Nebivolol - a beta-blocker

About nebivolol

Nebivolol belongs to the group of medicines known as beta-blockers. It works on the heart and blood vessels. You will have been prescribed nebivolol either because your blood pressure is too high (hypertension), or because your heart is not working as well as it should (heart failure).

Nebivolol slows down the activity of your heart by stopping messages sent by some nerves to your heart. It does this by blocking tiny areas (called beta-adrenergic receptors) where the messages are received by your heart. Nebivolol also widens (relaxes) some blood vessels. These two things together allow the pressure of blood within your blood vessels to be reduced and make it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body.

Before taking nebivolol

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking nebivolol it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si está embarazada, esperando un bebé o en período de lactancia.

• Si tiene algún problema con el funcionamiento del hígado o de los riñones.

• Si padece asma o cualquier otro trastorno respiratorio.

• Si padece diabetes (diabetes mellitus).

• If you have been told you have a slow heartbeat or a slow and irregular heartbeat (heart block).

• If you have been told you have chest pain caused by spasms of your heart's blood vessels, a condition called Prinzmetal's angina.

• Si tienes mala circulación.

• Si tiene un problema cutáneo llamado psoriasis.

• Si padece una enfermedad que causa debilidad muscular, llamada miastenia gravis.

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, así como medicamentos a base de plantas y complementarios.

• Si ha tenido alguna vez una reacción alérgica a un medicamento, o si ha tenido alguna otra reacción alérgica grave.

How to take nebivolol

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about nebivolol and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Nebivolol tablets are available in several different strengths. When starting your treatment your doctor may give you a small dose and then gradually increase the strength of the tablets. Each time you collect a fresh supply of tablets, it's a good idea to check the strength on the packet to make sure they are what you are expecting.

• The usual dose is one tablet each day. Take the tablet exactly as your doctor tells you to.

• Swallow the tablet with a drink of water. You can take nebivolol either before or after a meal. Try to take your doses of nebivolol at the same time each day. This will help you to remember to take it regularly.

• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the following day, skip the forgotten dose. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• Procure acudir a las citas periódicas con su médico. Así podrá comprobar su evolución.

• Treatment with nebivolol can often be long-term. Continue to take the tablets unless your doctor tells you to stop. Stopping treatment suddenly can cause problems in some people, so your doctor may want you to reduce your dose gradually if this becomes necessary.

• If you are due to have an operation or dental treatment, it is important to tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking a beta-blocker. This is because some anaesthetics may increase the risk of unwanted effects.

• If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor for advice about taking nebivolol and alcohol. Alcohol will add to the blood pressure-lowering effect of nebivolol and so may not be advisable for you.

• If you have diabetes, nebivolol can block the symptoms of low blood sugar. Your doctor will advise you about this.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable for you to take. Some medicines (including some cough, cold and flu remedies) may not be.

• Es posible que su médico le dé consejos dietéticos y de estilo de vida sobre cómo seguir una dieta sana, no fumar y hacer ejercicio con regularidad. Si es así, es importante que siga los consejos que le den.

Can nebivolol cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with nebivolol. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Si experimenta cualquier otro síntoma que crea que puede deberse a los comprimidos, hable con su médico o farmacéutico para que le aconsejen.

How to store nebivolol

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos