Nebivolol (By mouth)

Brand Name(s)

Bystolic

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

Introduction

Nebivolol (ne-BIV-oh-lol)

Treats high blood pressure. A lower blood pressure will reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack. This medicine is a beta-blocker.

How to Use This Medicine

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use 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• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.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 away from children and 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, or it may cover up symptoms of very low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). If you have diabetes, report any changes in your blood sugar to your doctor.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.
• 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 need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to 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