Bystolic

Bystolic Medication Information

What Is Bystolic?

Bystolic^® (nebivolol) is a prescription medication approved to treat high blood pressure (known medically as hypertension). It can be used alone or in combination with other high blood pressure medications.

(Click Bystolic Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)

Who Makes It?

Bystolic is made by Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

How Does It Work?

Bystolic belongs to a group of drugs called beta-adrenergic blocking agents, more often known as

beta blockers. As the name implies, these medications block beta receptors in the body. Beta receptors are located in a number of places within the body, including the heart and blood vessels. Stress hormones (such as adrenaline) bind to these receptors and cause certain reactions in the body, such as:

Increased heart rate
Increased force with which the heart pumps blood
Higher blood pressure (both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure)
Constricted blood vessels.

At lower doses in most people, Bystolic helps to block a specific type of beta receptor called beta-1 receptors (at higher doses, it also blocks beta-2 receptors). By blocking beta-1 receptors, Bystolic causes the reverse effect of stress hormones. It decreases heart rate and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Clinical Effects of Bystolic

Bystolic has been thoroughly evaluated in clinical studies. These studies showed that it reduced systolic blood pressure by up to 11.7 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by up to 8.3 mmHg, on average, in people with mild to moderate high blood pressure. One study also showed that Bystolic can provide a further reduction when added to other blood pressure medications.

When and How to Take Bystolic

Some general considerations for those taking Bystolic include the following:

Bystolic comes in tablet form. It is usually taken by mouth once a day.
You can take it with a meal or on an empty stomach. If the medication seems to bother your stomach, try taking it with food.
You can take Bystolic at any time of the day. However, it is best to take it at the same time each day.
For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Bystolic will not work if you stop taking it.
In general, this medication should not be stopped suddenly, as serious problems (including heart attacks) may result.

Dosing Information

The dose of Bystolic your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:

The severity of your high blood pressure
How you respond to the medication
Other medications you are taking
Other medical conditions you have.

As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.

(Click Bystolic Dosage for more information.)

Side Effects of Bystolic

As with any medicine, Bystolic may cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.

Some of the most common side effects of Bystolic include but are not limited to:

Headaches
Fatigue
Dizziness
Nausea.

(Click Bystolic Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)

Drug Interactions

Bystolic can potentially interact with a number of other medications (see Bystolic Interactions).

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Bystolic if you have:

Liver disease, such as liver failure, cirrhosis, or hepatitis
Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure)
Diabetes
Chest pain (angina)
Heart failure
A recent history of heart attack
Asthma
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Hyperthyroidism
Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
A pheochromocytoma
An upcoming surgery
Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.

Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:

Pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant (see Bystolic and Pregnancy)
Breastfeeding (see Bystolic and Breastfeeding).

Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

(Click Bystolic Warnings and Precautions to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)

Overdose Information

An overdose is likely to cause dangerously low blood pressure (hypotension), a slow heart rate (bradycardia), and numerous other serious problems. If you happen to overdose on Bystolic, seek immediate medical attention.

(Click Bystolic Overdose for more information.)

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Bystolic?

If you forget to take your dose of Bystolic, simply skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.

Available Strengths

Bystolic tablets come in the following strengths:

Bystolic 2.5 mg
Bystolic 5 mg
Bystolic 10 mg.

Is There a Generic Version of Bystolic?

Currently, Bystolic is not available in generic form (see Generic Bystolic for more information).