Nebivolol
About Nebivolol
Nebivolol belongs to the group of medicines called beta-blockers used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Nebivolol is also used to treat mild to moderate heart failure in patients aged 70 years and older, in addition to other therapies. High blood pressure is a health condition characterised by elevated blood pressure in the blood vessels. The blood exerts elevated pressure on the walls of blood vessels, leading to hypertension. Heart failure occurs when the heart isn't able to pump sufficient blood to the remaining parts of the body.
Nebivolol contains Nebivolol, which relaxes and widens the blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump blood to all parts of the body. This helps in decreasing blood pressure and the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Nebivolol helps prevent an increased heart rate and regulates the strength of the heart's pumping action.
You are advised to take Nebivolol for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects such as headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, low blood pressure, diarrhoea, unusual itching or tingling sensation, constipation, swollen feet, and hands. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, it is recommended that you consult your doctor if you experience any of these side effects persistently.
Regular monitoring of blood pressure, electrolyte levels, and kidney functioning is advised while taking Nebivolol. You are advised to follow a low-sodium and low-fat diet while taking Nebivolol. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Nebivolol is not recommended for children as efficacy and safety have not been established. Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Nebivolol as it might lower the blood pressure than usual. Keep your doctor informed about all the medicines you are taking and your health condition to rule out any unpleasant side effects.
Uses of Nebivolol
Medicinal Benefits
- Nebivolol contains Nebivolol, a beta-blocker that primarily acts on the heart and blood vessels.
- It works by slowing the heart rate and relaxing blood vessels, which helps the heart pump more efficiently.
- It helps lower high blood pressure, improves blood flow, supports heart function in elderly patients with heart failure, and reduces the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other heart-related complications.
- It may also help reduce symptoms such as tiredness, shortness of breath, and swelling in the legs or ankles in patients with heart failure.
Directions for Use
- Nebivolol can be taken with or without food.
- It is recommended to take Nebivolol once daily or as advised by your doctor.
- Swallow Nebivolol as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not chew, crush, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Nebivolol
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Low blood pressure
- Diarrhea
- Unusual itching or tingling sensation
- Constipation
- Swollen feet and hands
Drug Warnings
- Do not take Nebivolol if you are allergic to Nebivolol or any of its ingredients.
- Inform your doctor about your complete medical history, especially if you have heart rhythm disorders, liver or kidney problems, asthma, diabetes, circulation issues, or an overactive thyroid.
- Consult your doctor before using Nebivolol if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, as it may affect the baby’s heart rate, growth, or nursing safety.
- Use caution if you are taking medications for high blood pressure, heart conditions, antidepressants, or other medicines that can slow your heart rate, as interactions may occur.
- Avoid alcohol while taking Nebivolol, as it may enhance side effects such as dizziness or low blood pressure.
- Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal medicines you are taking to prevent possible drug interactions.
- Let your doctor know if you are scheduled for any surgery, including dental procedures, as Nebivolol may interfere with anaesthesia or your heart’s response to stress.
- Nebivolol is not recommended for use in children, as its safety and effectiveness have not been established.
- Rise slowly from a sitting or lying position to prevent dizziness or fainting, as Nebivolol may cause sudden drops in blood pressure.
- Regular monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate, kidney function, and blood sugar levels may be advised while using Nebivolol.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Nebivolol may interact with pain killers (aspirin, ibuprofen), diuretics (chlorthalidone, indapamide, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), anti-hypertensives (amlodipine, valsartan), PDE5 inhibitors (tadalafil, sildenafil), anxiolytics (alprazolam, diazepam), drugs used to treat heart problems (digoxin, epinephrine).
Drug-Food Interactions: Maintain low salt and low-fat diet while taking Nebivolol. Avoid alcohol consumption while taking Nebivolol as it might lower the blood pressure than normal. Avoid foods containing high cholesterol while taking Nebivolol.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have diabetes, hypersensitivity, liver impairment, high cholesterol, hyperthyroidism, psoriasis, kidney impairment, asthma, heart problems such as bradyarrhythmia, cardiogenic shock, low blood pressure, fast heart rate, ischemic heart disease, or congestive heart failure.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Nebivolol to avoid unpleasant side-effects. Alcohol intake might cause increased dizziness and also might lower blood pressure than normal.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this; your doctor will prescribe you Nebivolol only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
unsafeIt is not recommended to take Nebivolol while you are breastfeeding. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Driving
cautionNebivolol may cause dizziness and weakness, do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Nebivolol should be used with caution in patients with liver impairment/liver disease. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Nebivolol should be used with caution in patients with kidney impairment/kidney disease. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeNebivolol should not be used by children, as efficacy and safety have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Following a healthy diet and lifestyle plays a key role in controlling blood pressure and supporting heart function.
