Zebeta : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More
Why is this medication prescribed?
Zebeta (Bisoprolol) is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Zebeta is in a class of medications called beta blockers. It works by relaxing blood vessels and slowing the heart rate to improve and lower blood pressure.
High blood pressure is a common condition, and when left untreated, it can damage the brain, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and other parts of the body. Damage to these organs can cause heart disease, a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, loss of vision, and other problems. In addition to taking medicine, making lifestyle changes will also help control your blood pressure. These changes include eating a diet low in fat and salt, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising for at least 30 minutes most days, not smoking, and consuming alcohol in moderation.
How should this medicine be used?
Zebeta (Bisoprolol) comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day. To remind you to take Zebeta, take it at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any parts you don’t understand. Take Zebeta exactly as directed. Do not take more or less or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor will likely prescribe a low dose of Zebeta and gradually increase it.
Zebeta controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. It may take a few weeks before you feel the full benefit of Zebeta. Keep taking Zebeta even if you feel fine. Do not stop taking Zebeta without consulting your doctor. Stopping Zebeta suddenly can cause angina (chest pain), heart attack, or irregular heartbeat. Your doctor will likely reduce your dose gradually.
Other uses for this medicine
Zebeta is also sometimes used to treat heart failure. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.
This medicine may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking Zebeta,
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Zebeta, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in Zebeta tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
- Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Cartia XT, Dilacor XR, Tiazac, others) and verapamil (Calan, Covera-HS, Verelan, in Tarka); clonidine (Catapres, Kapvay, in Clorpres); medicines for irregular heartbeats, such as disopyramide (Norpace); other beta blockers; reserpine; and rifampicin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you closely for side effects.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma or other lung diseases; a slow heart rate; heart failure; heart, liver, or kidney disease; diabetes; severe allergies; circulatory problems; or hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland).
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking Zebeta, call your doctor.
- If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Zebeta.
- You should know that Zebeta can make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.
- Remember that alcohol can increase the drowsiness caused by this drug.
- You should know that if you have allergic reactions to different substances, your reactions may get worse while using Zebeta and your allergic reactions may not respond to the usual doses of injectable epinephrine.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
If your doctor prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet, follow these directions carefully.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for the one you forgot.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Zebeta may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- excessive tiredness
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- muscle aches
- runny nose
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:
- shortness of breath
- swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- unusual weight gain
- fainting
Zebeta may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medicine.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor can submit a report online to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Keep this medicine in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
It is important to keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children, as many containers (such as those containing weekly pills and those for eye drops, creams, patches and inhalers) are not child-resistant and small children can easily open them. To protect young children from poisoning, always close the safety caps and immediately place the medicine in a safe place, one that is upright and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org
Unnecessary medications must be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and others cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medicine down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medications is through a drug take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage / recycling department to find out about take-back programs in your community. Check out the FDA drug safe disposal website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or cannot wake up, immediately call 911 for emergency services.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
- swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- unusual weight gain
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- dizziness
- fainting
- shakiness
- sweating
- confusion
- blurred vision
- headache
- numbness or tingling of the mouth
- weakness
- extreme tiredness
- sudden hunger
- pale color
What other information should I know?
Keep all your appointments with your doctor. Your blood pressure should be checked regularly to determine your response to Zebeta. Your doctor may ask you to check your pulse (heart rate). Ask your pharmacist or doctor to teach you how to take your pulse. If your pulse is faster or slower than it should, call your doctor.
Do not let anyone else take your medicine. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important that you keep a written list of all prescription and over-the-counter (over-the-counter) medications you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should take this list with you every time you visit a doctor or if you go into hospital. It is also important information to take with you in case of emergencies.
Brand Names
- Zebeta®
Disclaimer: DrLinex has made every effort to ensure that all information is factually accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a licensed health care professional’s choice of knowledge and expertise. You should always consult your doctor or other health care professional before taking any medication. The information given here is subject to change and it has not been used to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or adverse effects. The lack of warning or other information for any drug does not indicate that the combination of medicine or medication is safe, effective or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.