Can you have a drink on bisoprolol?

[DanniC88]

Hi all, as the title suggests i was wondering if anyone has had a drink or 2 on bisoprolol. I take 2.5mg a day for fast heart rate, the leaflet and most websites suggest leaving alcohol alone but with Christmas coming it would be nice to have a toast. When i say 1 or 2 drinks i actually mean 1 or 2 with my lunch. Baileys or wine and lemonade thats all, im not a big drinker. 🎄🎄🎄

[Outforawalk]

I was on 5mg most of this year since HA in March, dropped to 2.5mg now. I have a few glasses of wine or a gin & tonic most weekends with no noticeable downsides.

[Ageingfast]

I didnt realize that no boozing was attached to Bisoprolol.I have some booze and i am still here. I am sure that moderation is the key.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

My cardiologist had no problem with me having a drink if I stay within the guidelines. At that time my heart medication included Bisoprolol, Lisinopril, Atorvastatin and Aspirin The reason I have not had a drink for six months is that I am on two very strong painkillers (both controlled drugs); one 8 hourly and the other on a PRN (pro re nata) basis. I would suggest you double check your personal situation with your GP.

[Hidden]

The issue with bisoprolol and alcohol is related to blood pressure: you can drink in moderation whilst on it, but the official advice from the NHS is to wait and see how your bp is before doing so.

nhs.uk/medicines/bisoprolol

Summarising the info available via the above link, bisoprolol lowers blood pressure, and adding alcohol can lower it even further, leading to dizziness and other symptoms. I didn’t drink anyway when I was on bisoprolol, but it caused me quite severe orthostatic hypotension and low bp issues (enough so that I woke up after 6am obs whilst in hospital once to find they’d put me on fluids because of how low my bp had been 😬), so odds are it wouldn’t have been a good combination for me personally. Other than when having bouts of OH, my low bp was almost entirely asymptomatic, but after the being put on fluids incident, we discovered it was quite routinely through the floor at certain points during the day.

The only other thing I’d say is be aware that alcohol is well known to raise heart rate and also increase ectopic heartbeats, so can trigger palpitations in those prone to those kinds of issues. I was a very light, occasional drinker for the last couple of years up until the start of this year, but when I had a drink, I did so knowing there was a 50/50 chance that my heart rate would jump and I’d have palpitations as a result.

[Thecyclist in reply to Hidden]

I'm on 7.5mg and find that alcohol set's off palpitations and a slight increase in heart rate. Did you find that a few days after a drink it was back to normal? I like to have a drink but like you am thinking its not becoming worth it as the resulting ectopics are terrible and make me feel crap at the time. Ironically they go away when having a drink, but come back in the night and the following day/s along with anxiety.

[Hidden in reply to Thecyclist]

Occasionally I’d be fine by the next morning, but it was more usual for it to settle down after a day or two, for me. Even only having a couple of drinks every few weeks, I’d just about come to the conclusion it wasn’t worth it before conveniently getting started on medication (non cardiac) where alcohol is an absolute no-no - the toddler in me initially threw a bit of a strop at being told by someone else I couldn’t have a drink, but it ultimately took the decision out of my hands, and I don’t miss it. I’d point out that the bisoprolol is irrelevant in my experience: I got palpitations combining alcohol and a calcium channel blocker, rather than bisoprolol, but there was also absolutely zero difference whilst having a drink and not on any medication at all. The bottom line is that it you’re prone to ectopics and tachycardia, you’re prone, and alcohol is medically known to make it worse irrespective of whether you’re on any medication, or what that medication is.

Every now and then I do think, oh wouldn’t it be nice to have a beer, particularly on a hot, sunny day, but then I remember how naff I used to feel if/when the palpitations kicked in and wonder why I didn’t stop by choice long before medication meant I had to 🤔🤷‍♂️

[Thecyclist in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Charlie, great reply, am on 10mg Amlodipine as well so it could be that too, although the Bisoprolol was for tachy/palps. Consultant didn't seem too concerned about drinking when I asked but obviously said take it easy.

