Bisoprolol Advice

[CS263]

Can anyone help with advice on Bisoprolol 1.25mg.  My Father has been taking this for just over 12 months due to a heart attack & having 2 stents.  He was started on in Nov 2010 but since June 2011 has been having problems coldness & numbness in his fingers & toes which is now getting to the extent he can hardly feel them.  He has been under a doctor at the hospital ?vascular, who has carried out numerous tests ie. CT scan, nerve ending test, to name a few & all are clear.  We are convinced it is due to the Bisoprolol.  His GP tried him on Isosorbide Mononitrate 10mg but this had to be stopped as caused him to pass out.
Can anyone help or offer advice.
Thanks

[ed34]

He was on Bisoprolol for a considerable amount of time before any symptoms began, so I would doubt if this is the issue, especially as tests have revealed no heart issues. 1.25mg is a low dose but on the other hand bisoprolol is a powerful beta blocker. I was on 1.25mg for years and had no issues except when they recommended I increase to 5mg and then my heart rate dropped to mid 20's. I did find that bisoprolol did very little for blood pressure, I had to take Ramipril on top for that. It sounds more like a nerve issue to me which can cause numbness/cold/tingling/pain.

[erijon]

Bisoprolol is a beta blocker that works by slowing down the heart rate and relaxing the blood vessels.  It can certainly cause the sensations you describe by slowing the heart rate to the point that his circulation to his extremities is impaired. There are many options for BP meds, you should discuss them with his doctor. There is also a class of drugs called ARBs that also work by relaxing the blood vessels and are a bit more effective at doing so without slowing the heart rate. You may want to ask about these next time he sees his doctor. However, his doctor has selected this med by weighing the risk versus the benefit and you need to understand why he selected the drug he did.

Hope this helps,

Jon