Bisoprolol to Nebivolol: For those who... - British Heart Fou...

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Bisoprolol to Nebivolol

Dickydon profile image
15 Replies

For those who swapped Bisoprolol for Nebivolol 5mg, having experienced the breathlessness side effetct of Bisoprolol, how long was it before anyone noticed the change and no longer had the out if breath issues from taking Bisoprolol?

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Dickydon profile image
Dickydon
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15 Replies
Nathan53 profile image
Nathan53

Hello Dicky I swapped from bisoprolol to Nebivolol however my reason for swapping was I experiencing extreme fatigue on bisoprolol. The problem resolved within a few days. I know ticagrelor can cause you to feel short of breath but I opted not to explore changing this as it does seem to be the best anti platelet though there are others of course. Is your blood pressure ok - if it goes low at times you can feel light headed and dizzy etc and you may need dose adjusted. When do you feel short of breath is it on exertion at rest or both? If it stays troublesome maybe discuss with GP.

Dickydon profile image
Dickydon in reply to Nathan53

Thanks Nathan, reason why I’m on the tablets: had mild heart attack back in July and a pacemaker fitted in August, so that has corrected the heart rate going below 60bpm was one of the reasons for the PM because my heart rate was dropping to as low as 32bpm then the effects of faint and extreme breathlessness kicked in. So PM sorted anymore low heart rate issues but still get the out of breath with any kind of exercion. So I am hoping that changing my tablet to Nebivovol will sort that out as I’ve heard others trying it and sorting out their breathlessness issue out...

Nathan53 profile image
Nathan53 in reply to Dickydon

Pleased you have been able to sort out your low heart rate with the pacemaker. I can only suggest you query the breathlessness with GP if it's no better within a few more days. Good luck Dicky

Dickydon profile image
Dickydon in reply to Nathan53

Thanks. Was at GP’s yesterday where they changed the meds as per Cardiologists request. So I’ll give it a week or so, to see if there are any improvements after any kind of exertion when the breathlessness only happens.

66666 profile image
66666 in reply to Dickydon

Hi, I wondered how your meds turned out, I am going through the exact same thing at moment on day one of nebivovol. ???

Rosanna75 profile image
Rosanna75

Hi Dicky

I had same issues as you did with bisoporol. I suffer of athsma and bisoporol didn't go down really well. It caused me extreme shortness of breath.

The cardiologist changed for a different medication called diltiazem. It took I would say a week to resolve the issue but you can feel the imprivement of stopping the bisoporol in about 2 or 3 days already.

I also had to address the athsma with a different inhaler as you can imagine, it was a bit out of control.

Best wishes

Dickydon profile image
Dickydon in reply to Rosanna75

Thanks Rosanna, today will be day two, so let’s see how it goes.

Many thanks.

Lovetopaint-12 profile image
Lovetopaint-12

I am on Bisoprolol as well but I’m out of breath with the AF so can’t tell which causes it. I am extremely tired most of the time. I just came on here to discover if I have had an illusion as at 4am this morning I swear people were in my bedroom and the main bedroom light was on. People who know my key safe number can come in but that is usually an enablement person morning and evening. Scary. I live on my own.

Dickydon profile image
Dickydon

Bad dream by the sound of it. Thanks for your thoughts!

daisy2311 profile image
daisy2311

Hi Dickydon, I haven't swapped tablets but would be interested to hear the type of breathlessness issues you were having on bisoprolol. I'm on this medication currently and I asked for my cardiologist appt to be brought forward as I have sporadic issues where I feel there isn't enough air in my lungs and have to take big deep breaths to correct it. I want to know whether it is the medication or something else.

genteel profile image
genteel in reply to daisy2311

Hi daisy. I was diagnosed with heart failure in june last year and LVSD. I am on 10mg of bisoprolol and 10mg of ramipril. I also have many occassions of the need to take deep breaths as if i cannot get any more air in my lungs, even just sitting or lying down. My last ejection fraction reading in october last year was 43% and the cardiologist gave me a range of between 40-45%. I dont understand why i would get breathless like this. It does get very depressing too as i wonder if it will ever get better. I was on 5mg bisoprolol for 10 years but never felt breathless. The cardiologist didnt mention anything to do with the meds, just told me to exercise to improve heart conditioning but breathing peoblem is still there. Did you see your cardiologist yet? Regards genteel

daisy2311 profile image
daisy2311 in reply to genteel

Hi genteel, thanks for your reply. No, I haven't seen cardiologist yet...I'm seeing him in a couple of weeks. I personally think it is the medication but I think the GP keeps using anxiety as an excuse which I know it isn't as I know myself.

genteel profile image
genteel in reply to daisy2311

I agree about the anxiety excuse daisy. The GP also suggested that with me months ago but although i am sure we all have a degree of anxiety with our heart issues, this type of breathing is different to that. Please keep i touch and let me know how you get on.

daisy2311 profile image
daisy2311 in reply to genteel

I will...I do have anxiety but kept it hidden from the GP as I knew as soon as it ended up on my record, I would feel that I wouldn't be taken seriously again. That was until I saw a great GP who asked me directly about anxiety and I ended up in floods of tears. In any case, although the GP said it could be anxiety (which I know it isn't as I know myself), she also said that she suspects the medication and got me a Cardiology appt quickly so can't complain!

Dickydon profile image
Dickydon in reply to daisy2311

Hi daisy2311, the breathlessness only seems to occur when I do any physical exertion: be it bending ove to do my boot laces up or walking upstairs, carrying load of shopping and so on... this is a gasp for breath. It all started when I initially had my first HA last June/July. Then I was fitted with a pacemaker that has corrected any beats per min, going below 60bpm so no more dizzy faint spells, but I still have the breathless issue. I’m not sure if it’s the Bisoprolol causing it, if I initially had it when I had the HA. Giving it the next ten days, if no improvement I’m going back to cardiologist.

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