Facts on Bisoprolol Fumarate
Indications
Bisoprolol fumarate is used to help treat hypertension or high blood pressure in patients. This not only helps to prevent strokes, but can also help with heart attacks and kidney disorders according to RXList.com. This is known as a beta-blocker and is known to work by blocking certain chemicals in the body so that the heart and vessels are better able to function. Zebeta is also used to help treat moderate heart failure, although it is not on the list of approved professional labeling for this drug.
Dosing Information for Bisoprolol Fumarate
A physician will prescribe a daily dose, normally one pill daily. This must be taken on an ongoing basis in order to help with high blood pressure. If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as possible unless it is almost time for the next dose. If this is the case, simply skip the missed dose and keep with your regular dosage schedule, but never take 2 doses at the same time.
Contraindications
Patients with certain medical conditions should not use this medication; these include heart rhythm problems like slow heartbeat or an atrioventricular block, as well as severe heart failure. Asthma, bronchitis and emphysema or kidney disease, liver or overactive thyroid disease should keep a patient from using this drug. Diabetics should know that this will prevent the pounding heart rate felt when blood sugar drops too low, so it may make it harder for levels to be controlled and your medication may need to be adjusted.
Drug Interactions
Zebeta or bisoprolol fumarate should not be taken with any other beta-blockers or blood pressure medications. Clonidine, epinephrine, reserpine, rifampin, disopyramide and calcium-blockers should all be avoided while taking this medication. This could cause the effects to be increased or decreased or completely change the effects of both drugs altogether. NSAIDs like ibuprofen can contain ingredients that can make blood pressure rise and should not be taken with this drug. Low dose aspirin may be given by a physician and should still be taken while taking this medication unless a doctor tells the patient otherwise.
Side Effects of Bisoprolol Fumarate
A physician can decide if it is safe for a patient to take Zebeta based on allergies and overall health. Side effects can include swelling and runny nose, headaches and fatigue as well as diarrhea and dizziness or upper respiratory infections. These will not be experienced by all patients, nor will some patients experience any of the side effects, as the drug acts differently in every patient.
Risks
If a patient stops this medication without a physician’s approval, withdrawal symptoms can be experienced. Clinical trials show that users of this medication reported headache and fatigue more than any other side effects from this drug, although rhinitis and cough were also associated during these trials. Nausea and vomiting are risks associated with this drug, as well as vivid dreams and insomnia or depression. Stopping this medication can cause heart attack or ventricular arrhythmias and therefore a physician should be consulted about stopping this medication.