Bisoprolol side effects: blocked ear/ eustachian tube

[Warm-heart]

Hello, this is to do with ear related side effects of Bisoprolol amongst other side effects! Does anyone else have a blocked eustachian tube due to this drug, which is proving impossible to clear, even with steroid nasal sprays. Also general inflammation: red face flushing, red ear lobes etc. (This all in addition to insomnia). Trying to reduce the drug now, which is prescribed for Atrial Fibrillation as the side effects are intolerable after 3 months taking 2.5mg twice daily, it is no life at all... Thank you for any advice, I found the thread on reducing bisoprolol really helpful! - am new here.

[Motorman]

I have recently been able (under the direction of my GP) to reduce my bisoprolol from 7.5 mg to 2.5 mg. I had various side effects including sinus congestion face flushing etc. The problem is you can never be sure what is actually the cause of the side effects, all I know is, I feel very much better on 2.5mg and my heart seems happy and I will strongly resist any attempts to increase the bisoprolol dose. I have also had my indapamide swopped for felodipine two months later, and now feel I am on a good ( for me) combination. I suggest a conversation with your GP and ask if there are any suitable alternatives, blocked tubes are not fun. Especially if you are a bit deaf ( like me) .

Motorman

[Warm-heart in reply to Motorman]

Thank you - that is very helpful to know there is someone out there suffering similarly. It makes sleep impossible as the blockage feels 'suffocating' and means lying down is not on, and have to rest upright in a chair at night. Months of lack of sleep (in addition to the insomnia caused by Bisoprolol anyway) is taking a terrible toll. Did you find the congestion cleared and flushing went away (it is like hot flushes) when you ceased the Bisoprolol?

[Motorman in reply to Warm-heart]

I haven't stopped bisoprolol completely but have reduced them to 2.5 mg from 7.5mg. Yes the congestion is much better, and no flushing as yet. I still get a bit of fluid moving in my ears but I can live with that. I am sleeping much better, ( the higher dose gave me strange dreams and I woke up a lot) so all in all much improved.

[Warm-heart in reply to Motorman]

Thank you so much. Yes also reduced to 2.5 mg now from 5mg over the last 2 weeks. How long did it take for your sinuses & congestion to clear to the level you now find much better? May I ask if you are taking bisoprolol for atrial fibrillation as well? Also, did you actually try any steroid nasal spray - none of which seem to be working - and did any bring relief? Sorry so many questions, but this is really helpful.

[Motorman in reply to Warm-heart]

My sinuses slowly cleared up over a few weeks, I suppose roughly in line with the reducing doses, I went 2 weeks at 5mg then 2 weeks at 3.5 mg then onto 2.5mg. I tried a couple of sprays and they worked, but I was advised that they should not be used long term so I stopped. I now use a salt nose wash, I use the palm of my hand to hold the saline mixture and inhale it in the shower, it can be messy! I am taking bisoprolol for blood pressure and atrial fibrillation, I had a cardioversion which worked so the GP decided I would be OK reducing the dose. As you know reducing bisoprolol must be under the direction of a doctor, it can be dangerous if you stop suddenly.

[Warm-heart in reply to Motorman]

Thank you very much!

[Lyndaloo494]

Your post caught my eye regarding ear. I've had a very odd feeling in my ear a wee while now, almost like a ringing. Also a bit pain over cheekbone. I was going to get nurse to check, incase wax. I've been on 2.5mg of Bisoprolol about 8 months now so wonder if to do with that 🤔 interesting.

[gladliz]

I've been on 5mg of Bisoprolol twice a day for 8 years for paroxysmal atrial fibrulation with no apparent side effects. I say no apparent as recently I have been having the 'hot flushes' and night sweats. As I am well past the menopause I don't think that is the cause but I did have a fallopian tube removed last year. Also deaf in one ear which I put down to wax but due to Covid cannot get appt for syrnging. Perhaps it has taken time for these reactions to appear, but your post has got me thinking that it might be worth trying to get a Drs opinion on the matter. Fortunately insomnia has not been a side effect, staying awake has been more of a problem but that could be due to other factors including medication. I have always had vivid dreams but even they seem to be more intense. Strange isn't it, perhaps I am now experiencing delayed side effects.

