Bystolic
Generic Name:
Nebivolol Hydrochloride
Brand Names:
Bystolic, Nebilet, Nebilong 5 mg, Nebicard-5, Nubeta, Nodon
Bystolic Description:
Bystolic is the brand name for nebivolol hydrochloride marketed by Forest Pharmaceuticals, a prescription medication utilized for the treatment of chronic high blood pressure (hypertension). Bystolic is a beta blocker that can be used exclusively or in tandem with other antihypertensive medications. It works to relax blood vessels and ease the heart rate enough to improve blood flow and decrease blood pressure.
Bystolic Side Effects:
Some side effects of Bystolic can be serious since the drug has a profound effect on a patient's cardiovascular system. The following reactions to Bystolic, though uncommon, can be serious. A doctor should be contacted immediately if a patient experiences any of the symptoms below:
- Severe chest pain
- Slow or rapid heart rate
- Difficult or shallow breathing
- Unusual or sudden weight gain
- Vomiting
- Skin rash
- Swelling of the hands, feet, ankles or lower legs
- Signs of heart attack including numbness, burning or tingling in the hands, arms, feet or legs
For more information, see our Bystolic side effects page.
Bystolic Uses:
Bystolic treats chronic high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. Chronic high blood pressure is a disease that is a major cause of:
- Stroke
- Coronary heart disease (which leads to heart attacks)
- Kidney failure
- Decreased sexual prowess
Bystolic works to reduce high blood pressure by restricting the amount of adrenaline that enters the heart and subsequently the cardiovascular system. Lower blood pressure puts less strain on the heart, allowing for a more normal pulse and blood flow and improved overall cardiovascular health.
Bystolic Interactions:
Beta Blockers
Bystolic should not be combined with other beta blockers. Examples of beta blockers known to have a compounded effect when used with Bystolic include: acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, bisoprolol, carvedilol, clonidine, labetalol, nadolol, pindolol, sotalol and timolol.
Fluoxetine
Pharmacology studies have found that Fluoxetine, an antidepressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, when administered at 20mg per day for 21 days prior to a single 10mg dose of Bystolic, has an adverse reaction.
Bystolic Dosage Information:
Typical dosage recommendations:
Bystolic is typically taken once a day as an oral tablet with a meal. It is possible to take Bystolic without food, though it is best taken around the same time every day and meals are a good reminder to take your daily dosage. Usually the starting dose of Bystolic is 5mg once daily. Patients needing further control of their blood pressure can expect their dosage to increase at two week intervals up to 40mg.
It is important to note that Bystolic does not cure high blood pressure but rather controls the main factors of the condition. Likewise, it is important to continue your doctor’s recommended dosage even if symptoms recede and you generally feel well. Never stop taking this medication without first consulting your doctor.
Missing a dose:
Missing a dose of Bystolic can have serious effects on the body, including chest pain (angina), irregular heartbeats (palpitations) and heart attack (myocardial infarction). Do not take a double dose of Bystolic to regain your regular dosing schedule, but rather take the missed dose immediately, or if close to the next dose, simply skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule.
Overdosing:
The most common conditions associated with Bystolic overdosing are abnormally slow heart rate (bradycardia) and abnormally low blood pressure (hypotension). An overdose of Bystolic can have serious consequences that may manifest in other reactions such as:
- Shakiness, dizziness or flustered sensations
- Excessive sweating
- Mental confusion
- Nervousness, irritability or sudden changes in behavior or mood
- Numbness or tingling around the mouth
- Pale or yellow skin
- Sudden hunger pains
- Clumsy motor functions
- Difficulty breathing
- Seizures
- Vomiting
Bystolic FDA Approval:
December 17, 2007
Bystolic Recall/Black Box Warning Information:
There are no recalls or Black Box warnings for Bystolic.
Other Warnings:
Misleading Advertising
The FDA warned Forest Pharmaceuticals in 2008 that their advertising campaign had left off a warning about Bystolic's use in patients with congestive heart failure. The FDA stated that the advertisement portrayed "that the beta blockers work better for patients who are obese, diabetic or have poor metabolism, even though clinical trials were not designed to show such an effect." The FDA also voiced a concern about Bystolic's questionable link to serious risks of cardiac failure and chest pain in patients who should avoid the drug due to various existing heart conditions.
Abrupt Discontinuation
Patients using Bystolic for chronic high blood pressure (hypertension) are advised not to discontinue usage of this drug without explicit direction from a doctor. A severe intensification of severe chest pain (angina), heart attack (myocardial infarction), and abnormal rapid heart rhythms (ventricular arrhythmia) can be the result of abrupt discontinuation of Bystolic. Any and all discontinuation of Bystolic should be planned and patients should be carefully monitored for the slightest adverse reaction. Bystolic dosage should be tapered over the course of one or two weeks under a doctor's recommendation and should be immediately reinstituted if any cardiac troubles arise.
-
September 9, 2010, 3:38 pm
-
September 8, 2010, 3:39 pm
-
September 7, 2010, 9:59 am
-
September 2, 2010, 12:51 pm
