!

NO WAY it HAD TO COME DOWN!!!!

So you see = have a heart monitor to see what your meds are ACTUALLY doing.

Diltiazem peters out over the afternoon and allows my normally LOW h/Rate Night at 47npm and that was proven overe 3 24hr heart monitors. The hospital heart specialist left me on 156bpm.

When the Heart Specialist came onto the scene he could see that my 135h/rate at rest at 1pm was not controlled so read my history.

Decided I could take Diltiazem. So it was proven that a CCB was better for H/Rate.

Do not stand for it.

As 10mg of Bisoprolol did not control down my H/Rate. The best it could do. 156bpm. Avge Day.

I no longer have to sleep after a journey. After giving up BB. In 2008 a changed clinic doubled my Metopolol to 47.75 x 2. I can hardly breathe without exertion. I rung he said stop and back to initial dose BUT HE NEVER PUT IT IN MY NOTES.

Disgraceful!

Research queries the fact that BBs are given after a STROKE. In 2017 hospitals should have been told to trial both a BB and a CCB for Heart Rate. Then BP.

I should have been! Then or later.

I split the pills x 3 23.75mg Metoprolol. Said I could reduce I did. Still breathless. And apparemtly pauses at night.

You are the CEO to your health. Over 100 no operations can take place.

One lady says she takes a CCB as a pip.

I asked WHEN is your H/Rate under 100? Night?

It is YOUR RIGHT to reduce your dosage. I'll look up what the other is.

Cheri JOY

Unfortunately at anything over 100 it is doing damage to your heart. It remodels it.

JOY2THEWORLD49 profile image
JOY2THEWORLD49

Hi

No details.

I stopped mine 2.5mg in December.

Improved stamina and less stopped whilst walking.

But I remy on CCB Diltiazem to control heart rate. Always normally 47bpm Night Avg shown over 3 Heart Minitor test beforde Metopolol, after Bisoprolol and after starting Diltiazem CD.

Specialist at 2 years 3 months from my stroke - embolic, rapid and persistent AD and Thyroid Papillary Cancer.

No control of H/R on beta blockers. 186 on Metoprolol with breathless and pauses at night. Bisoprolol good with BP but 156bpm Day.

cheri JOY. (NZ). 76

solarjdo69 profile image
solarjdo69

I like others cannot tell you what to do, but I was prescibed 2.5mg Metropolo (similar drug) 2 x a day and felt low energy. I decided by myself to cut them in half using the built-in scribe mark so I take 1.25mg twice a day. Feel much better and my HR is usually 64-74 in AM after I wake and set down for coffee. Waveform as shown on my iPhone heart rate monitor is much more regular now too.

My cardiolgist wanted me to have an angioplasty after a CT scan showed I was pumping at about 40%. I said let me try something and we'll meet again in 5 months. I started taking my Drano (Cardio chelate with EDTA) Cleared up my arterial and capillaries. When I went to see him the first thing he said was John, you look good. He explained that my skin tone and such showed him that my circulatroy system was working much better than b4.

This is probably TMI, but the "little guy" has all the strength I recall when I was young. Also , my skin blemishes (pimples, break outs) have virtually dissappeared and I have some of the clearest skin I have ever had.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Bisoprolo

I have came off biso after being on it just a week, feel like a zombie when will I feel normal...
Harryboy profile image

Reducing bisoprolo

After been on bisoprolol for two years i found it making me breathless tired no energy and panicing...
Colin1314 profile image

Your tips to reduce palpitations?

Hi all, just wanted to ask if there are any tips to help my current situation please. I had a...

Beta Blockers vs. Calcium Channel Blockers - Which causes weight gain?

I have been on the beta blocker Carvedilol for several years now because of high blood pressure and...
mcpacs profile image

Change in PAF

Hi all. I've been a member for a long time and frequently read the posts on here. Fortunately I...
cicek profile image

Moderation team

See all
Emily-Admin profile image
Emily-AdminAdministrator
HollieAdmin profile image
HollieAdminAdministrator
Kelley-Admin profile image
Kelley-AdminAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.