General Information and Indications:
Bisoprolol is used alone or in
combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Bisoprolol
is in a class of medications called beta blockers. It works by slowing the
heart rate and relaxing the blood vessels so the heart does not have to pump
as hard.
Information For Users:
Bisoprolol comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It
is usually taken once a day. To help you remember to take bisoprolol, take
it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your
prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you have any questions.
Take bisoprolol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take
it more often than prescribed by your health care provider.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of bisoprolol and slowly
increase your dose.
Bisoprolol controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. It may take a
few weeks before you feel the full benefit of bisoprolol. Continue taking
bisoprolol even if you feel well. Do not discontinue taking bisoprolol
without informing your doctor. Suddenly stopping bisoprolol may cause angina
(chest pain), heart attack, or irregular heartbeat.Your doctor will probably
decrease your dose gradually.
Other uses for this medicine
Bisoprolol also is used sometimes to treat heart failure. Talk to your
doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition.
Special
precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to bisoprolol or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are
taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: calcium channel blockers
such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac, others) and verapamil (Calan,
Isoptin, Verelan); clonidine (Catapres); guanethidine (Ismelin); medications
for irregular heartbeat such as disopyramide (Norpace); other beta blockers;
reserpine (Serpalan, Serpasil, Serpatabs); and rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane).
Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you
carefully for side effects.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding asthma or other lung disease;
a slow heart rate; heart failure; heart, liver, or kidney disease; diabetes;
severe allergies; circulation problems; or an overactive thyroid gland
(hyperthyroidism).
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking bisoprolol, call your
doctor.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or
dentist that you are taking bisoprolol.
o you should know that bisoprolol may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or
operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
o remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication.
o you should know that if you have allergic reactions to different
substances, your reactions may be worse while you are using bisoprolol, and
your allergic reactions may not respond to the usual doses of injectable
epinephrine.
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Bisoprolol may cause adverse effects. Inform
your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go away:
o extreme tiredness (fatigue)
o vomiting
o diarrhea
o muscle aches
o runny nose
Some adverse effects could be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon,
but if you experience any of them, call your doctor without delay:
o shortness of breath
o swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
o unusual weight gain
o fainting
Possible Symptoms
of Overdose:
o swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower
legs
o unusual weight gain
o difficulty swallowing or breathing
o dizziness
o fainting
o shakiness
o sweating
o confusion
o blurred vision (Impaired vision)
o headache
o numbness or tingling of the mouth
o weakness
o extreme tiredness
o sudden hunger
o pale color
Brand Name(s):
o Zebeta®
Other Name(s):
o Ziac® containing Bisoprolol Fumarate
and Hydrochlorothiazide
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