Bisoprolol IPCA general information
What is Bisoprolol IPCA used for?
Cardiovascular disease covers a range of heart and circulation problems. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common form of heart disease. It is the narrowing and hardening of blood vessels that supply the heart due to clogged arteries. Angina is a symptom of CAD, and if it gets worse, CAD can result in a heart attack due to restricted blood flow to the heart muscle, resulting in heart muscle cell damage. A stroke results from a blockage in a blood vessel in the brain or a bleed into the brain, which can cause brain cells to die if not treated quickly. Certain risk factors can increase your chances of developing cardiovascular disease, including high blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure (hypertension), obesity, smoking, and diabetes. Bisoprolol IPCA tablets are used to treat mild to moderate hypertension, in conjunction with other antihypertensive medicines like diuretics (water pills). They are also used for long-term treatment of chronic stable angina and chronic stable heart failure in conjunction with other heart medications.
High blood pressure
Blood pressure is the force of your heart pumping blood around the body, combined with the resistance of the artery walls to the blood as it is forced into the circulation. Two blood pressure measurements indicate whether your blood pressure is within the normal range. Systolic pressure measures the force generated by the heart contracting with each heartbeat as it pumps blood out into the arteries. Diastolic pressure is the resting phase between each heartbeat when the heart muscle relaxes, and the heart fills with blood. When your blood pressure is measured, it is expressed as systolic pressure (the highest measure) over diastolic pressure (the lowest measure).
If the arteries become narrowed or constricted, this increases their resistance, and more force is needed to pump blood around the body. This increased force causes hypertension, which is high blood pressure when your body is relaxed and at rest. Essential hypertension is high blood pressure with usually no obvious and identifiable cause. High blood pressure puts a strain on the heart by increasing its workload and its need for more oxygen. The extra force of blood in the circulation can damage blood vessels, especially smaller blood vessels, such as those in the kidneys, which can lead to kidney damage. Hypertension increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke and heart attack. There are usually no symptoms of high blood pressure, so you will only know if you have high blood pressure by having a check.
Angina
Narrowing of the arteries is also known as atherosclerosis. It is caused by a build-up of plaque, which is fatty deposits, mainly cholesterol. Clogged arteries restrict blood flow to the heart, and the heart muscle becomes starved of oxygen. However, because the arteries are not entirely blocked, this does not cause permanent heart damage. Angina pectoris is one of the first signs that your heart is not getting enough oxygen. The symptoms of angina include chest pain, tightness or heaviness across the chest, breathlessness on exertion, and a feeling of discomfort like indigestion. If this continues, the condition is known as chronic stable angina, and symptoms can be triggered by any form of exertion or emotional stress. This condition is a warning sign that you are at increased risk of more serious problems such as a heart attack.
Heart failure
Blocked coronary arteries that supply the heart with blood deprives the heart muscle of essential oxygen needed to keep it pumping. This can weaken the heart muscle so that it cannot pump efficiently, a condition known as congestive heart failure. The heart must work harder to keep pumping, putting more strain on the heart muscle, making the situation worse. You may have no symptoms at first, but as the condition worsens, you may start to feel breathless on exertion and notice swelling around your ankles and feet. This swelling is due to oedema, which is fluid collection in the tissues due to poor circulation and can also happen around the heart. Heart failure can also be caused by damage to the heart muscle due to a heart attack, a damaged heart valve, infection, and excess alcohol.
Bisoprolol IPCA is used to treat chronic stable heart failure; also, left ventricular systolic dysfunction after a recent heart attack, when the left ventricle of the heart cannot pump out blood properly. Bisoprolol IPCA can be used with other medicines such as diuretics (water tablets) and ACE inhibitors.
How does Bisoprolol IPCA work?
Bisoprolol IPCA tablets 10mg contain bisoprolol, a beta-blocker used to treat hypertension, chronic stable heart failure, and chronic stable angina.
Adrenaline (epinephrine) is a hormone released by the adrenal glands in response to stress. It binds to specific receptors called beta-receptors on smooth muscle cells in various tissues, including the beta1-receptors on the smooth muscle of blood vessels and beta2-receptors on the smooth muscle of the airways. The effect of adrenaline is to stimulate the beta-adrenergic pathway to constrict and narrow blood vessels in the heart and constrict and narrow the airways. Bisoprolol in Bisoprolol IPCA tablets binds specifically to the beta1-receptors with minimal effect on the beta2-receptors.
