Bisoprolol having the opposite effect for ectopic beats.

[irishbert]

Has anyone ever experienced bisoprolol increasing the frequency of their ectopic beats rather than decreasing them?

I have paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and had bisoprolol prescribed as a pill in pocket medication for when I had an episode. However, I have been getting ectopic beats recently which have been causing me a great degree of anxiety as they are very noticeable and I always think they are going to tip me into AFib. My burden was low, with only 1-2 ectopic beats per hour, however due to my anxiety it was having a detrimental effect on my quality of life and so to combat this my GP recommended I move on to 2.5mg of Bisoprolol daily to try to eliminate the frequency and severity of the ectopic beats. Whilst the severity has been noticeably lowered, the frequency has increased considerably, I've gone from having 1-2 ectopic beat per hour to now having 4-5 and it's causing me a great degree of concern.

Has anyone else experienced this? Should I advise my doctor that I want to stop the bisoprolol? Is this something normal that settles after a time? Should I stop the bisoprolol immediately (i've been on it only 3 days)?

Any advice would be appreciated as my anxiety is actually getting worse rather than better and I am convinced that the more ectopic beats I have the more likely I am to end up in AFib.

[Vanilla88]

Hi Irishbert, whilst I haven’t taken this tablet I guess from its name it’s a beta blocker? Then yes beta blockers didn’t help me/suit me.

With regard to eptopic beats I used to get them, and found that following the no caffeine rule improved them no end. I also found some other heart meds made them worse that weren’t beta blockers.

Also, stress even at a sub conscious level gave me eptopic beats, so even worrying about my heart rhythm would make it worse. I didn’t realize I was stressing, some of us naturally worry.

Hope you can get some perspective/help from my experience.

Try talking to the pharmacist at the chemist before your gp.

Good luck

[Carrotcakemad]

Hi Irishbert I was prescribed 2.5mg bisoprolol after supraventricular tachycardia (fast heartbeat) diagnosis in 2019. No side effects until last year when my heartbeat switched to brachycardia (slow heartbeat). My dosage was then halved to 1.25 mg. I am still taking that plus amlodipine for high blood pressure and statins. My BP systolic is now low not because of medications but a separate problem of aortic regurgitation. I am now waiting for surgery and doing my best to be positive. When you get your review, the doctor may decide to lower your bisoprolol or change to another medication. I don't blame them making us guinea pigs! Best of luck.

[FiligreeFlourish]

Bisoprolol not only increased ectopic beats for me but it also hugely increased my anxiety perhaps due to the fact it severely disrupted my sleep. Changing beta blocker has fixed that problem. Don’t just come off it suddenly though as Bisoprolol is notoriously nasty to stop suddenly (and medical advice is that you shouldn’t as well)..

[Chuckles10]

I always say your GP prescribes medications to help with some serious conditions but if any side effects that you come across you tell your GP and work with them as they know best 😁

[Woodywoo36]

Hi irishbert. I think you have to give bisoporol more than 3 days to work and also try to reduce your anxiety. I take 2.5mg per day for ectopic beats but I know that when I am anxious I am more aware of things and so funny beats do seem more frequent. However when I'm not thinking about things and not anxious I'm not as aware of them so they seem less frequent. See your GP for reassurance if you are worried. Hope it all calms down for you soon x

[Eeee13]

hi

It’s a hard one to a see as everyone reacts in a different way

I’m intolerant to all meds Apixaban wrecks my skin, makes me light headed and breathless. No energy. I Fall asleep. As soon as I come off it 12 hrs later I’m back to normal. All beta blockers in small or massive doses. Calcium blockers, heart suppressants. Non work The side effects really screw me up so had to come off. I’m only having to continue on Apixaban because I’m waiting urgent surgery. Loads of ectopic beats and goes AFib over 500 times in 24 hours and hearts races 150+ all day every day.

Now I know all the signs I’ve had arterial flutter, Bradicardia , ectopic beats, low blood pressure all my life. I’m 64. Never been ill other than the odd cold. 14 months ago heart went mad and no rhythm. Endless meds 4 surgical procedures all failed.

Great full I’m still alive.

[bananas2025]

Hello Irishbert.

I've been having ectopics since December - 5%. I've had Echo/CT and been assured by the cardiologist all is fine and that they will cause no damage.

I started on 2.5 mg Biosprolol 10 days ago for the symptoms. Day 1 and 2 were a big improvement, then since Day 3 till now the ectopics have been a lot worse.

I discussed with the Cardiologist 3 days ago, he advised me to continue for a second week. If there is no improvement then to stop. He will write to my GP and when I get an appointment with them I will start on calcium blockers instead of Biosprolol.

So I have 4 days left to see if there is any improvement. I did think it was a bit better last two days and worse today, however that was the weekend and I was quiet busy so may just have been the distraction.

Let me know how you get on.

[Cocoflo]

HI I am on 2.5 mg of bisoprolol for PVCs it has taken 3 weeks for it to work and I am now a lot better and can’t feel them. My GP said it can take up to a month for it to work properly. Hope yours settles soon.