I did a good few months last year not drinking over a spring and summer and didn't miss it too much, was easier than I thought, just missed that odd beer on a hot day or a Friday might. But did start having a few on the weekend which migrated to the odd week day as well. The palps seem worse in the winter for some reason.

I'll be having a couple over Christmas but taking it very easy but I am also coming to the conclusion it's probably not worth it. Thanks again for the reply. 👍

[Hidden]

I've been on bisoprolol nearly three years now and I have to admit I get plastered once a week.I work twelve hour shifts and exercise most days.So when I haven't got the grandchildren I like to unwind and get smashed.By the way I had a 5xcabg April 2018 and I intend to have a very merry Christmas.x

[Fluffybee in reply to Hidden]

Love your honesty 😂😂

[Darcy2000 in reply to Hidden]

I also love your honesty...

[Prada47 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Ravaging

I don't get smashed but I do drink 4x500ml cans of 5% lager in a sitting and I do enjoy it. I am on 7.5mg Bisoprolol along with Entresto, Statin, Eplerenone,. Aspirin. I am 73 so not saving my self for a long future !!!

Enjoy what you enjoy

Hands Face Space Vaccinate to stay safe

[Outforawalk in reply to Prada47]

There is definitely more room in the group for more out and out honesty.

[Maisywhippet in reply to Hidden]

Guess that’s a positive only live once ,so enjoy it attitude !,,😂 merry xmas🎄🍾🥃🍷🍹

[DanniC88]

Love it!!! 🤣🤣🤣

[Woollymum]

I've been on 2.5 mg for years and enjoy a small scotch and ginger. I stick to no more than 2 units of alcohol a day because I take warfarin and that was the advice from anti-coagulant clinic.

[DanniC88]

I did ask my consultant months and months ago and he said not to its not ideal really. Funny ive just been on the phone to the GP about a different thing, should of asked her but didnt think really 🙄🙄

[Qualipop]

Haven't had a drink in 30 years because I take a strong opiate painkilller. I admit just occasionally I really fancy a whiskey or a glass of sherry but it's rare and I just don't miss it.

[Motorman]

The dose for me is 5mg Bisoprolol, plus 10mg Ramipril, Tamsulosin, Dabigatran, Simvastatin, Lansoprazole, Felodipine, Montelukast, and a couple of others. I drink whisky, not more than two small ( 25ml or one unit) glasses. I consider whisky to be medicinal

[Thanksnhs]

Hi I never had any bother with a few glasses of wine whilst taking bisoperol, tis the season to be jolly 😀🎄I know everyone is different and it would depend on any other meds you are taking, take care and have a lovely Christmas char

[MountainGoat52]

Hi,

I'm on Bisoprolol, Losartan, Rosuvastatin and Aspirin and have a relatively low alcohol intake, maybe around 5 units on an average week. Some weeks it's zero. I had a triple bypass a couple of years ago. The only comments that I have received from medical staff is that my intake is "good". I have never been told that I shouldn't drink alcohol.

Personally, I find that a nice single malt or a pint of real ale does the world of good for my mental well being, especially at the moment when true pleasures are hard to come by. The effect on my BP and pulse rate is only transitory. All things in moderation I guess.

Regards,

Gerald

[Gundoglady]

I'm on bisoprolol, losartan and warfarin, I don't drink every day, but I do tend to have a few glasses of wine or prosecco most weekends, usually a Friday and Saturday evening, the nurse that does my INR has always said to be consistent, whether that's with foods or alcohol, so that's what I try and do x

[Outforawalk in reply to Gundoglady]

Can’t beat coming in from a days shooting and having a glass of something nice 😁

[Becksagogo]

I have to admit I am a scaredy cat where alcohol is concerned so choose not to bother. My BP is very low normally and I would hate for it to fall further.