Bisoprolol Itch

Does anyone else get an itch with bisoprolol and if so can you call it with anything?

Skinnymalinky

[Chappychap]

Yes, I often get an infuriating but inaccessible itch right right between my shoulder blades!

I suspect, but of course don't know, that it's a side effect of my heart medication.

Basically I grin and bear it, but I'll keep a little stick by my bedside in case I'm woken with an itch that's tricky to reach!

Working on the basis that, in the scheme of things, such minor annoyances (and I include things like the "Ramipril cough" in this category) are a small price to pay for a drug that may be preventing a stroke or even worse.

When thinking about side effects I try and keep three facts front of mind.

Firstly, in formal drug trials, where a control group is given an inert and harmless sugar pill as a "placebo", then about 30% of the control group taking this sugar pill will normally complain of some side effect or other. Which of course is a complete nonsense, the placebo pill they're taking is totally inert, so it can't cause any side effects whatsoever. Bottom line is that a lot of "side effects", no matter how real they may feel, are actually just in our heads.

Secondly, the best estimates in the UK are that about half of all the medication prescribed never actually gets taken. And even with the most serious illnesses this only drops to about 30%. Consequently doctors are very concerned that patients will simply stop taking medication unless they're completely happy with it, so they will go overboard to find alternatives. But here's the rub, they'll do this even if they suspect the alternative isn't quite as effective, because their reasoning is that it's better the patient takes a sub optimal drug than completely refuses the very best drug.

Thirdly, and building on the last point, there are some cases where doctors who personally suffer from heart problems, have written of how they've dealt with the experience. I've been struck that they tend to put up with side effects more willingly than the general population. So if doctors are being so stoical I reckon it really is in our best interests to just soldier on and take the meds prescribed.

Good luck!

[Hidden in reply to Chappychap]

Thank you so much for such a comprehensive reply.

[Lezzers in reply to Chappychap]

Excellent explanation