I take a bisoprolol daily since hospital admission in 2022
I raised my concerns over the strength of 5mg - a year ago; I saw my resting heart rate was in low 50s at night ; the reviewer poo poo d my concerns so I ended up splitting the dose. I split the 5 mg tablet in 2 and these days my resting rate is in the low-mid 60s
Last week - another review; I explained I wanted my prescription altered to 2.5 mg ; I was told that wasn’t possible. So now I have a stockpiles of Bisoprolol that I go through splitting each day.
I thought medication reviews were supposed to listen. I m not happy really as splitting isn’t ideal
Paul
Written by
TheBoys
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Hi, was it a review with a pharmacist at your surgery or a GP?I ask as a pharmacist told me I couldn't have my medication upped as was having side effects with it being halved (Lansaprazole) So I saw my GP and it was given back to full dose again.
Ps I was on 2.5mg of Bisoprolol which was halved to 1.25mg so I don't understand why they said it wasn't possible either.
Is there any chance you could try to get in to see a GP? I know a lot of people seem to rate their GP's pharmacist, however mine I'd rather not see as diagnosed me with Asthma which I don't actively have, it's COPD and causes no symptoms, it seems it's the heart and medication that caused the problem. There are alternatives to bisoprolol. Also a gp can order bloodtests to check everything is ok too which mine did too when I had a problem with a higher dose. However it did not make me tired it made me faint and my heart rate and BP too low.Please let us know how you get on and I hope things improve for you quickly 🤞
Bisoprolol is available in 2.5 and 1.25. I had to get the lowest dose as I had too many adverse effects. Cramping (severe at night) worsening claudication. High dose couldn't sleep and my skin dried out so very badly, Stopped taking per cardiologist advise and now getting a second opinion. This is through the NHS. It is possible to do this in the UK you just have to persist.
I had a balloon angioplasty in 2022 due to a blockage and angina and I have been on 5 mg since then. I have tried splitting them because I have so many side effects however my BP rises to around 130/90 from 117/78 however my BPM stay at 56. I have left a message for the Cardiologist to ask if this is ok as my GP thought it would better to check with him first. Oh and don't get me started on the statins side effects!
Atorvastatin? I had to get GP to stop it. Not only was it causing leg and feet pain/cramps, turns out was causing it in arms and shoulder too and I'd been using GTN thinking it was angina. Had 3 weeks off it and it's more or less gone, now the last 3 days been on Rosuvastatin and getting them again since yesterday.
I am in the same situation except I take Ezitimbe with Atorvastatin. The GP has now prescribed Rosuvastatin too. If it continues what is next? How many can we try? The GP mentioned an injection twice a year however I am not sure about that. I also heard about an acid (began with a B I think) that is supposed to be good.
Hi, yes I had to stop the rosuvastatin last Wednesday too, had a blood test taken by gp same day he wanted to check my liver. However bloods should have been done when Atorvastatin was stopped before I was put on Rosuvastatin but it was done via phone consultation. Not one bit impressed. Luckily I saw gp who knew me pretty well and he did blood test there n then. I've heard nothing so I'm going to ring tomorrow see if results are back. Have been given ezitimibe now but have to wait atleast a week. Are you now on both Atorvastatin and Rosuvastatin? I've never heard of two different Statins being given at the same time before, I've heard Ezitimibe being prescribed with a statin though. Please let us know how you go on with everything and I hope the side effects do settle down for you
I just took myself off it and felt much better. Do need to tell GP at some point though. My resting heart rate got done to about 37 at times. Felt dreadful. Also I used to have a1.25g dose so you can get less than 5
I just took myself off it and felt much better. Do need to tell GP at some point though. My resting heart rate got done to about 37 at times. Felt dreadful. Also I used to have a1.25g dose so you can get less than 5
Gosh!!I hope you will be ok in the long run..I hope you do let your GP know. Some people do.have unfortunate side effects from.some medications but bisoprolol is a very imortant medication and is prescribed for good reason. I've had 3 heart attacks and a double cabg and would never think of just stopping any of my heart medications. We are all different though and I hope you will be ok
Hi I Habe had one stent and no heart attack. I will go back to GP to check. Late last year went back to a and e as had some chest pain. Basically I was told nothing wrong. saw a consultant last year and he said he thought I was on top much medication and should lool to come off beta blockers and nitrates
I was put on bisoprolol 2.5mg after AF last year,my pulse went down to 50, the gp split my dose into 1.25mg twice a day,but my pulse was still low making me dizzy so I have 1 25mg once a day and ok on that,there are other heart meds,your consultant should help,
I am on 5mg bisoprolol and have been for quite some time. A while back the then pharmacist issued me with 2.5 mg and said to take them morning g and night as this would 'spread out' side effects. Since then I have been issued with 5mg again and have split them myself and will continue to do so.0
hi I’m taking 12.5 a day at night as it makes me very tired and lightheaded if I stoop down I used to spit it but the hospital suggested I take it all at night
I split mine at 2.5 mg 2 times a day after telling my cardiologist that it was making me get dizzy spells. I still have to be careful to not get up too quickly from a lying or sitting position, but that's no big deal.
