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Bisoprolol and low Patelets

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paul29961
paul29961

I had Colon cancer in 2008. Worked through it, Chemotherapy, Radio Therapy, Surgery etc, and at some point during all the treatment I was put on Bisoprolol 2.5mg. I have taken these i think for the last 9 years. The only other mdication i am on at the moment is Ventolin for my Asthma. Recently i discovered that these two should not be taken together. Between 2012 and now 2017 i have on several occasions had blood teats and usually they are fine but i do have a vey low Platelet count. 

I have read on several forums that Bisoprolol can in some cases cause this. I wondered what your opinions were?

As an experiment three days before my last blood test i cut the dose down to 1.25mg, and the platelet count doubled, it was still rubbish but better. I am now going to try to come off the Bisoprolol all together whilst self monitoring my BP, and see what the next Blood test shows. 

Look forward to hearing your comments.

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • denise41938
    denise41938 paul29961

    Posted

    Hi Paul, I'm sorry to hear about your health history.  You are right.  Bisprolol should not be taken if you have asthma.  Please do access the BNF website.  They are the controlling authoratative body of drugs. 

    https://www.evidence.nhs.uk/formulary/bnf/current/11-eye/116-treatment-of-glaucoma/beta-blockers

    You can copy and paste this and you will see that it states quite clearly, that they are contra-indicated for patients that have asthma.  There is a red band box, that reiterates this. 

    Best see your GP, but might might I suggest that you go and see your Pharmacist?  I have had excellent support from mine, I don't know where I would be without them.  

    Good luck Paul, but please make this a priority.  Kind Regards, Denise.

    • paul29961
      paul29961 denise41938

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply Denise. I cannot access the web site as i work outside of the uk, and it can only be accessed from within the country.
  • sian85963
    sian85963 paul29961

    Posted

    It says this....

    Important

    Beta-blockers, even those with apparent cardioselectivity, should not be used in patients with asthma or a history of obstructive airways disease, unless no alternative treatment is available. In such cases the risk of inducing bronchospasm should be appreciated and appropriate precautions taken.

    Bisoprolol can be used for anxiety, tachycardia, high blood pressure amongst other things, no idea why you would have been put on then after cancer though?? They are more heart specific (narrow spectrum) than some other betablockers so would have thought you would be on them only if you had a heart issue??

    • paul29961
      paul29961 sian85963

      Posted

      Thanks Sian

                           i have cut them out over the last week. No idea why i was put on them in the first place. The immediate concern though is the low Platelet count. Could this have been caused by this unholy mix, or one or the other?

    • paul29961
      paul29961

      Posted

      Further to this. After 7 days on half does 1,25mg and 3 days on zero i have retested with Platlet count of 105!! So it looks like it was the Bisprolol. I will retest after one more week at zero.
    • denise41938
      denise41938 paul29961

      Posted

      Hi Paul, I'm, sorry I wasn't able to come back to you.  I see you were unable to access because you aren't in the UK.  Someone kindly helped you.  Paul, I have no doubt that you are right.  Here is a link - I stayed on the US Website deliberately so that you can hopefully access.  It gave me the option to go to UK, but I declined.  I find that the US usually gives us more info than the UK and as you aren't in the UK, it wouldn't be of much help probably!  Anyway, I am shocked just how many 'severe' side effects Bisoprolol can bring.  Please take a look:

      http://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-14206-602/bisoprolol-fumarate/details/list-sideeffects

      Now Paul if you can't copy and paste or still can't access from the country you are in, I went on to google and keyed in 'bisoprolol and low platelets'.

      When I came off my Bisoprolol a few months ago, all the dreadful experiences I was having disappeared.  My heart played merry hell though and sadly, I have had to go back on to stop the arrhythmias.  Still that's another story, but so many of us are having bad side effects.

      Paul, how do you manage to re-test yourself?  Do you have some dip-sticks or something? 

      Onwards and upwards - and good luck!  Kind Regards, Denise.

    • paul29961
      paul29961 denise41938

      Posted

      Thanks Denise

                               i go to the local clinic and just have full bloods done. I pay for it but is worthit to keep on top of this issue, and the results are almost immediate these days.

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