Posology and method of administration
Hypertension and angina pectoris: Treatment is initiated with 5 mg daily; the usual dose is 10 mg. If effects are insufficient, the dose may be increased up to 20 mg daily. In patients with severe hepatic and renal impairment (creatinine clearance under 20 ml/min) the daily dose of 10 mg should not be exceeded. Stable chronic heart failure: Bisoprolol treatment should be initiated by titrating the dose as follows: 1.25 mg daily for 1 week; if well tolerated increase to 2.5 mg daily for a further week; if well tolerated increase to 3.75 mg daily for a further week; if well tolerated increase to 5 mg daily for the 4 following weeks; if well tolerated increase to 7.5 mg daily for the following 4 weeks; if well tolerated increase to 10 mg daily for the maintenance therapy. The maximum recommended dose is 10 mg daily. Bisoprolol is taken in the morning on empty stomach or with a meal and is washed down with a sufficient amount of liquid.
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to bisoprolol or any excipient, acute cardiac failure or decompensated heart failure requiring i.v. inotropic therapy, cardiogenic shock, 2nd or 3rd degree AV block (without pacemaker), sick sinus syndrome, sinoatrial block, bradycardia, hypotension, severe bronchial asthma or chronic obstruction pulmonary diseases (COPD), severe form of lower limb ischemia or severe Rynaud’s syndrome, pheochromocytoma (apart from the previous therapy by alpha receptor blockers), metabolic acidosis. The medicinal product should not be administered during pregnancy and lactation.
Interactions
Bisoprolol exacerbates hypotension in concomitant use with other antihypertensive agents. Combination with calcium antagonists of the verapamil type or some antiarrhythmics may induce bradycardia and decreased contractility. Concomitant use with centrally acting antihypertensive drugs (clonidine, methyldopa, moxonidine, rilmenidine) may result in decreased heart rate and cardiac output. Combination with calcium antagonists of the dihydropyridin type (e.g., nifedipine, amlodipine) may result in hypotension. Digitalis glycosides may lead to a delayed transmission of cardiac excitation resulting in slower heart rate.
Undesirable effects
Vertigo, headaches, feelings of cold or insensitive limbs, bradycardia, deteriorated existing cardiac failure, hypotension, constipation, diarrhoea, nausea, depression, sleeping disorders, asthenia.
Special warnings and precautions for use
Bisoprolol may cover symptoms of hypoglycemia (tachycardia, palpitation, sweating) and thyrotoxicosis. Caution is required in patients with psoriasis, Prinzmetal’s angina, restrictive cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, in ongoing desensibilisation therapy. Prior to surgical intervention in genral anesthesia it is necessary to inform anesthesiologist of bisoprolol treatment. Bisoprolol treatment must be terminated by downtitrating the dose.
For more detailed product information, see the Summary of Product Characteristics.