bisoprolol giving anxiety attacks - British Heart Fou...

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bisoprolol giving anxiety attacks

Calopo20 profile image
13 Replies

Hello everyone!

i started taking bisoprolol for pvc’s 2 years ago. But now i have a feeling I’ve become intolerant to it. I’ve been waking up nauseous, anxious and constantly getting adrenaline rushes. I tried stopping and i felt good, but on the 3rd day i got another panic attack probably a withdrawal symptom? Anyone else had these experience?

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Calopo20 profile image
Calopo20
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13 Replies

Dear Calopo20

A warm welcome to you and your first post, I hope that you find the forum supportive and informative as I and many others have.

Time to be told off, DO NOT PLAY AROUND WITH YOUR MEDICATION, unless you are under the instructions of your Cardiologist/Dr to do so.

It is possible { as with all medication } that you are becoming intolerant to it , but that is for your Dr/Cardiologist to look into , please don't just stop any prescribed medication, you could be doing more damage than good.

Just because the side effects may go away doesn't mean that your problem is getting better it could be masking it getting worse.

There are a lot of alternatives of this drug { once your side effects have been connected to it } that you can try.

Remember you are not alone and we are certainly here to help you.

Take care and please keep us informed

Please see a doctor about your symptoms instead of changing your medication - it may be unrelated or there may be something they can offer instead.

But to answer the question, yes suddenly coming off beta blockers can give the reaction you are describing... it will cause adrenaline to act on the heart and cause symptoms similar to a panic attack.

I can't say what caused your anxiety before stopping the beta blockers - but please do check in with a doctor in case there's something else going on.

jerry12953 profile image
jerry12953

I was told i could stop taking bisoprolol very quickly after I told my GP I seemed to be getting side-effects. He didn't need absolute proof. There are alternatives to Bisoprolol so ask to be given one!

Chantelle9788 profile image
Chantelle9788 in reply tojerry12953

are you off bisoprol now? How did you find coming off? I’m trying to tapering off now and bp has increased and hr, feels anxious too

jerry12953 profile image
jerry12953 in reply toChantelle9788

My GP prescribed 2.5mg as a trial for a month and when I told him I was getting dizzy spells, he said I could stop taking it. So I did! No withdrawal symptoms. My cardiologist put me on Amlodipine instead and I'm now on Diltiazem. GP's and even specialists do their best but they can't know how a particular medication is going to affect different individuals. Personally I don't treat them as all-knowing for that reason......

I see you're on 1.25mg - that is a very low dose.

Chantelle9788 profile image
Chantelle9788 in reply tojerry12953

you was lucky then, I have echocardiogram on Saturday coming up so will see what happens then

jerry12953 profile image
jerry12953 in reply toChantelle9788

It's not a matter of luck. It's a matter of taking control of your own health. There are plenty of side-effects stories about Bisoprolol on here.

Joolebot profile image
Joolebot

I was on bisoprolol for almost 2 years on and off and developed an intolerance to it, I am now on medication that suits me and my condition better.

Please speak with your medical professional before coming off any medication. They will find alternatives. You may also have developed another condition. Good luck x

Calopo20 profile image
Calopo20 in reply toJoolebot

what kind of side effects did you get? What med are you on now? I’m on metoprolol now, and it’s a bit better.

Henri33 profile image
Henri33

I am not sure I can help you as I take mine to slow down a fast arrythmic heart beat. I only take 2.5mg twice per day and you don't say how much you are taking.

Is it a lot more than 2.5mg per time?

My problem is that it lowers my blood pressure to worrying levels (86/47 is not unusual). I have a pacemaker fitted and the bisoprolol is supposed to slow down the heart beat so the pacemaker can speed it up. I am shortly to have an ablation when I might be able to stop taking the bisoprolol.

All I can suggest is that you have your blood pressure and heart rate checked out.

Best wishes

Henri33

Calopo20 profile image
Calopo20 in reply toHenri33

I’ve been only taking 1.25mg. Has always helped prevent arrhythmia. Don’t know why my body is rejecting it atm, and my blood pressure and hr is normal.

pirita7 profile image
pirita7

Hi Calopo 20 …I’ve been on Bisoprolol for 18 months and have not had any side effect at all. Started on 5mg now on 2.5mg once a day. After having Pacemaker fitted 16 month ago.

Advice ….go back and see your consultant for a review. Best of luck.

Chantelle9788 profile image
Chantelle9788

how did you stop? Did you taper? I’m trying to taper now and feel really anxious I know this is guna be a rough ride

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