Understanding Bystolic
Bystolic is a branded medication featuring the active ingredient nebivolol, aimed at managing high blood pressure. While Bystolic is effective for many, it may not be the best fit for everyone due to its potential side effects and cost. Thankfully, there are several alternatives to Bystolic that might be better suited for certain individuals.
Alternative Medications to Bystolic
Here are some alternatives to Bystolic that you might consider:
- Coreg (carvedilol)
- Side effects: Dizziness, bradycardia, bronchospasm, electrical heart block, CHF, lupus erythematosus, hypotension (low blood pressure), shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- Dosage: 3.125-25 mg twice daily
- Toprol XL (metoprolol extended release)
- Side effects: Dizziness, bradycardia, bronchospasm, electrical heart block, CHF, lupus erythematosus, shortness of breath, depression
- Zestril (lisinopril)
- Side effects: Dizziness, hypotension, cough, renal impairment, headache, hyperkalemia (high levels of potassium), angioedema (swelling under the skin, often in the face)
- Dosage: 2.5-40 mg once daily
- Lotensin (benazepril)
- Side effects: Dizziness, hypotension, cough, renal impairment, headache, hyperkalemia, angioedema
- Dosage: 5-40 mg once or twice daily
- Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)
- Side effects: Dizziness, hypotension, hypokalemia (low potassium), hyponatremia (low sodium), hypercalcemia (high calcium), hyperuricemia (high uric acid), sun sensitivity
- Dosage: 12.5-50 mg once daily
- Cozaar (losartan)
- Side effects: Dizziness, hypotension, cough, renal impairment, hyperkalemia, angioedema
- Dosage: 25-100 mg once daily
- Diovan (valsartan)
- Side effects: Dizziness, hypotension, cough, renal impairment, headache, hyperkalemia, angioedema
- Dosage: 80-320 mg once daily (or daily dose divided into two doses)
- Avapro (irbesartan)
- Side effects: Dizziness, hypotension, cough, renal impairment, hyperkalemia, angioedema
- Dosage: 75-150 mg once daily
- Norvasc (amlodipine)
- Side effects: Dizziness, hypotension, peripheral edema, palpitations, flushing, angina
- Dosage: 2.5-10 mg once daily
- Lotrel (combination amlodipine/benazepril)
- Side effects: Dizziness, hypotension, cough, peripheral edema, palpitations, flushing, angina, renal impairment, headache, hyperkalemia, angioedema
- Dosage: 2.5 mg/10 mg, 5 mg/10 mg, 5 mg/20 mg, 5 mg/40 mg, 10 mg/20 mg, or 10 mg/40 mg once daily
- Cardizem CD (diltiazem extended release)
- Side effects: Dizziness, hypotension, peripheral edema, bradycardia, electrical heart block or rhythm abnormality
- Dosage: 120-480 mg once daily
- Aldactone (spironolactone)
- Side effects: Dizziness, renal impairment, hyperkalemia, breast pain, gynecomastia (male breast enlargement), menstrual irregularity, stomach irritation or ulcer
- Dosage: 12.5-100 mg once daily for hypertension (or up to 200-400 mg daily for some indications)
- Hydralazine
- Side effects: Hypotension, headache, lupus erythematosus, tachycardia (fast heart rate), angina, palpitations
- Dosage: 10-50 mg four times daily (or up to 100 mg three times daily for CHF with low EF)
- Cardura (doxazosin)
- Side effects: Dizziness, hypotension, headache, palpitations, edema, shortness of breath, blurred vision
- Dosage: 1-16 mg once daily (or maximum of 8 mg for BPH)
Additional Bystolic Alternatives
Here are more alternatives to Bystolic:
- Tenormin (atenolol)
- Lopressor (metoprolol)
- Bisoprolol
- Inderal LA (extended-release propranolol)
- Coreg CR (extended-release carvedilol)
- Trandate (labetalol)
- Ziac (bisoprolol/HCTZ)
- Tenoretic (atenolol/HCTZ)
- Altace (ramipril)
- Accupril (quinapril)
- Fosinopril
- Captopril
- Perindopril
- Benicar (olmesartan)
- Micardis (telmisartan)
- Atacand (candesartan)
- Tekturna (aliskiren)
- Chlorthalidone
- Calan SR (extended-release verapamil)
- Nifedical XL (extended-release nifedipine)
- Felodipine XR
- Isradipine
- Lotensin HCT (HCTZ/benazepril)
- Capozide (HCTZ/captopril)
- Vaseretic (HCTZ/enalapril)
- Accuretic (HCTZ/quinapril)
- HCTZ/fosinopril
- Exforge (amlodipine/valsartan)
- Azor (amlodipine/olmesartan)
- Twynsta (amlodipine/telmisartan)
- Benicar HCT (HCTZ/olmesartan)
- Hyzaar (HCTZ/losartan)
- Diovan HCT (HCTZ/valsartan)
- Micardis HCT (HCTZ/telmisartan)
- Avalide (HCTZ/irbesartan)
- Atacand (HCTZ/candesartan)
- Tekturna HCT (HCTZ/aliskiren)
- Tribenzor (amlodipine/HCTZ/olmesartan)
- Exforge HCT (amlodipine/HCTZ/valsartan)
- Catapres (clonidine)
- Catapres TTS (clonidine patch)
- Methyldopa
- Terazosin
- Lasix (furosemide)
Precautions When Using Bystolic
Every patient is unique, and what works for one person might not be the best option for another. It is crucial to collaborate with your healthcare provider to identify the best treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
Besides medication, lifestyle changes such as regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and reducing sodium intake can significantly help lower blood pressure and may decrease the dependency on medication.