Bisoprolol Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 8, 2024.
Applies to bisoprolol: oral tablet.
Serious side effects of Bisoprolol
Along with its needed effects, bisoprolol may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking bisoprolol:
Less common
- Body aches or pain
- chest pain
- chills
- cough
- difficult or labored breathing
- ear congestion
- fever
- headache
- loss of voice
- nasal congestion
- pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones
- shortness of breath or troubled breathing
- sneezing
- sore throat
- stuffy or runny nose
- tightness in chest
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- wheezing
Rare
- Chest discomfort
- lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
- slow or irregular heartbeat
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking bisoprolol:
Symptoms of overdose
- Anxiety
- blurred vision
- cold sweats
- coma
- confusion
- cool, pale skin
- decreased urine output
- depression
- dilated neck veins
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
- extreme fatigue
- fast heartbeat
- increased hunger
- irregular breathing
- nausea
- nervousness
- nightmares
- noisy breathing
- seizures
- shakiness
- slurred speech
- sweating
- swelling of face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
- weight gain
Other side effects of Bisoprolol
Some side effects of bisoprolol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
- Abnormal or decreased touch sensation
- diarrhea
- difficulty in moving
- lack or loss of strength
- muscle pain or stiffness
- pain in joints
- sleeplessness
- trouble sleeping
- unable to sleep
- vomiting
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to bisoprolol: oral tablet.
General
The more commonly reported side effects observed with this drug are bradycardia, dizziness, and hypotension.[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Very common (10% or more): Bradycardia (up to 15.2%)
Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain, heart failure aggravation, hypotension, cold extremities, peripheral edema, ischemia, conduction disorder, left cardiac failure, palpitation, vein disorder
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Atrioventricular (AV) disturbances, orthostatic hypotension
Frequency not reported: Other rhythm disturbances, claudication[Ref]
Bradycardia occurred as a dose-related event.
Cardiac failure occurred in 18.4% of patients (n=1328) compared with 22.8% of placebo-treated patients (n=1321).[Ref]
Nervous system
Very common (10% or more): Dizziness (up to 13.3%)
Common (1% to 10%): Headache, extremity numbness, cerebrovascular disorder, syncope, hypoesthesia
Frequency not reported: Vertigo, paresthesia, hypoesthesia, hyperesthesia, somnolence, decreased concentration/memory, tremor, taste abnormalities
Postmarketing reports: Unsteadiness[Ref]
Respiratory
Very common (10% or more): Dyspnea (up to 13.8%)
Common (1% to 10%): Pneumonia, bronchitis, coughing, exertional dyspnea, upper respiratory tract infection, respiratory distress, stridor, respiratory tract edema, respiratory tract hemorrhage, sinusitis
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bronchospasm
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Allergic rhinitis[Ref]
Sinusitis occurred as a dose-related event.[Ref]
Immunologic
Very common: Antinuclear antibody (ANA) conversions (up to 15%)
Common (1% to 10%): Viral infection[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Sweating
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Itching, flushing, rash
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Alopecia, psoriasis-like rash, psoriasis exacerbation
Frequency not reported: Acne, eczema, skin irritation, cutaneous vasculitis
Postmarketing reports: Dermatitis, exfoliative dermatitis[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dyspepsia, epigastric pain (not food related), abdominal pain, gastritis, dry mouth
Frequency not reported: Gastric pain, peptic ulcer[Ref]
Diarrhea occurred as a dose-related event.[Ref]
Metabolic
Common (1% to 10%): Purine metabolism disorder, carbohydrate metabolism disturbed, weight changes, cholesterol changes, potassium levels altered, blood lipid changes
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Increased triglycerides
Frequency not reported: Gout
Postmarketing reports: Increased uric acid and glucose[Ref]
Uric acid, serum potassium, glucose, and phosphorus increases associated with use of this drug were not of clinical importance and rarely resulted in discontinuation.[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Common (1% to 10%): Limb pain, myalgia, arthropathy, arthralgia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Muscular weakness, cramps
Frequency not reported: Back pain, neck pain, twitching[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, fatigue, body pain, fever, malaise
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hearing disorders
Frequency not reported: Earache, tinnitus[Ref]
Fatigue and asthenia occurred as dose-related events.[Ref]
Psychiatric
Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia, anxiety
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Sleep disorders, depression
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Nightmares, hallucinations
Frequency not reported: Restlessness[Ref]
Genitourinary
Common (1% to 10%): Urinary tract infection
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Potency disorders
Frequency not reported: Decreased libido, Peyronie's disease, polyuria[Ref]
Hepatic
Common (1% to 10%): Hepatomegaly
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Increased liver enzymes (ALT, AST), hepatitis[Ref]
Transaminase elevations of 1 to 2 times the upper limit of normal were reported in 6.2% of patients, with a multiple occurrence rate of 1.9%. Generally, this increase was the result of underlying disorders or resolved with continued use of this drug.[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hypersensitivity
Postmarketing reports: Angioedema[Ref]
Of the 15% of patients who developed positive ANA status, one-third of patients converted back to a negative titer with continued use.[Ref]
Ocular
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Reduced tear flow
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Conjunctivitis
Frequency not reported: Visual disturbances, ocular pain, ocular pressure[Ref]
Renal
Frequency not reported: Cystitis, renal colic
Postmarketing reports: Increased creatinine and BUN[Ref]
Creatinine and BUN were associated with slightly increased levels, but these effects were generally not of clinical importance and rarely resulted in discontinuation.[Ref]
Hematologic
Postmarketing reports: Purpura, decreases in WBC and platelets[Ref]
During treatment with this drug, decreased levels of WBCs and platelets were not of clinical importance and rarely resulted in discontinuation.[Ref]
Frequently asked questions
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References
1. (2001) "Product Information. Zebeta (bisoprolol)." Lederle Laboratories
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.