Stopping Bisoprolol Completely 1.25mg

Hi Sharon, 

mine was just halved over a four week period and I was then changed to a drug called Slozem without any problem and none of the awful side effects I had with Bisoprolol. Im sorry to hear you are not getting teh support of your GP or consultant. Personally I would throw my teddy out of the pram and insist they change it. 

I can sympathise with you Sharon.  I started at half-a-1.25mg tab to see if I could tolerate it. OK. Then doubled it for a week and then ramping up until 10mg. I found it impossble to breathe at most times so I complained to my GP and he just stopped it immediately.  Now on Flecainide 50mg twice a day: no problems with this tablet.

If you have a look at the other Bisoprolol discussions you will find a number of most unhappy users.

Hi Sharon

I was on 1.25 then 2.5, then 5mg  and then the killer dose for me, 7.5 Bisoprolol over a period of three years with the highest dose for about three months.  This was for paroxysmal atriaI fibrillation.  I subsequently had an emergency when they fitted a pacemaker in hospital and then later ablated the AV node.  Whilst I was on the ward the Consultant came to discuss medication.  I told him that I wanted to come off both the Bisoprolol and Flecainide which I was also taking for two years, just retaining the anti clot drug Pradaxa.  He agreed without demur and I just stopped there and then.  I have had no ill effects whatsoever, gaining in energy and optimism almost daily.  It has been almost three months now since I stopped.

I found the increased Bisoprolol impossible to live with.  The level of fatigue is indescribable and takes all pleasure from life.  Sometimes my blood pressure is a bit up now, but I just measure it daily and take a beta blocker (Valsartan) as I judge it to be necessary.  

Just remember, it is your health and wellbeing and don't let any doctor browbeat you into taking something which makes you feel unwell.  Research and seek an alternative drug if you have to.

Hi Sharon I had a By-pas after I was prescribed bisoporol 5mg i got a bad reaction discussed it with my Doctor and got short shrift so I bought myself a blood pressure monitor and by checking regularly I have been able to reduce the dose to1.25 mg I tried not having it at all but my pulse rate shot up so I am back on the 1.25 without any side effects I wish you we'll and hope my experience helps somewhat John

Thank you everyone Even without the Bisoprolol and before and after my heart attack, my BP and resting heart rate stays the same at around 111/70 and 72bpm. Even after doing household chores, my HR is only around 100 bps. I monitor it reguarly, so I am hoping that coming off the 1.25mg wont make much difference to my BP an HR, but that I wont get any of the side effects of the drug any more. I have decided to take half a tablet for 4 days and then stop it completely. Wish me luck x

Good for you, Sharon.  ~Best wishes

Hi there, I was prescribed Bisoprolol 2.5 mg last June, I had a leaky heart valve and my heart rate was very high.  I took it for 6 days together with Furosomide which was also prescribed and had the worst diverticulosis attack I have ever had!  Lost a stone and I immediately came off both tablets. (didn't ask the doctor, just did it!)  Took me weeks to start to feel better but as my heart rate was still high I went back on 1.25 mg but had terrible diarrhoea!!!  So again I stopped it. Have had my valve repaired now and normally they would have put me back on it but I told them I couldn't take it.   There's no way I'd ever take it again, the consultant didn't offer me an alternative but I am now on Ramipril for my high blood pressure and my heart rate has slowed now.  If you are having bad side effects then you should definitely come off this medication, I guess if you have o side effects but want to come off them the docs wouldn't understand why!!!! All the best whatever you decide to do.

I am following anyone who won't take Bisoprolol any more.  I refused this following two failed ablations and then a pacemaker implant when I had an emergency with rapid pulse (flutter).   I just wanted to take my chances without any medication other than anti coagulation and see what happens to me and my cardiologist agreed to this.  From  mid April to the beginning of August I had three blissful months of no symptoms, returning energy, freedom from anxiety and vivid dreams and optimism.  Then I got another AFib which felt as bad as ever and lasted most of a night before reverting on its own.  I was shocked by this as I had been told that although the AFib would not be cured, the symptoms would be much less, not even noticed.  

At a reading of the pacemaker at the clinic, it was noted I had had 73 less than one minute incidents of arrhythmia - so you could say it did work after a fashion as I was not aware of these - but the 'big' one was different.  I eventually took 100 mg Flecainide to calm it and it did settle down.

Now my cardiologist says take one of these anti-arrhythmic Flecainide pills as and when I feel I need to.  No mention of Bisoprolol as my rate is okay so far.  So I am now on a very much wait and see basis.  I am taking careful note of anyone here who has an alternative to Bisoprolol just in case .....

Hi Sharon,

I took Bisoprolol for paroxymal AF for a year. The side-effects of the 1.25 dose reduced me to a spaced-out zombie; a condition that crept up on me so gradually, that I foolishly thought them to be 'age'

With my quality of life drastically reduced and in constant fear of the ground coming up to meet my face, I stopped taking them and went back to my GP for further advice.

His reaction was extremely puzzling and somewhat disturbing, as was that of the consultant I saw later.

Both looked right through me when I described the symptoms of side-effects, but

I never restarted the Bisoprolol.

In my case, I sought a second opinion, which resulted in a far better outcome.

If your not being supported by your GP, get pushy for better advice and alternatives...

Best wishes, James