What is nebivolol?
Nebivolol is in a group of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and
circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins).
Nebivolol is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).
Nebivolol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking nebivolol?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to nebivolol or if you have:
Before taking nebivolol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any
drugs, or if you have:
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asthma, bronchitis, emphysema;
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liver or kidney disease;
-
diabetes;
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a thyroid disorder;
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problems with circulation (such as Raynaud's syndrome);
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pheochromocytoma; or
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if you have recently had a heart attack.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use
nebivolol, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether nebivolol passes into breast milk or if it could harm a
nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
How should I take nebivolol?
Take nebivolol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Take nebivolol at the same time every day. You may take the medication with or without
food.
Do not skip doses or stop taking nebivolol without first talking to your doctor.
Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse or cause other serious heart problems such as
severe chest pain or heart attack. You may need to use less and less before you stop the
medication completely.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be
checked on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are
using nebivolol. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Nebivolol is only part of a complete program of treatment for hypertension that may also
include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines
very closely if you are being treated for hypertension.
Hypertension often has no symptoms, so you may not even feel that you have high blood
pressure. Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. You may need to use
blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Store nebivolol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of nebivolol?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about nebivolol?
Your pharmacist has information about nebivolol written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of nebivolol?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
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swelling of your ankles or feet;
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slow or uneven heartbeats; or
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numbness or cold feeling in your hands and feet.
Less serious side effects may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about nebivolol?
Do not skip doses or stop taking nebivolol without first talking to your doctor.
Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse or cause other serious heart problems such as
severe chest pain or heart attack. You may need to use less and less before you stop the
medication completely.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are
using nebivolol. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Nebivolol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Nebivolol is only part of a complete program of treatment for hypertension that may also
include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines
very closely if you are being treated for hypertension.
Hypertension often has no symptoms, so you may not even feel that you have high blood
pressure. Continue using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. You may need to use
blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
What should I avoid while taking nebivolol?
Nebivolol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
What other drugs will affect nebivolol?
Before taking nebivolol, tell your doctor if you are using:
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digitalis (digoxin, Lanoxin);
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clonidine (Catapres);
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reserpine;
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guanethidine (Ismelin);
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a heart medication such as nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat),
reserpine (Serpasil), verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Isoptin), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem);
-
heart rhythm medicine such as amiodarone (Cordarone,
Pacerone), disopyramide (Norpace), procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl), propafenone (Rythmol),
quinidine (Quinidex, Quin-Release Quin-G), and others;
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an antidepressant such as fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine
(Paxil), and others; or
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another beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin),
bisoprolol (Zebeta), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol),
propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), or timolol (Blocadren), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with nebivolol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you
use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors.
Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of nebivolol?