Bisoprolol (beta Blocker)

After discussing with my doctor she prescribed half what I started with and that’s ok for me. You need to speak to your doctor (if you can 😀) to get the right dose, it will be trial and error.

I'm taking Bisoprolol and it took 2 months of fiddling with the dose to get it right. I joined an A.Fib Support Group to get more info about the condition generally, and many Group Members had had problems with Bisoprolol. I realised that side effects were being expected when the pharmacist rang me twice to see how I was getting on.

I rang the British Heart Foundation when I was having a challenging time with Bisoprolol, and she suggested taking the prescribed dose but splitting it, half in the morning and half in the evening. I am only on a low dose but I have a medical history of bad reactions to almost any medication. Now I take 1.25 mg. with my breakfast (and also an anticoagulant), and another 1.25mg with my evening meal. I checked with a doctor first.

I do get breathless but I also have asthma so it's hard to know what is causing what.

There are alternative beta blockers if a split dose doesn't work for you.

PS. Forgot to say that the BHF is a charity which offers a 30 minute free telephone appointment with a cardiac nurse. She was very helpful indeed.

I have taken Bisoprolol 5 mg for many years. I take it at bedtime and have no problems. It can make you feel very tired when first starting it. My cardiologist advised best to take in the evening rather than the morning.

I've been on 2.5mg of Bisoprolol for 3 years - after a stroke (apparently caused by Covid). No problems with it.

I was having problems with Bisoprolol, making me feel very tired, breathless etc. I asked the Consultant if I could take it before bed with the other meds, he agreed. This has helped as I don't know if I'm spaced out or not in bed. I must say I have no problem falling asleep. It might be due to the Bisoprolol.
But I'm still having problems with the Amlodipine Besylate. I take it in the morning along with the other meds. I don't think it would be a good idea to change and take it at bedtime. I may never waken up!

I take 10 mg bisoprolol every morning with other meds. I don’t think it makes me feel tired - at least no more so than usual - and not breathless either.

I am new to pill taking but have just been prescribed Bisoprolol and statins. I only take 1.25mg sonogram as strong as many of you. I’m in my 2nd month now and haven’t noticed any side effects.
I didn’t do more than glance at the possible side effects….just a quick look was enough to make me reluctant to take it!
I thought that I would refer to it if I noticed any and I haven’t.
Perhaps you need to fiddle with the dosage as Soarklefizz suggested?

Jannipans

I have been put on Bisoprolol and am trying to give it chance to settle in, but I am convinced it disagrees with me. About 15 minutes after taking it I start feeling breathless and shaky and feeling tight chested. The radiographer who did my angiogram said I was still in AF even after a week of taking this but would not agree that it could disagree with me.
Has anyone else experienced this and has anyone come off it?

My youngest daughter had to stop taking Bisoprolol she felt very dizzy and even more breathless then usual , she only took it for 10 days she had a cardio appointment and the consultant said to stop and she is on something elss now but I can't remember the name.

Bisoprolol doesn't suit everyone but it is one of the safest drugs for arrhythmias, hypertension etc . All of the drugs can have side effects but if you need something to help with a heart condition and you feel the side effects are not tolerable then you should consult your GP or cardiologist. I've had extreme tiredness associated with bisoprolol but I'm on 10mg plus digoxin and it took 6 weeks or so for me to get over the side effects and for my arrhythmia to settle. I was getting chest pain and some breathlessness but I knew it was associated with an arrhythmia rather than the bisoprolol as there were times that I couldn't get a BP reading, just got an error message.

Please check with your GP, or cardiology clinic/specialist nurse if possible. I think specialist advice is needed with your symptoms. Have you got anything to measure your heart rate while you feel so breathless and your chest is tight?
Bisoprolol is a cardio selective beta blocker, so good for arrhythmias, but needs careful assessment if Asthma is a question. How do you feel after the first hour of taking it?

I am on Bisoprolol only 2.5 mg but I take 6 other tablets a day. Because I have had allergic reactions in the past to other medications I space the taking of my medication over a 12 hour period just to be safe.

Mr C was prescribed bisoprolol after a scary AF bout post valve repair. He was initially more tired which passed quickly, his ongoing side effect is feeling cold. As otherwise he’s stable he feels it’s little enough to experience. Other drugs are possible jani. I’d seek advice from the prescriber. Alternatively as sparklefizz suggested give the nurse helpline at the British Heart Foundation a call. The twice I’ve been worried and phoned there has been a sensible, knowledgeable response

I have had permanent AF for over 9 years. I was prescribed bisoprolol but became very tired. My cardiologist took me off it, said it was slowing me down too much

I have been taking Bisoprolol for 15 years with no side effects at all, I only take 2.5 my but without it my heartbeat is irregular.

DH was put on the lowest dose of bidoprolol for heart failure (HF). He felt dreadful immediately. he took it for a week befoe stopping it. The HF nurse, accepted him doing this, saying that they do not suit everybody.

cornergran his ongoing side effect is feeling cold.

Me too! 3 hours after taking my morning Bisoprolol, my feet are painfully cold like blocks of ice and I have to put them on a hot water bottle.

Jannipans BHF have a health unblocked forum that is for people with heart problems and they have helped me enormously . If you type in BHF and then go onto the link for the forum it's like joining GN . They may be able to help you .

I check out "Health Unlocked" for some good advice on AF. I had a Cardiac Ablation nearly 3 weeks ago, for fast PAF. I am on 5mg of Beta blockers, hopefully I can come off them later on.
Some folk can't take Beta blockers but I understood being Asthmatic is a contra indication to Beta blockers?

Jannipans, please talk to your GP (preferably the one who prescribed it). He or she will take you seriously and almost certainly come up with something which works for your symptoms without making you ill with others!

Excellent advice Whiff, thanks for putting it out here.