General Info: Uses and Effects

Bystolic Generic (Nebivolol) is classified under beta-blockers, which are drugs that treat high blood pressure. Keeping the blood pressure low helps prevent complications, such as kidney diseases, heart attacks, and strokes. The drug blocks the activities of specific substances that are naturally available in the body like epinephrine, helping in restoring normal circulation of blood. The medicine may also be used for some off-label purposes deemed fit by a physician.

Contraindication: Important to Know

This is a prescription-only drug that shouldn't be taken without guidance from a doctor. During your treatment, ensure that you finish the dose because discontinuation may cause severe side effects like chest pain and even heart attacks, which can be fatal. Bystolic Nebivolol can impair your judgement and affect your reactions. Do not stop the treatment even if you feel better. Therefore, do not engage in activities that require alertness such as operate machinery or driving.

Hypertension can be managed through other treatment programs other than medicines. These include proper diet, proper weight management and exercises. A combination of all these will go a long way in expediting your recovery. During consultation, inform your doctor if you suffer from conditions like severe liver complications or heart-related problems, such as sick sinus syndrome, heart block, heart failure, or slow heart rate.

Your physician may have to adjust your Bystolic dose if you have conditions, such as diabetes (it might make it difficult to regulate sugar levels in your blood), liver or kidney disease, bronchitis, asthma and other breathing problems, emphysema, thyroid disorders, an allergy history, tumor of adrenal gland, and a recent incidence of heart attack. You should also share if you have mental or mood disorders such as stress and depression, some muscle diseases like myasthenia gravis, hyperthyroidism, and blood circulation complications like Raynaud's disease.

Inform your doctor if you get pregnant or intend to get pregnant when taking this medication. The same applies when you are breastfeeding. Generally, this drug should only be used when necessary. Otherwise, avoid it altogether during pregnancy because the baby might be born with less-than-normal weight and may require close monitoring for complications such as low blood sugar, slow heartbeat, low blood pressure and slow breathing. Avoid alcohol, marijuana, and other substances that cause dizziness.

Instructions on Taking

Strictly observe your doctor's instruction throughout the treatment period. Don't change the quantities because it might affect the drug's effectiveness. Read and understand the instructions on the drug's label. Ideally, come up with a schedule and take the medicine at the same time daily, with or without food. Don't be tempted to discontinue treatment even if your pressure improved because that may trigger serious side effects such as heart complications such as heart attacks. Your doctor will guide you on how to stop taking this drug, by reducing the dose gradually over a period of time.

The effect of Bystolic Nebivolol is not instant. Therefore, don't panic if symptoms don't improve. Your pressure will have to be monitored throughout treatment course. If you have scheduled a surgical operation, inform your surgeon that you are taking this medicine. Bear in mind that there are no known symptoms of hypertension, and this medicine may have to be taken for life.

Dosage

You doctor will determine the right dose based on your unique needs and medical condition. Typically, you may have to start off with 5mg, taken once per day. Based on how you respond to treatment, this may be increased to a maximum of 40mg per day after a number of weeks. Ensure that you complete the dose as directed by the doctor. It is important to emphasize the fact that this medicine may take time to eventually stabilize your blood pressure. Don't expect miracles after a few days. Instead, keep taking the drug and regularly see the physician to report progress and have your pressure taken.

If you miss a dose, you can either choose to skip it or take it depending on the time it crosses your mind. However, never try to compensate for missed dose by taking a double-dose as that may result in an overdose which might cause some serious side effects.

Side Effects

Bystolic Nebivolol has been associated with some side effects, such as a headache, light-headedness, nausea, feeling of extreme exhaustion, dizziness, insomnia, and slow heartbeat. While some of these effects can disappear naturally after sometimes, others may get worse. Inform your physician or pharmacist urgently when that happens.

The amount of blood flowing to your feet and hands can drop when using this medicine. This can make you feel cold. You should therefore put on warm clothes and avoid using tobacco. Some people have experienced serious side effects, such as:

• Blue toes or fingers;
• Heart failure symptoms like shortness of breath;
• Exceedingly slow heartbeat;
• Swelling of ankles and feet;
• Unexpected and abrupt weight gain;
• Changes in moods and mental status, such as depression, mood swings, and confusion.

Serious allergic reactions of Nebivolol are rare. However, possible symptoms of allergies include severe dizziness, swelling/itching of body parts like the face, throat and tongue, and breathing difficulties. Please bear in mind that the above list of side effects is not exhaustive as some, not listed might occur. In such cases, inform your doctor immediately for professional intervention.

Interaction with Other Drugs

This medicine can react with other drugs, affecting their effectiveness. You must therefore disclose to the doctor all the medicine you are taking, especially, Cimetidine (Tagamet), Clonidine (Catapres), Isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis), Digitalis (Digoxin, Lanoxin), Reserpine, and Methimazole (Tapazole). Others include:

• Other beta-blockers like Carvedilol (Coreg);
• Antibiotics like Terbinafine (Lamisil);
• Antidepressants like Desipramine (Norpramin);
• Anti-malarial drugs such as Quinine;
• Blood or heart pressure drugs like Clonidine, Amlodipine, and Dilatiazem;
• HIV/AIDs drugs;
• Psychiatric disorder medications such as Clozapine and Aripiprazole;
• Heart rhythm drugs.

Note that the above list is not exhaustive of all the medicines that can interact with and therefore affect the effectiveness of Bystolic Nebivolol. Just ensure that you list and share all the drugs you are taking with your doctor prior to commencing the treatment.