Hello,
You may remember I made a post about struggling on bisoprolol. The doctors have lowered my dose as it’s been making me feel quite unwell. I just wanted to ask what alternatives are out there and which ones seem to be tolerated the most by people? I have cardiomyopathy, I’m 25 and I have low blood pressure at the best of times due to my weight/nutrition issues! I tolerated atenolol great for 10 years but recently it didn’t seem to be controlling things as well.
morning. I’m no Dr so can only speak of my own experience. Bisoprolol made me breathless as it exacerbated my asthma. They then prescribed Propanolol but that was awful too. I’m now on 13mg of Carvedilol daily and that works a treat for me. Sometimes it really is trial and error to find the right combination of medication to suit all your health conditions. Good luck.
I have had breathlessness too, they’ve now halved my dosage but to be honest I think I’ll most likely ask to change or go back to atenolol if this doesn’t work. I have muscular dystrophy so feeling unwell with my heart makes everything else 10x harder! Thank you for your reply!
not sure how long you have been on it for but it’s a nasty drug to come off of. Wean off gradually.
If you’re switching to a sister drug - Carvedilol in my case - you shouldn’t need to wean off the Biso.
Hi, I’ve been on it for 4 months, 2 days ago they halved my dosage but I’m still not feeling like my old self! During my next review I think I will ask to either go back to atenolol or see an alternative! Thank you both for your replies!
Two days isn’t long enough to notice a difference, it will take a couple of weeks. But you may still not feel “back to your old self”. If not, then is the time to try something else xx
You could try half in morning and half at night, or total at night. I couldn’t tolerate it.
They have knocked me from 2.5mg twice a day down to 1.25mg twice a day. I still don’t feel amazing, during me next review I think I will ask to go back to atenolol or try something new!
I've seen a few struggle with getting off bisoprolol, I was on Metroprolol for 10yrs, then cardiologist decided to put me on Bisoprolol. I spent a year on it, gp refused to change it. Finally after seeing cardiologist for yearly review, he put me back on Metroprolol grudgingly. No weaning, just changed no worries. My main gripe with Bisoprolol was being freezing, even during summer, here in Australia, we get hot. I've never been one to wear warm clothes even in winter. I have become more sensitive to medications, so no idea why I didn't have a problem with change over. Hope all goes well and you find what works for you. Be guided by professionals but also speak out. Take care. Moni
Yes I’m always freezing! I think that’s what keeps making me feel rough, low blood pressure as I’m only tiny! They’ve halved my dose now but I still don’t feel amazing, think I will ask to change when I go back to see them! Thank you for your reply!
Bisopolol gave me severe carpel tunnel which lead to operations-ask to be switched to channel blockers for A Fib-the warning is in the common side effectt
I was on 50mg twice a day, now same dosage of metopolol. But most of my heart medication is highest dose. Took about 3 mths for me to warm up after the change. Take care. Moni
Thank you! I hope I get it sorted soon and feel better! X
I could only stand that drug for 21 days at which point they took me off because I simply couldn’t function. My blood pressure disappeared through the floor and I pulse at rest was under 40.
I can believe it, I’m struggling to function on it! I definitely think I’ll ask to change, my old one wasn’t perfect but at least I could function and didn’t feel like this! It’s rubbish isn’t it!
I watched a talk the other day on the Cardiomyopathy UK website from Prof Carr-White. He recommended Nebivolol as an alternative beta blocker which he says is better tolerated by most people!
Thank you very much for this, this was one of the medications suggested instead of this one. I was unsure whether to go back on atenolol or try Nebivolol. It is reassuring to hear it is better tolerated by most x
I think that you are very young and should not make any decisions until you have had time to research your situation . I know it is difficult time for you, but it helps to know what is happening to your body.
When you have done that, you will be able to ask your GP/doctors the correct questions to help you take better control of your life.
best ones I am on after having loads of beta blockers over years, is carvidolol.
forgot to say I am on about 80mg of carvidolol per day.
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