- Limit salt intake to less than 2 grams per day to help control blood pressure and reduce fluid retention.
- Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats like nuts and olive oil.
- Avoid processed, packaged, and fried foods, which are often high in sodium and unhealthy fats.
- Follow your doctor’s advice on fluid intake, especially if you have heart failure, to prevent swelling and breathing difficulty.
- Limit or avoid alcohol, as it can interfere with Nebivolol and increase blood pressure.
- Quit smoking and stay away from tobacco in any form to protect your heart and blood vessels.
- Stay physically active with 30 minutes of moderate exercise, like walking or cycling, most days of the week.
- Check your weight daily, report any sudden gain of more than 2 kg in 2–3 days to your doctor.
- Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation to manage stress, which can affect heart health.
- Take Nebivolol exactly as prescribed, at the same time each day, and do not stop or change the dose without consulting your doctor.
Special Advise
- Monitor your blood pressure regularly to avoid episodes of low blood pressure (hypotension).
- Rise slowly from a sitting or lying position, as Nebivolol may cause dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Your doctor may recommend periodic tests to check kidney function and potassium levels while you are on Nebivolol.
- Maintain a gap of at least two hours between taking Nebivolol and any multivitamins or mineral supplements, as they may reduce the effectiveness of the medicine.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
High blood pressure (hypertension): It is a condition in which the blood exerts increased pressure on the walls of blood vessels leading to hypertension. This condition can lead to hardened arteries (blood vessels), decreasing the blood and oxygen flow to the heart. Raised blood pressure can cause chest pain (angina) and heart attack (when blood supply to the heart is blocked). Additionally, high blood pressure also causes brain damage (stroke) and kidney failure. Symptoms of high blood pressure include headache, dizziness, nose bleed, changes in vision, chest pain, weakness and dyspnoea (shortness of breath). However, most of the time, the signs and symptoms of hypertension are none.
FAQs
Nebivolol is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). It is also used to treat mild to moderate heart failure in patients aged 70 years and older in addition to other therapies.
Nebivolol relaxes and widens the blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump blood to all parts of the body. This helps in decreasing blood pressure and the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
If you have diabetes, you should monitor your blood glucose levels often as Nebivolol might mask hypoglycemia symptoms (low glucose levels). However, please consult your doctor before taking Nebivolol if you have diabetes.
If you have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), you should monitor your condition regularly, as Nebivolol might mask hyperthyroidism symptoms such as abnormally fast heart rate. However, please consult your doctor before taking Nebivolol if you have hyperthyroidism.
Please do not stop taking Nebivolol without consulting your doctor, as it may lead to a rise in blood pressure. Continue taking Nebivolol for as long as your doctor has prescribed it to you. Do not hesitate to consult your doctor if you experience any difficulties while taking Nebivolol.
Yes, Nebivolol may cause swelling of the hands, feet, or lower legs in some people. This swelling is usually due to fluid retention (oedema), which is a known but uncommon side effect of the medicine. If you notice unusual swelling, sudden weight gain, or difficulty breathing while taking Nebivolol, consult your doctor immediately, as these may be signs of worsening heart function or a reaction to the medication.
Do not overdose on Nebivolol or any medicine, which could lead to very unpleasant side effects. Take Nebivolol only as prescribed by your doctor. An overdose of Nebivolol can cause a very slow heartbeat, low blood pressure, breathlessness, and acute heart failure. Rush to your nearest doctor as early as possible if you have overdosed on Nebivolol.
Follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption. Manage stress by doing meditation. Cut down on salt and saturated foods.
Nebivolol can be taken independently of meals. Take it at the same time daily or as advised by the doctor.
Yes, Nebivolol is a beta-blocker, a medicine that helps treat high blood pressure.
It takes 2 weeks to notice the full benefit of Nebivolol in blood pressure readings.
Taking Nebivolol with ibuprofen may lower the effect of Nebivolol in reducing blood pressure. Consult the doctor before taking ibuprofen with Nebivolol. The doctor may adjust the dose to safely use both medicines.
Nebivolol can be used safely in old-age patients if prescribed by the doctor.
No, Nebivolol does not cause weight gain. Maintain proper weight with healthy food and regular exercise. Consult the doctor if you notice weight gain as it could be due to other conditions.
Yes, Nebivolol is lipophilic in nature and can cross the blood-brain barrier.
Using beta-blockers like Nebivolol during the third trimester may increase the risk of neonatal hypotension, slow heart rate, low blood sugar, and respiratory depression. Therefore, Nebivolol should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
Yes, Nebivolol may cause fatigue (tiredness). Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how the medicine affects you.
Side effects of Nebivolol include headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, shortness of breath, low blood pressure, diarrhoea, unusual itching or tingling sensation, constipation, and swollen feet, and hands. Talk to your doctor if you experience any of these side effects persistently.