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Bystolic (nebivolol) is a beta blocker primarily used to treat hypertension. The medication works by slowing the rate at which the heart beats while simultaneously relaxing blood vessels, allowing blood to flow easier. This reduces the heart's workload and reduces risk of serious complications associated with high blood pressure, such as kidney damage, heart attack, and stroke.

Taking Control of Hypertension

Bystolic and other beta-blockers are typically prescribed when milder hypertension treatments have failed to manage the high blood pressure on their own. Other medications, such as diuretics, calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors, are commonly taken along with Bystolic, though it's also not unusual for Bystolic to be sufficient on its own; the ideal combination of medications for each individual should be determined by a doctor. Note that taking more than one beta-blocker at the same time can have very serious consequences.

Dosage ranges from 2.5 mg to 40 mg per day. Patients are usually started on 5 mg per day; individuals with other medical conditions or taking certain other medications may be started on 2.5 mg. If the starting 5 mg per day dosage doesn't produce significant results dosage may be increased by 5 mg every two weeks, up to 40 mg per day, though the majority of patients will not require such a high dose.

Treatment is simple and the same at all dosage strengths:

• Doses are usually taken once per day; splitting a single dose into two or more smaller doses does not provide any benefit.
• Tablets may be taken with or without food according to personal preference. Taking with food may reduce nausea, if experienced.
• Tablets may be crushed and mixed with food for patients who have difficulty swallowing whole tablets.
• Treatment may continue for as long as it provides benefit and no complications develop.
• Treatment should never be discontinued abruptly; if ending treatment or switching to a different medication dosage should be gradually tapered off over several weeks. Abruptly stopping treatment can cause very serious side effects, including heart attack.

It will take two or three weeks of treatment with Bystolic before full effects can be measured; this is why dosage increases are done at least two weeks apart. Regular checkups will be needed while determining the ideal dosage to measure how the medication is working and to monitor for developing side effects.

Important Precautions

Like most medications Bystolic can cause side effects, and some of them can be potentially dangerous. Certain conditions put patients at increased risk of serious complications; this medication should be used with caution if there is a history of:

• Chronic breathing ailments, such as asthma or COPD
• Blood circulation problems
• Kidney or liver impairment
• Hyperthyroidism
• Mental or mood disorders
• Dependency on medications that contain epinephrine, such as severe allergic reactions treated with epi-pens.

Similarly, drug interactions are a concern with certain other medications, some of which are commonly used to treat the same condition as Bystolic. Check with a doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment if taking:

• Medications that affect heart rhythm
• Calcium channel blockers
• Medications to treat mental or mood disorders
• Medications that affect blood sugar levels

The effects of Bystolic on unborn or nursing babies are unknown; risks versus benefits should be discussed with a doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.