Nebiwolol

What is Nebivolol?

Nebivolol is a prescription medicine that belongs to a group of medicines called beta blockers. It is mainly used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and may also be prescribed for certain patients with chronic heart failure.

Beta blockers work by affecting how your heart responds to stress hormones such as adrenaline. By slowing your heart rate and relaxing blood vessels, Nebivolol helps reduce strain on your heart.

High blood pressure often has no noticeable symptoms, but over time it increases your risk of serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke and kidney damage. Nebivolol helps lower blood pressure and reduce these long-term risks.

What is it used for?

Nebivolol is used to treat:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Chronic heart failure (in selected patients, usually older adults)

High blood pressure

High blood pressure means that the force of blood pushing against your artery walls is consistently too high. If left untreated, this can damage blood vessels and organs.

Chronic heart failure

Heart failure does not mean your heart has stopped working. It means your heart is not pumping blood as effectively as it should. Nebivolol can help improve heart function and reduce symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue.

Nebivolol is often used alone or together with other blood pressure medicines.

How does the product work?

Nebivolol works by blocking beta-1 receptors in your heart. These receptors normally respond to adrenaline and increase your heart rate and blood pressure.

By blocking these receptors, Nebivolol:

• Slows down your heart rate
• Reduces the force of heart contractions
• Lowers blood pressure
• Decreases strain on the heart

Nebivolol also has a unique additional effect compared to some older beta blockers. It helps stimulate the release of nitric oxide, a natural substance that relaxes blood vessels. This improves blood flow and contributes to blood pressure reduction.

Because of this dual action, Nebivolol is sometimes considered more selective and better tolerated than traditional beta blockers.

Who should not use the product?

You should not use Nebivolol if:

• You are allergic to nebivolol
• You have severe liver impairment
• You have very slow heart rate (bradycardia)
• You have certain heart rhythm disorders
• You have untreated heart failure that is unstable
• You have very low blood pressure
• You have severe circulation problems

Nebivolol may not be suitable if you have asthma or certain lung diseases, as beta blockers can sometimes worsen breathing symptoms.

Always inform your doctor about your full medical history before starting treatment.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, speak to a doctor before using Nebivolol. Beta blockers can affect blood flow to the placenta and may influence the baby’s growth.

Nebivolol may pass into breast milk. You should consult a doctor before breastfeeding while using this medication.

How to use and dosage

Always take Nebivolol exactly as prescribed.

For high blood pressure, the usual starting dose is:

• 5 mg once daily (dose may vary depending on your situation)

For chronic heart failure, treatment is usually started at a lower dose and gradually increased under medical supervision.

Take the tablet:

• Once daily
• At the same time each day
• With or without food
• Swallow with water

Do not stop taking Nebivolol suddenly, as this can worsen heart symptoms. If treatment needs to be stopped, your doctor will gradually reduce the dose.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, Nebivolol may cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them.

Common side effects include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Slow heart rate
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath

Less common but more serious side effects may include:

• Severe slowing of heart rate
• Low blood pressure
• Worsening heart failure
• Allergic reactions

Because Nebivolol slows the heart rate, you may feel tired or lightheaded when starting treatment. These symptoms often improve as your body adjusts.

Seek medical attention if you experience fainting, severe dizziness, swelling of the legs, or worsening breathing problems.

Important safety information

Before starting Nebivolol, tell your doctor if you:

• Have asthma or chronic lung disease
• Have diabetes (beta blockers can mask symptoms of low blood sugar)
• Have thyroid problems
• Have circulation problems
• Have kidney or liver disease
• Have a history of depression

If you have diabetes, Nebivolol may hide warning signs of low blood sugar, such as a fast heartbeat. Regular monitoring may be required.

Nebivolol can interact with other heart medicines, calcium channel blockers, antiarrhythmic drugs and certain antidepressants.

Regular blood pressure checks are important while taking this medication.

When to seek medical help

Seek urgent medical attention if you experience:

• Severe dizziness or fainting
• Chest pain
• Extremely slow heartbeat
• Severe shortness of breath
• Signs of an allergic reaction (swelling of face, lips or throat)

Contact your doctor if:

• Your symptoms worsen
• You develop new swelling in your legs
• You feel persistent fatigue
• Your blood pressure remains uncontrolled

If you are unsure whether your symptoms are related to your blood pressure treatment, you can book a secure video consultation with a licensed doctor via Transtoyou for personalised advice. If symptoms are severe or sudden, seek urgent medical care immediately.