When bisoprolol binds to its beta receptor, it blocks adrenaline and inhibits its actions. This dilates (widens) blood vessels (vasodilation), slows the heart rate, and reduces blood flow resistance in peripheral blood vessels. Vasodilation lowers blood pressure and increases blood flow and oxygen to the heart, which decreases demand by the heart for oxygen, reduces the workload on the heart (force needed to pump), and helps the heart to beat more regularly.
These actions of bisoprolol in Bisoprolol IPCA tablets relieve symptoms of heart failure and angina, and lower high blood pressure, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
What does Bisoprolol IPCA contain?
Bisoprolol IPCA tablets 10mg contain the active ingredient bisoprolol, a beta-blocker used to treat hypertension, chronic stable heart failure, and chronic stable angina. They also contain microcrystalline cellulose, lactose anhydrous, silica (colloidal anhydrous), magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulphate and croscarmellose sodium, titanium dioxide, polydextrose, hypromellose, and macrogol.
What are the side effects of Bisoprolol IPCA
Most medications have some side effects, but they are not experienced by everyone. Some side effects are commonly experienced when taking Bisoprolol IPCA tablets, but others are not so common, and you should discuss any problems or concerns with your primary care physician.
Common side effects when taking Bisoprolol IPCA include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, dizziness, headache, feeling weak and tired (asthenia), cold hands and feet, hypotension (slow blood pressure), slow heart beat (bradycardia), oedema (water retention with swollen ankles).
When should Bisoprolol IPCA not be used?
Have a talk with your primary healthcare physician before taking Bisoprolol IPCA tablets so that you have a full understanding of what this medicine is for and how to use it. There are some reasons for not taking a medication; these are called contraindications, and for Bisoprolol IPCA you should consider the following before taking Bisoprolol IPCA:
- Have you ever had an unusual reaction or an allergy when taking Bisoprolol IPCA?
- Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?
- Do you have any problems with your kidneys or your liver?
- Are you having desensitisation treatment for an allergy?
- Do you have obstructive lung disorder, bronchial asthma or bronchospasm?
- Do you have poor peripheral blood circulation, low blood pressure (hypotension), uncontrolled heart failure and certain other heart problems?
- Do you have have a phaeochromocytoma (a rare tumour of the adrenal gland) which is not already being treated with other medicines?
- Are you diabetic and taking hypoglycaemic therapy?
What medications interact with Bisoprolol IPCA?
Some medicines interact with Bisoprolol IPCA tablets and may affect the way it works, or are affected by Bisoprolol IPCA or increase side effects; you should discuss possible interactions with your primary care physician. These may include calcium channel blockers like diltiazem, verapamil, and nifedipine, antiarrhythmics like amiodarone and disopyramide, digoxin and nitroglycerin for heart failure, other beta-blockers, including eye drops, centrally acting antihypertensive drugs like clonidine and methyldopa, the antibiotic rifampicin, adrenaline for emergencies like anaphylaxis, tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors, antiinflammatories like ibuprofen or diclofenac, cimetidine for reflux and ulcers, antipsychotics like chlorpromazine, insulin or metformin for diabetes, the anesthetic lidocaine.
If other medications may interact with Bisoprolol IPCA, your doctor will discuss these with you.
How should Bisoprolol IPCA be taken and for how long?
You should take your Bisoprolol IPCA tablets 10mg swallowed whole with a glass of water, once daily in the morning with or without food. The dose you take and how often depends on what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendation. Your dose may gradually be increased by your doctor until you reach the optimum dose for your condition. You should continue to take your Bisoprolol IPCA tablets for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for several weeks or longer, as they will help control your symptoms but will not cure your condition. If you are advised to stop taking your Bisoprolol IPCA tablets, you should reduce your dose gradually, as treatment should not be discontinued abruptly.
Missed dose of Bisoprolol IPCA
If you miss a dose of Bisoprolol IPCA tablets take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.
How should Bisoprolol IPCA be stored?
You should store your Bisoprolol IPCA tablets below 25°C in a cool dry place.