[Qualipop in reply to gladliz]

You should be able to get your ears syringed now. I had mine done he minute our ENT opened about 2 months ago after losing my hearing completely.

[Warm-heart in reply to Qualipop]

Thank you - I know for certain it is not wax as I went to a private ear clinic to have them looked at. It is definitely full eustachian tubes. The ear canal is clear and healthy. But I can see now this is not an uncommon issue to have sinus issues & blocked eustachian tube with bisoprolol. I was totally fine re ears beforehand.

[Qualipop in reply to Warm-heart]

Well I'm no longer on bisopralol so I can't blame that. I had a complete vacuum in the eustachian tubes so there was no sound at all. GP thinks it's the drainage from ear to nose that's blocked rather than the sinuses. I certainly don't fancy a sinus wash. I Just have a constant feeling of pressure . My ears don't pop but my hearing goes weird ( what bit I have)

[Warm-heart in reply to gladliz]

Yes it took about 3 months before the ear issues showed up, and flushing came on before this, after about 1 month. But at first it was other side effects like nausea which wore off. I imagine it is an inflammatory response to the drug in my body causing the flushing and ear issues. So yes it can take time for these reactions to appear. That makes it all the harder to recognise it as the drug side effects doesn't it! And then the cardiologist says it is nothing to do with the bisoprolol which makes things harder still, and so it is really nice to have validation here.

[Danceawaytheblues]

I am another ear `sufferer`. I have been told that I need a mastoidectomy due to problems. Regular 3 month suctions on my ear have kept my inflammation under control, with Covid these have now stopped. I am also on Bisoprolol 2.5 and have not noticed any difference since starting the medication. Fingers crossed it stays this way.

[MikeBB]

Yes. Identical problem. Including an infection as I was misusing cotton buds! Note. Don’t use cotton buds! I got referred to ENT which was nice as I got antibiotics, and a lecture on cotton buds. Don’t use them, btw.

However, it seems ENT didn’t think there was any connection between my nasal and ear related issues and Bisoprolol. Cardiologist didn’t think so either.

I stopped Bisoprolol- the ear problems and runny nose stopped.

[Warm-heart in reply to MikeBB]

Thank you - that is encouraging. 1 GP said the ear problems would not go and I'd have to live with it, which was not what you want to hear.... unable to lie down at night and sleep because of it. So this is good news, gives hope it will clear up as I reduce bisoprolol or even come off it. May I ask what you were given it for - my situation is atrial fibrillation + valve issue. Did you go onto an alternative medication after stopping the bisoprolol?

[gokf]

I am very interested about the ear problems, I have a condition, wet ear which I thought was caused by a virus 2 years ago. I gave been on Bisoprol but I am now on Soltalol. My ears try very wet, then get blocked up,which I thought was eczema. I do suffer with wax as well. I have AF and a dilated cardiomyopathy and gave had an ablation and 2 cardioversions.

[Goldfish7]

I dont know if its related to Bisoprolol but yes I had/have a blocked eustachian tube in one ear. While still On bisoprolol. Off now as had lots of side effects and a sort of sucesxful ablation. Still a lot of heart issues.

[Warm-heart in reply to Goldfish7]

Thank you everyone for your replies in this helpful thread. I want to ask the GP when speaking with him this week for an alternative beta blocker to try. Does anyone recommend one/ can they tell me what they switched over to, that does not cause ear issues. It is impossible to live both with this horrible ear pressure/ blockage plus complete insomnia...

[organiclady]

Hooray I have found others with same complaint. Started Bisoprolol in February for AF. Runny nose, loss of taste and smell and then deaf in one ear. Horrible echo sound when I talk and blocked feeling in ear. It is listed as contraindication in Bisoprolol leaflet, so checked with Cardiologist and he had never heard of it. I have requested changing tablets as I am heartily sick with blowing my nose and saying "please repeat that" when people speak to me. Using a Netipot to wash out nose with Himalayan Salt solution, have tried steroid nasal spray for short term use not very successfully. Use a Humidifier at night and an Air Purifier during day, am thinking of taking up drinking as I am getting fed up with this (only joking). This is coupled with also being diagnosed with Bronchiectasis which leaves me breathless and lacking in energy. I cannot believe that I was a healthy, active person a few months ago. Have never had to take tablets before now and am seriously thinking if it is worth the hassle and am looking for an alternative.

