People who used a common medication for their heart and circulation conditions have been warned of some serious side-effects they need to know about. Across the UK there are millions of people who take beta-blockers as treatment for heart and circulatory diseases.
Every year there are more than 50 million prescriptions for the drug are issued. These are to treat people with everything from blood pressure and heart rate issues to conditions affecting the brain and nervous system. The beta-blocker most commonly chosen by doctors is Bisoprolol which, according to NHS England, is the seventh most prescribed medication in the country.
Figures for 2024-25 show it was prescribed 32 million times throughout the year in England alone. According to the NHS: "If you have high blood pressure, taking bisoprolol helps prevent future heart disease, heart attacks and strokes.
"Bisoprolol is also used to prevent chest pain caused by angina. It's also used to treat atrial fibrillation and other conditions that cause an irregular heartbeat. It works by slowing down your heart rate and making it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body."
But it is important that people taking the medication are aware of some key side-effects. People starting the medication for the first time are recommended to take it at bedtime, as the first dose can cause dizziness.
Several other side effects are common, affecting more than one in 100 people taking the medication. The NHS said these are "usually mild and do not last for long". They include:
- feeling dizzy or sick
- headaches
- cold hands or feet
- constipation
- diarrhoea
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