Health Library

Nebivolol (By mouth)

Nebivolol (ne-BIV-oh-lol)

Treats high blood pressure. This medicine is a beta-blocker.

Brand Name(s):

Bystolic

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet.

If a dose is missed:

• Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using digoxin (Digitek®, Lanoxin®), guanethidine (Ismelin®), reserpine, medicine to treat depression (such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, Paxil®, or Prozac®), medicine for heart rhythm problems (such as disopyramide, propafenone, quinidine, Norpace®, or Rhythmol®), or other blood pressure medicine (such as clonidine, diltiazem, verapamil, Calan®, Cardizem®, Cartia®, Catapres®, Isoptin®, Tiazac®, or Verelan®). Tell your doctor if you are also using numbing medicines (such as cyclopropane, ether, or trichloroethylene) or insulin or diabetes medicine that you take by mouth (such as glyburide, metformin, Actos®, or Glucotrol®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have severe chest pain or have had a recent heart attack. Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, blood vessel disease, diabetes, an overactive thyroid, or an adrenal gland tumor called pheochromocytoma. Tell your doctor if you have poor blood flow to your legs and feet, or if you are scheduled for any surgery.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor, or you could develop life-threatening heart problems. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
• This medicine may raise or lower your blood sugar level. If you have diabetes, report any changes in your blood sugar to your doctor.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
• Even if you feel well, do not stop using this medicine without asking your doctor. This medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it will help lower it and keep it down. You may have to take blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Chest pain
• Lightheadedness or fainting
• Rapid weight gain
• Shortness of breath
• Slow or uneven heartbeat
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Headache
• Unusual tiredness or weakness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024