Nebivolol

Nebivolol is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Nebivolol is in a class of medications called beta blockers. It works by relaxing blood vessels and slowing heart rate to improve blood flow and decrease blood pressure.

High blood pressure is a common condition and when not treated, can cause damage to the brain, heart, blood vessels, kidneys and other parts of the body. Damage to these organs may cause heart disease, a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, loss of vision, and other problems. In addition to taking medication, making lifestyle changes will also help to control your blood pressure. These changes include eating a diet that is low in fat and salt, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising at least 30 minutes most days, not smoking, and using alcohol in moderation.

🔔 How should this medicine be used?

Nebivolol comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food once a day. To help you remember to take nebivolol, take it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take nebivolol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Your doctor may start you on a low dose of nebivolol and gradually increase your dose not more than once every 2 weeks. Talk to your doctor about how you feel and about any symptoms you experience during this time.

Nebivolol controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. It may take 2 weeks before the full benefit of nebivolol is seen in blood pressure readings. Continue to take nebivolol even if you feel well. Do not stop taking nebivolol without talking to your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking nebivolol it may cause angina (chest pain), heart attack, or irregular heartbeat. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually over 1 to 2 weeks. Your doctor will watch you carefully and will probably tell you to avoid physical activity during this time.

🔔 Other uses for this medicine

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Preventable medical errors kill about 22,000 patients a year, according to research from the Yale School of Medicine. That’s much less than a previously reported number of 250,000 deaths a year where medical error is to blame.

🔔 What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking nebivolol,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to nebivolol, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in nebivolol 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 or plan to take while taking nebivolol. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have a slow or irregular heart rate, liver disease, or heart failure. Your doctor may tell you not to take nebivolol.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma or other lung diseases, diabetes, hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland), problems with blood circulation, kidney disease, or pheochromocytoma (a tumor that develops on a gland near the kidneys and may cause high blood pressure and fast heart rate). Also tell your doctor if you have ever had a serious allergic reaction to a food or any other substance.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking nebivolol, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking nebivolol.
• you should know that nebivolol may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
• you should know that nebivolol may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and prevent the warning signs and symptoms that would tell you that your blood sugar is low. Let your doctor know if you are unable to eat or drink normally or are vomiting while you are taking nebivolol. You should know the symptoms of low blood sugar and what to do if you have these symptoms.
• you should know that if you have allergic reactions to different substances, your reactions may be worse while you are using nebivolol, and your allergic reactions may not respond to the usual doses of injectable epinephrine.

🔔 What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.