Zebeta

Generic name: Bisoprolol
Drug class: Cardioselective beta blockers

Usage of Zebeta

Zebeta is a beta-blocker that affects the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins).

Zebeta is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

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

Zebeta side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Zebeta: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain;

slow heart rate;

pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;

numbness, tingling, or cold feeling in your hands or feet;

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

eye pain, vision problems; or

bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing).

Common Zebeta side effects may include:

headache;

feeling tired;

sleep problems (insomnia);

joint pain;

swelling; or

cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, runny nose, cough, sore throat.

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.

Before taking Zebeta

You should not use Zebeta if you you are allergic to bisoprolol, or if you have a serious heart condition such as:

"AV block";

severe heart failure; or

slow heartbeats that have caused you to faint.

To make sure Zebeta is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

congestive heart failure or other heart problems;

coronary artery disease (hardened arteries);

circulation problems (such as Raynaud's syndrome);

asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing disorder;

diabetes (taking Zebeta can make it harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar);

liver or kidney disease;

a thyroid disorder; or

a history of allergies.

It is not known whether Zebeta is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether bisoprolol passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Zebeta is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Relate drugs

How to use Zebeta

Usual Adult Dose of Zebeta for Hypertension:

Initial dose: 5 mg orally once a day Dose Titration: If desired response is not achieved, may increase the dose to 10 mg, then 20 mg if necessary Maximum dose: 20 mg per day Comments: -Dosage should be individualized to the patient; some patients may benefit from a starting dose of 2.5 mg once a day. -In clinical trials, blood pressure lowering effects were seen at 1 week and changed little thereafter. Use: Management of hypertension, alone or with other antihypertensive agents

Warnings

Do not skip doses or stop taking Zebeta without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse or cause other serious heart problems.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medicine.

You should not use Zebeta if you have a serious heart condition such as "AV block," severe heart failure, or slow heartbeats that have caused you to faint.

Keep using Zebeta 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.

What other drugs will affect Zebeta

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

insulin or oral diabetes medicine;

rifampin; or

heart or blood pressure medicine--clonidine, digitalis, digoxin, diltiazem, reserpine, or verapamil.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with bisoprolol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Disclaimer

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