Withdrawal from 1.25mg ? Help...

[Bisoman]

So I've been told I can stop my bisoprolol 1.25mg that I have taken for inappropriate sinus tachy since February however I do have bad anxiety too so not easy for me to come off this medication even on the lowest dose. Been told I can halve it if needed however I've read you cannot half a long acting beta blocker when there is no cut line because it can all go into your system at once? Told the only way to stop is to take one day and not the next and repeat for a week then once every three days for a week then stop...I tried one day off and by the afternoon my resting hr was sitting at 160 so I had to take one to stop it climbing higher. Anyone help or gotten off this drug safely. My biggest worry is trying coming off and something bad happen to my heart.

Just to clarify my echo and other tests have not picked up anu heart issues or problems just told I have a fast heart rate mostly caused by anxiety.

[PadThaiNoodles]

Two thoughts:

I've heard of others being prescribed a few benzos to take as needed when coming off. Might be something to talk to your GP about.

Secondly, was your general anxiety level better when you were on them than it was before you started taking them? Both my daughters are on propranolol (another beta blocker) for anxiety. Neither one has any heart issues.

[Bisoman in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

Propononol made me severely breathless. I would have liked to have stayed on them as you can take as and when you like but wasn't to be. I will ask my pharmacist maybe to see if I can get more support to wean off them

[Jalia]

Speak to your GP. Maybe you can stay on Bisoprolol?? It's a very low dose.

[Identiy in reply to Jalia]

If you were doing well on it, why stop it.

A friend of mine was on it at a bigger dose for many year without any issues

[Bisoman in reply to Jalia]

It's making me feel breathless most days

[Jalia in reply to Bisoman]

It looks like you need to speak to your GP fir other treatment for your anxiety. It's a very real problem and a case of finding out what's best for you.

Good luck

[PadThaiNoodles in reply to Jalia]

FWIW, I get significant relief from SSRIs, and I also found CBT quite helpful. There are lots of treatment options.

[Ewloe]

i have used a pill cutter to reduce my bisoprolol. Even when they didn’t have a groove. If the pieces were reasonably similar size I’d take 1 piece one day then the one the next. Good luck

[Bisoman in reply to Ewloe]

But it's long release surely you can't do that if no cut line?

[Suzyh]

I was on the same dose and came off with no problems. Best thing I ever did but everyone is different have a word with Gp

[jerry12953]

Was on 2.5 mg for a month and GP told me I could stop taking it. Just did so with no problems.

[flower365]

I came off by halfing my tablet ( same dose as yours) taking it for a week, then halfing that half for a week. I had tried just stopping and heart rate too high. No idea if it was psycological or physical but cutting down gradually worked better for me.

[Bisoman in reply to flower365]

Didn't think you could cut such low dose without a cut line or on long release tablets?

[flower365 in reply to Bisoman]

Hence my comment re psychological.

[DWizza]

I was told I could stop my 1.25mg dose too, after two days I noticed that I could feel my heart pounding when I was seated , 92bpm.

My resting heart rate on 1.25 can be in the 40s. Taking a tablet every other day or two days and it’s around 52-56. Didn’t expect to have any issues stopping it but it’s very noticeable.

[Bisoman in reply to DWizza]

So how did you stop

[sandandkev]

I was on 1.25mg and cut them in half with a knife,took these twice a day then reduced to half then stopped,do you do breathing exercises when pulse goes up?, it helps

[Bisoman in reply to sandandkev]

But you can't cut long release tablets it says not to cut them?

[DWizza in reply to Bisoman]

Seems people do cut them . I cut my 1.25mg in half occasionally.

[Qualipop]

I was on it for several months after my heart attack. It was dropping my heart rate far too low and I wanted to just sleep most of the time so was taken off it. I simply stopped- no problems at all. Same dose as you. Heart rate settled back into the 80s where it normally is.

[Chuckles10]

The medications GP’s prescribe us are done for a reason and listening to or reading on social media about reducing or stop taking any medication can effect your life severely so if your going to gamble on your life be aware because once you decide to change or remove medications it could be your last move.

[DWizza in reply to Chuckles10]

The OP has been told they can stop taking the bisoprolol. Could be the best move. 🤷

[Dingledaw]

You could crush it into a fine powder and take 3/4 for a week, then 1/2, then the other 1/4. That would be a bit more mixed up if you like?

[texigal]

Hi Bisoman.. I hope by now you have spoken to your physician and come to a resolution of your concerns and symptoms. For future reference, information on the specifics of medications ( long acting/short acting) and whether they can be cut or crushed, your pharmacist will know more than we do. You are wise to be inquisitive about proper handling and discontinuation protocol for beta blockers. Also, Drugs.com website has FDA- based information on medications and the Patient Information sections can be reviewed for guidance in preparation for informed conversation with your doctor. I do hope you find relief. ‘Anxiety’ as the cause of continuous tachycardia is a diagnosis of exclusion. Tachycardia can cause feelings of anxiety in and of itself. If your symptoms continue without resolution consider a second opinion.

[Bisoman in reply to texigal]

Thanks my GP can't see me for two weeks and I've been a and e they won't help, my cardiologist isn't answering either so very stuck.

[texigal]

sorry to hear that. I wish you the best in resolving your conserns