Bystolic

Generic Name: nebivolol (ne BIV oh lol)
Brand Names: Bystolic

What is Bystolic?

Bystolic (nebivolol) belongs to a group of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins).

Bystolic is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack.

Bystolic may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

Do not skip doses or stop taking Bystolic without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse or cause other serious heart problems such as severe chest pain or heart attack. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely. If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Bystolic.

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Bystolic may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Bystolic is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

Keep using Bystolic as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

Before taking this medicine

To make sure you can safely take Bystolic, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

severe liver disease; or

a heart problem such as heart block, sick sinus syndrome, slow heart rate, or heart failure.

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a Bystolic dose adjustment or special tests:

asthma, bronchitis, emphysema;

liver or kidney disease;

diabetes;

a thyroid disorder;

a history of allergies;

problems with circulation (such as Raynaud's syndrome);

pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland); or

if you have recently had a heart attack.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Bystolic will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Bystolic. It is not known whether nebivolol passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Bystolic without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I take Bystolic?

Take Bystolic exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take Bystolic at the same time every day. You may take the medication with or without food.

Do not skip doses or stop taking Bystolic without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse or cause other serious heart problems such as severe chest pain or heart attack. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Visit your doctor regularly.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Bystolic.

Bystolic is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.

Keep using Bystolic as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

Store Bystolic at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Dosage Information (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include slow heart rate, dizziness, vomiting, trouble breathing, or feeling like you might pass out.

What should I avoid?

Bystolic may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Bystolic side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Bystolic: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;

swelling of your ankles or feet;

slow or uneven heartbeats; or

numbness or cold feeling in your hands and feet.

Less serious Bystolic side effects may include:

headache;

tired feeling;

nausea, stomach pain;

diarrhea; or

sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Bystolic?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

cimetidine (Tagamet);

clonidine (Catapres);

digitalis (digoxin, Lanoxin);

isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis);

methimazole (Tapazole);

reserpine;

ropinirole (Requip);

ticlopidine (Ticlid);

another beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin, Tenoretic), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Dutoprol, Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), and others;

an antibiotic such as terbinafine (Lamisil);

an antidepressant such as clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), duloxetine (Cymbalta), fluoxetine (Prozac, Rapiflux, Sarafem, Selfemra, Symbyax), imipramine (Tofranil), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), sertraline (Zoloft), or tranylcypromine (Parnate);

anti-malaria medication such as chloroquine (Aralen) or pyrimethamine (Daraprim), or quinine (Qualaquin);

heart or blood pressure medicine such as amlodipine (Norvasc, Caduet, Exforge, Lotrel, Tekamlo, Tribenzor, Twynsta, Amturnide), clonidine (Catapres, Clorpres, Kapvay, Nexiclon), diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia, Dilacor, Diltia, Diltzac, Taztia, Tiazac), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Nifedical, Procardia), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan, Tarka), and others;

heart rhythm medicine such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), quinidine (Quin-G), procainamide (Pronestyl), disopyramide (Norpace), flecaininde (Tambocor), mexiletine (Mexitil), propafenone, (Rythmol), and others;

HIV or AIDS medicine such as delavirdine (Rescriptor) or ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra); or

medicine to treat psychiatric disorders, such as aripiprazole (Abilify), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), clozapine (Clozaril, FazaClo), fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin), haloperidol (Haldol), perphenazine (Trilafon), or thioridazine (Mellaril).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Bystolic. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.