[Warm-heart in reply to organiclady]

I totally agree with you - I was much better before taking Bisoprolol with all the ghastly side effects and no sleep now for 3 months is killing me as well as the blocked ear which means I cannot lie down and have to snatch rest in a chair. No life. It has however controlled my AF.

On the basis that others here have swopped successfully to Nebivolol which hasn't got the side effects that I'm plagued by, I am asking my GP tomorrow if I can try the latter instead. I am not sure he would agree without the Cardiology consultant agreeing it first. But my Cardiologist says my insomnia and ear are not due to Bisoprolol. I have been so glad to get validation here and intend to mention this to my GP - that these are known side effects that others suffer on the BHF site.

[organiclady]

Read the leaflet that comes with the bisoprolol tablets and you will see in the rarer contraindications that hearing and runny nose is listed. You can show her/him the proof.

[Warm-heart]

Thank you! Yes I mentioned this as well as conversations on this site about bisoprolol commonly having these side effects and nebivolol being an alternative many switch to with success (eliminating ear problems and insomnia and flushing). He was happy that after 4 months of 'no life' on bisoprolol I give nebivolol a try, so will start today or tomorrow. Glad of all the support here and validation. I feared he would object without the cardiology consultant's permission but he was happy for me to try it and I am so relieved! I did have a 3 week period of terrible restlessness whilst slowly reducing my bisoprolol but am finding I can't reduce any more (down from 5 mg to 1.25mg now) without my AF returning so nebivolol will hopefully be the answer! I will start with 1.25 mg of nebivolol, so will need to cut the 5 mg tablets in 1/4's.

Thank you everyone for your support.

[genorm]

Hi,

I am late to this very interesting thread. Never before, until taking Bisoprolol, did I suffer with sinus problems and never linked the two. I maybe should have done! For the past few months I have had awful earache and ringing. I have been trying saline sprays, steam treatment and facial contortions to little effect. The surgery nurse gave nasal spray, no good. I have even been to the dentist as the pain is very close to my teeth/jaw. Still not sure what it is, most likely have to return to GP - only doing phone consults!

Would you say that the earache from a blocked eustachian tube could be like a toothache type of pain?

Thank you for reading. Hope you are feeling better too.

[Warm-heart in reply to genorm]

Hi there, sorry to hear you are suffering too. I came off the bisoprolol slowly tapering it down, gradually the congested ear and sinuses stopped. A blocked eustachian tube is weird, it feels like something behind the ear but can refer pain into the jaw and feel like toothache. Basically sensations all around the ear lobe can be linked I'd say! Sinus issues for sure came with the bisoprolol. The blockage was so bad I could not lie down as it would worsen and felt quite suffocating. Odd how these ear and sinus issues came on slowly after a couple of months on it. Insomnia also went on stopping. However, my issue is atrial fibrillation and mitral valve prolapse, and though I've started on Nebivolol now, after 2 days on it my AF is not being controlled and is at a scary stage now of irregular beat all the time. So until I can talk to my GP again or cardiologist I've reluctantly had to restart the bisoprolol at a tiny dose today, and quit the nebivolol, so at least my AF is under control again. It feels more important to control my AF rather than anything else right now unfortunately. But I hope there is a solution out there for AF! To diagnose the ear issue, I went to a private ear clinic, and they could see it was a blocked eustachian tube. Like you, no sprays or inhalations worked, and I have tried many!

[genorm]

Thank you for your helpful response. I will have to resolve this ear/teeth/jaw/sinus pain sooner than later. It is horrid. I am an AF merchant too, so it is a fine balance, isn't it just. Best wishes for you to keep it under control.

[Warm-heart]

Thank you. Will you let me know how you get on and if you find an alternative, if you are ok to do so? I am still on the hunt for something to replace Bisoprolol that controls my AF heart. Restarted 0.75mg of Bisoprolol today and my ear congestion came right back, rather depressingly... But I decided heart safety is more important, it is how to balance that with a life not dogged by debilitating side effects.

[Hippiechic63]

HiOnly just seen this, see my post. I have the same problem