Nebivolol
Bystolic is the only nebivolol product on this shelf, available in 2.5 mg, 5 mg and 10 mg tablets for Hypertension. It is a beta-blocker that relaxes blood vessels and slows heart rate.
Key points
- Never stop abruptly: sudden discontinuation can trigger rebound hypertension, tachycardia and worsening cardiac arrhythmia.
- Third-generation beta-blocker with nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation, giving it the strongest beta-receptor affinity of all beta-blockers.
- Contraindicated in severe bradycardia, cardiogenic shock, decompensated heart failure and second- or third-degree heart block.
How does Nebivolol work?
Nebivolol blocks beta-1 receptors in the heart, which slows the heart rate and reduces the force of each beat. It also stimulates the lining of blood vessels to release nitric oxide, a molecule that widens them and lowers resistance to flow. Together these effects reduce blood pressure. At doses of 10 mg or less, nebivolol stays selective for the heart; above that, it also affects beta-2 receptors in the lungs and elsewhere. It sits in the Heart & Blood Pressure category and is taken as an oral tablet, with or without food.