Uses
What is nebivolol used for?
Nebivolol is commonly used to lower high blood pressure (hypertension).
Nebivolol may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does nebivolol work (mechanism of action)?
Nebivolol blocks beta-1 receptors in your heart. These receptors normally bind to hormones called catecholamines. When catecholamines bind to these receptors, it causes your heart to beat harder and faster. Blocking these receptors helps your heart beat more slowly. Nebivolol also causes your blood vessels to relax. These effects can help lower blood pressure, and may reduce your risk for heart attack and stroke.
How is nebivolol supplied (dosage forms)?
Nebivolol is available as Bystolic and generic nebivolol in the following dosage forms that are taken by mouth.
- 2.5 mg oral tablets
- 5 mg oral tablets
- 10 mg oral tablets
- 20 mg oral tablets
How should I store nebivolol?
Nebivolol should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place, in a tightly closed container.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of nebivolol?
The most common side effects of nebivolol are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Headache
- Feeling unusually weak or tired
There may be other side effects of nebivolol that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of nebivolol?
While less common, the most serious side effects of nebivolol are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Heart Rate Changes. Nebivolol can make your heart beat slower than normal (bradycardia). Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of bradycardia.
- Feeling lightheaded, dizziness, or fainting
- Confusion
- Feeling weak or easily tired
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
Decreased Blood Pressure (Hypotension). Nebivolol may cause low blood pressure. If you feel faint or dizzy, lie down. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of low blood pressure.
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Confusion
- Feeling weak or tired
Peripheral Vascular Disease. Nebivolol can cause the heart to pump less blood to the rest of the body. This can make blood flow problems to the arms, legs and intestines worse.
Breathing Problems. Nebivolol may cause the muscles around the airways to tighten (bronchospasm) instead of relaxing, which can be serious. Stop using nebivolol and contact your healthcare provider right away if you have trouble breathing.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Nebivolol may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using nebivolol and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use nebivolol?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use nebivolol.
- Bystolic
- Nebivolol
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific nebivolol products they stock.
Bradycardia. Nebivolol should not be used if your heart is beating too slow (bradycardia).
Heart Block. Nebivolol should not be used if the electrical signals in your heart move too slow (heart block).
Severe or Worsening Heart Failure. Nebivolol should not be used if your heart failure is severe or getting worse, causing you to feel very tired, have trouble breathing, or swelling in your legs.
Cardiogenic Shock. Nebivolol should not be used if you have a life-threatening condition called cardiogenic shock where your heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of your body.
Liver Problems. Nebivolol should not be used if your liver is not working as well as it should be. If there is a concern about the health of your liver, your healthcare provider may do tests to determine if it is working well enough to take this medicine.
What should I know about nebivolol before using it?
Do not take nebivolol unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share nebivolol with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep nebivolol out of the reach of children.
Nebivolol can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how nebivolol affects you.
Stopping nebivolol suddenly may lead to chest pain, heart attack or dangerous heart rhythms in people with heart disease. Do not stop taking this medication without talking to your healthcare provider first.
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using nebivolol?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if nebivolol is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- Heart or circulation problems
- Breathing problems
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
- Pheochromocytoma
- Thyroid problems
Diabetes. Nebivolol can decrease early signs of low blood sugar, such as fast heartbeat, and make it more likely for the low blood sugar to be serious, especially for people with diabetes.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how nebivolol could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding. Nebivolol passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop nebivolol.
Interactions
Does nebivolol interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between nebivolol and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect nebivolol. The risk of dizziness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking nebivolol.
Does nebivolol interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking nebivolol.
- Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
- Any medicine for irregular heart rate or rhythm
- Any medicine for high blood pressure
- Any medicine for diabetes
Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of nebivolol. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much nebivolol?
If you or someone else has used too much nebivolol, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of nebivolol?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Are you currently using Nebivolol?
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