What side effects have folk had while... - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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What side effects have folk had while on Bisoprolol?

28 Replies

Either yourselves of witnessed in loved ones especially those with complex medical conditions requiring other medications.

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28 Replies
Patjo profile image
Patjo

My hubby's side affects on bisoprolol were so bad that I got it changed for a different med. He had breathlessness , extreme fatigue, disturbed sleep with nightmares, very cold hands nd feet and terrible brain fog. Many people get on ok with it though.

in reply to Patjo

Mum has all of those but has been on it so long think the side effects may be permanent. Will ask her GP if she can change this med. Which med did you get instead.

Patjo profile image
Patjo in reply to

Nebivolol. The difference is incredible.

foxglove profile image
foxglove in reply to Patjo

I too have been swapped to nebivilol and notice a massive difference. I was on bisoprolol for about two years and like JR's Mum I feel side effects are taking a long time to cease!

foxglove profile image
foxglove in reply to

Hope side effects not permanent, I too have been worrying about this. However I have been on nebivilol for a bit now and think this is amazing compared with bisoprolol. Even if I have some residual side effects I think they are gradually going Good luck with getting a change. I also tried carvederol which didn't help

in reply to foxglove

That's encouraging :)

Kazzy60 profile image
Kazzy60

Hi, I have been on Bisoprolol for about a month now. I did suffer with very cold feet at first but this has gone now, I also a lot of breathlessness. My GP told me she doesn’t know why as none of my medications have breathlessness as a side effect? I have to go and see one of the GP’s on Thursday so they can listen to my lungs... she also told me... there are some side effects you just have to put up with!...My reply... “and there are some you don’t!”.. roll on Thursday..

in reply to Kazzy60

You will find GPs can be very ill informed: drugs.com/sfx/bisoprolol-si...

stevejb1810 profile image
stevejb1810

The usual - cold hands, runny nose, and ver occasionally, a bit dizzy if I stand up quickly. Nothing really major

GracieOS profile image
GracieOS

Fatigue is the main ongoing one. Recently my dose was upped and around that time I started having nightmares, never linked the two before, but all settled now.

45sue profile image
45sue

I dutifully took bisoprolol 2.5 for 1 year following my HA & hated the damped down/one degree under /brain fog feeling as well as feeling cold. At my annual review my GP agreed to my request to reduce it to 1.25 & I feel restored to my normal self -such a relief. I should add that I have made a good recovery & my ejection fraction is back within normal limits so only taking it as a preventative.

in reply to 45sue

Hi just seen your answer re Bisoprolol can I ask did you get any withdrawal problems dropping from 2.5mg to 1.25 and did you do it gradual or in one go.

Maisiemay13 profile image
Maisiemay13 in reply to 45sue

Hi I am on 2.5 and my resting HR is between 47/51 I am going to ask to reduce when I see consultant in June as I feel one degree under and suffer brain fog good to hear it worked for you 45sue

45sue profile image
45sue

GP said OK to reduce in one go & I have not had any ill effects -revived almost immediately .

The_Voice profile image
The_Voice

One of its functions is too keep your heart rate low and steady. Unfortunately, I think when I'm busy falling asleep, it drops a bit too low, and my body suddenly shocks itself back into life. I swear, it feels like my heart jumps in my chest! Very unnerving because I instantly go from sleepy to wide awake with my heart pounding. Have to wait for it calm down so I can drift of again. Happened twice last night.

The only thing I can compare it to is the feeling you get when your body suddenly jolts itself awake when you dream you're falling?

Sparkeybigshot1 profile image
Sparkeybigshot1 in reply to The_Voice

I’m getting similar symptoms. Waking at night heart pounding, wide awake for an hour till things calm down, then back to sleep. I’m taking 1.25 mg Bisoporol.

The_Voice profile image
The_Voice in reply to Sparkeybigshot1

I'm on the same dosage at the moment, and take it in the morning.

gokf profile image
gokf

Hi. I have really bad sleep problems and I have to take sleeping pills

Also runny nose. I have also taken Ramipril Nebivol and Soltalol and they all cause me problems with sleep. I find pharmacists are more knowledgeable than gps regarding medication.

I have got to come off Bisoprolol and the withdrawal is 10 times worse than ever being on it.

rimpac2012 profile image
rimpac2012

I too had numerous side effects. I really don't know why this drug seems to be the first one considered when there is clearly many people who have a poor experience and usually an improvement when put on an alternative. Needs to be looked into,

dunestar profile image
dunestar in reply to rimpac2012

The answer probably is that it's the cheapest.

Love100cats profile image
Love100cats

I've just changed from bisoprolol to Nebivolol and the difference is amazing. I had 18 months on bisoprolol and thought that was how I was going to be always but my b.p. got really low and forced the change to new meds which I take at night. I feel so much more alive!

in reply to Love100cats

I shall look at that alternative for Mum, thanks.

Psmithuk profile image
Psmithuk

When I complained about brain fog (awful memory, lack of concentration, lack of energy to think or do), my Heart Failure nurse suggested taking both tabs in the evening, instead of am and pm. I tried for a month, felt-so much better, brighter etc, but after a bit I got so short of breath that I went back to am and pm, followed by the brain fog. 🙁

Dempo profile image
Dempo

Been taking it for quite a few months now. The plus points are that I feel much less anxious in general, much more laid back about things (even being driven by my husband!) and I am having fewer angina attacks. The downside is that I feel exhausted all the time. I have no energy at all, and have to drag myself out of bed each day. I constantly feel that I am about to drop off to sleep. I have tried altering the timing, but not sure if it made any difference.

I too, have noticed the runny nose, and also I seem to look pale all the time, whereas before I had quite a bit of colour in my cheeks!

Thank you all for your replies. Hoping we will follow USA and come up with Personalised meds instead of one size fits all.

Glasgowgirl1947 profile image
Glasgowgirl1947

I have been on 1.25 for almost 12 months, I had my mitral and tricuspid valves repaired last March a week after discharge I went back for a check-up and was told I was in AF, I was put on the drug, for the past 12 months I have realised how ill I was before my op I had a lot more energy and was really happy but I have had a feeling that my nose is running all the time and this past week I'm suddenly VERY tired again, no energy, completely pooped. I don't kknow if this is the result of the drug could it have come on after this time. Has anyone experienced this?

in reply to Glasgowgirl1947

Hi seems quite a few have issues. Ask your Dr to change the med. Others here have suggested changing bisoprolol to Nebivolol - they have found very good improvement. You may also find this forum useful (refs to your issue): healthunlocked.com/afassoci...

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