Resting HR in the low 50s! Pish! Mine is in the low 40s! That's actually totally normal for someone on a higher dose of Bisoprolol. And when I was young and doing a lot of endurance training it was around 48 without medication.
I do think that your cardiologist might agree to try a split dosage, at least. (I have gotten enough conflicting medication advice from pharmacists that I prefer to defer to my cardiologist, who knows my health history and records)
Mine is of the opinion that I should be trying to take as much strain off my heart as possible, up to the limit of Bradycardia (abnormally low HR). I do have fatigue from time to time, but I put that down to aging, not getting enough sleep and potentially some side effect of medication. My tolerance for side effects is pretty high, though.
I had exactly the same and my GP split mine so I take one in the morning and one in the evening. I'm much better that way. Be firm you have the right of choice!
I take 5mg in morning and last year was put on to 5mg at night which my dr reduced to 2.5mg at night due to blood pressure going too low. They now prescribe both 5mg and 2.5mg tablets.
My heart rate often goes below 50 for a short time during day when resting or at night but cardiologist said as long as I’m not feeling dizzy etc that’s fine.
all these comments about asking GP..Pharmacist… Cardiologist….I find it impossible to have ANY communication either direct or indirect!I am on Bisoprol 3.75 in the Morning ….is that good or bad?PS good job checked my posting spell check had changed Bisoprol to Bisexual ..put an whole different slant on my post!
Interested to know why you are concerned about BPM being low 50’s the lower your heart rate is better for your heart. Mine is low 50’s on 2.5mg, I have to be careful if getting up quickly and feel tired but have just accepted. My heart rate at night is in the 40’s.
I'm in a similar pickle. Have been on Bisoprolol 5mg x 2 but recently diagnosed with bradycardia (heart rate as low as 37) and nocturnal heart block. I have cut the dose down to 2.5mg twice a day with no ill effects but am speaking to a GP tomorrow and hopefully will come off the things altogether.
I split the 2.5 biso..because even that dosage at once is too much...so you need to feel good and obviously by splitting the pill you do...so continue that..and best of luck
My consultant gives me 2.5mg tablets. I am on 5mg dose and only way I can tolerate it is after food. So in agreement with consultant I have one 2.5mg tablet after breakfast and one 2.5mg tablet after my evening meal. Its fine, but do get occasional light headedness and dizzy spells, slightly blurry eyes on occasion. Its a tough tablet to increase and tolerate but the benefits for me with a low EF 20 - 25% are good, I also have an ICD so it helps stop dangerous VT which I have had one with my device kicking in and now awaiting ablation. It also lowers my heart rate to 65 in the day when moving about and low 50's at rest. This is fine I am told as otherwise quite fit. It gives me more confidence with my health to live a normal life even with my condition hanging over me mentally.
Hi There, your story sounds fanatical! I was recently started on Bisoprolol at the lowest dose possible, 1.25mg to allow time for suitabilty and adjustment.(So far so good).
It seems this tablet remains illusive to many, as my consultant told me it was to increase my heart rate, yet all the reviews say the opposite! In fact my pharmacist told me it will reduce my HR even further not increase it! I am not to worry as long as it does not regularly go below 40 b/min.
So was I told the oppossite to get me to take it???
I've never heard of a beta blocker being prescribed to raise heart rate before it's nearly always given to lower it. I was given it to slow heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Bisoprolol 
Bisoprolol withdrawal 
Bisoprolol
Bisoprolol
Bisoprolol 
