Zebeta Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Zebeta Tablet (bisoprolol) is a cardioselective beta blocker used to treat high blood pressure. The Zebeta brand has been discontinued in the U.S., but the generic bisoprolol is still available. It works by blocking certain heart receptors that respond to stress hormones, slowing the heart rate and reducing the heart's workload. It is available as 5 mg and 10 mg oral tablets.

What is Zebeta Tablet

Zebeta was a brand-name beta-blocker medicine used to treat high blood pressure. The brand has been discontinued in the U.S., but the generic version, bisoprolol, is still available.

Zebeta Tablet uses

• Treats high blood pressure (hypertension)
• May be used for other conditions not listed here, as decided by your doctor

Benefits of Zebeta Tablet

Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.

How Zebeta Tablet works

This medicine blocks certain receptors in the heart that normally respond to stress hormones like adrenaline, which make the heart beat faster and harder. By blocking these receptors, the medicine slows the heart rate and reduces the workload on the heart, which helps lower blood pressure.

Zebeta Tablet dosage

Take by mouth with or without food, as directed by your doctor, usually once a day. Take it at the same time each day to help you remember. Keep taking this medicine regularly even if you feel well, since high blood pressure often has no symptoms. It may take several weeks before you feel the full benefit for high blood pressure.

Do not skip doses or stop taking it suddenly without talking to your doctor first, since stopping suddenly may worsen your condition or cause serious heart problems. If your doctor decides you should stop, they may have you lower the dose gradually over one to two weeks.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for your next dose; do not double up.

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Available forms and strengths

• 5 mg oral tablets
• 10 mg oral tablets

Side effects of Zebeta Tablet

Common

• Headache
• Feeling tired
• Sleep problems (insomnia)
• Joint pain
• Swelling
• Cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, runny nose, cough, sore throat
• Slow heartbeat
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness

Serious

• Shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain
• Slow heart rate
• Pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest
• Numbness, tingling, or cold feeling in your hands or feet
• A light-headed feeling, like you might pass out
• Eye pain, vision problems
• Bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing)
• Signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Fainting
• Blue fingers/toes
• Mental or mood changes such as confusion, mood swings, depression

Warnings and precautions

• Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor, as this can make your condition worse or cause serious heart problems like chest pain or heart attack. Do not use this medicine if you have certain serious heart conditions, such as a heart block, severe heart failure, cardiogenic shock, or slow heartbeats that have caused you to faint.
• If you need any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medicine. Get up slowly from sitting or lying down, since standing up too fast can cause dizziness and lead to a fall.
• This medicine can hide the warning signs of low blood sugar, such as a fast heartbeat, which is especially important for people with diabetes to know. This medicine may reduce blood flow to your hands and feet, making them feel cold; smoking can make this worse, so dress warmly and avoid tobacco.
• It is not known whether this medicine is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, so you can discuss the risks and benefits. It is also not known whether this medicine passes into breast milk or could harm a nursing baby, so talk to your doctor before breastfeeding.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease or liver disease before taking this medicine. Avoid drinking alcohol, as it can increase some side effects of this medicine, such as dizziness. This medicine may affect your thinking, alertness, or reactions, so be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert until you know how this medicine affects you.

Storage

• Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat
• Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use
• Store in a cool, dry place, in a tightly closed container, protected from moisture and light
• Do not store in the bathroom
• Keep all medications away from children and pets
• Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so; properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as rash, itching or swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.
• Call your doctor right away if you have a very slow heartbeat, fainting, blue fingers or toes, or mental/mood changes such as confusion, mood swings, or depression.
• Tell your doctor right away if you have shortness of breath, swelling in your ankles or feet, unusual tiredness, or sudden weight gain, which could be signs of worsening heart failure.
• If you suddenly stop this medicine and develop chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to the jaw, neck, or arm, unusual sweating, trouble breathing, or a fast or irregular heartbeat, get medical help right away.
• If someone has taken too much of this medicine and has serious symptoms like passing out or trouble breathing, call for emergency help right away. Otherwise, contact a poison control center for guidance.

Alternatives

• Carvedilol
• Nebivolol
• Atenolol
• Metoprolol