What is Bystolic?
Bystolic is a brand name medication containing the active ingredient nebivolol, which is used to treat high blood pressure. While Bystolic can be an effective medication for some individuals, it may not be suitable for everyone due to its potential side effects and cost. Fortunately, there are a number of alternatives to Bystolic that may be more appropriate for some patients.
What are the Alternatives to Bystolic?
The following are some Bystolic alternatives you may take:
- 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)
- 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)
Other Alternatives to Bystolic
Below is a list of other Bystolic alternatives available:
- 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)
Bystolic Precautions
It’s essential to note that every individual is different, and what works well for one person may not be the best option for another. Patients should work closely with their healthcare provider to determine the best treatment plan for their specific needs.
In addition, lifestyle changes such as exercise, weight loss, and reducing sodium intake can also help to lower blood pressure and reduce the need for medication.
