Bisocard – indications, contraindications, dosage, side effects, price

Proven content

Bisocard is a preparation that is used in the treatment of diseases such as heart failure, hypertension, ischemic heart disease or heart rhythm disturbances. The active substance is bisoprolol. Bisocard is a medicine that is dispensed in pharmacies with a prescription. What are the indications and contraindications for the use of Bisocard? How should it be dosed? Can its use cause side effects?

Bisocard – general characteristics of the drug

Bisocard is a product belonging to the group beta-blockers used in cases of heart disease. This medicine is available only with a prescription. The active substance of Bisocard is fumaran bisoprololThe mechanism of action is based on the selective blocking of beta-adrenergic receptors. This preparation is used in the treatment of stable, moderate to severe and chronic heart failure associated with left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Bisocard is available as film-coated tablets containing 2,5 mg, 5 mg or 10 mg of the active substance. The package may contain 30, 60 or 120 tablets. The 5 mg tablets are pale yellow, round, biconvex tablets, debossed with a break line on one side and a ‘5’ on the other side. The 10 mg tablets are light pink, round, biconvex tablets, debossed with a score line on one side and “10” on the other side. Bisocard is packed in PVC / Aluminum foil blisters.

The entity responsible for the distribution of Bisocard is PharmaSwiss, while the manufacturer of the preparation is ICN Polfa Rzeszów SA PharmaSwiss is part of the Bausch Health Companies, Inc. group. Bausch Health is an international pharmaceutical company that sells prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs. It is present in over 20 countries in Central and Eastern Europe, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, Southeast Asia and South Africa.

What are beta blockers and how do they work? Read on: Beta-blockers – action, types, indications, side effects

Bisocard – composition and action of the drug

The main component of Bisocard, responsible for its healing properties, is bisoprolol. Bisoprolol is a drug that belongs to the group of selective beta-blockers. This medicine works by blocking beta receptors, mainly beta 1 receptors.

Beta receptors are stimulated under physiological conditions by adrenaline or noradrenaline released after activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Pharmacological blocking of beta receptors prevents their stimulation, and thus limits the consequences of the action of adrenaline or noradrenaline on target tissues with beta receptors, e.g. those found in the heart, blood vessels and bronchi.

Selective blockade of beta 1 receptors in the heart reduces the risk of peripheral drug-related adverse events, including the risk of airway obstruction.

The action of beta-blockers, including bisoprolol, lowers the heart rate and the force of its contraction, and lowers high blood pressure.

In addition to the active substance, Bisocard contains other auxiliary substances, including:

1. lactose jednowodna;
2. corn starch;
3. colloidal anhydrous silica;
4. sodium lauryl sulfate;
5. talk;
6. magnesium stearate;
7. hypromeloza;
8. macrogol 400;
9. titanium dioxide.

What medications can make the heart work better? Read on: Drugs to strengthen the heart

Bisocard – indications for the use of the drug

Bisocard is a preparation that is used primarily in heart ailments. Your doctor may recommend this medication, especially for the treatment of:

1. arterial hypertension; 
2. angina, which is chest pain caused by insufficient oxygen supply to the heart;
3. stable, moderate to severe chronic heart failure with impaired left ventricular systolic function, in combination with ACE inhibitors, diuretics and, if necessary, digitalis glycosides. 

What causes chest pain? Read on: Chest pain – causes, diagnosis

Bisocard – contraindications to the use of the drug

Despite its effectiveness in treating heart disorders, Bisocard cannot be used by every patient struggling with this type of ailments.

Contraindications to the use of the drug Bisocard are:

1. allergy to bisoprolol fumarate or any of the excipients;
2. cardiogenic shock – a severe heart disorder with faint, fast heart rate, low blood pressure, damp, cold skin, weakness and fainting;
3. severe bronchial asthma or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
4. slow heart rate – less than 60 beats per minute;
5. very low blood pressure;
6. severe circulation problems in the extremities, causing the fingers and toes to tingling or turning pale or blue;
7. heart rhythm disturbances – slow or irregular heartbeat;
8. sudden heart failure or worsening of pre-existing heart failure necessitating intravenous administration of drugs to increase the strength of heart contractions;
9. simultaneous use of floctafenine, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or sultopride, a drug used to treat mental disorders;
10. metabolic acidosis – a condition in which the blood’s pH is too low;
11. an untreated tumor of the adrenal medulla, the so-called phaeochromocytoma.

What should you know about drug hypersensitivity? Check: Drugs are also allergenic

Bisocard – precautions

Before and during the use of Bisocard, follow the precautions included in the package leaflet.

Particular precautions should be taken in cases of:

1. diagnosed with less severe bronchial asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – these conditions require concomitant use of bronchodilators;
2. diagnosed with diabetes, as Bisocard may mask the symptoms of hypoglycaemia;
3. following a strict diet;
4. diagnosed XNUMXst degree atrioventricular block;
5. diagnosed Prinzmetal’s angina;
6. the occurrence of less severe circulatory disorders in the limbs;
7. thyroid dysfunction, as the active substance in this medicine may mask some of the symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland;
8. diagnosis of the presence of pheochromocytoma;
9. in diagnosed or past psoriasis;
10. previous allergic reactions to medications;
11. planned desensitisation treatment;
12. planned surgery, as Bisocard may change how your body responds to the medicines you are taking. 

Also remember that Bisocard should not be taken after the expiry date which is stated on the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. The drug should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. It’s best to ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines you no longer use.

What should you know about proper drug storage? Check: Medications that are stored wrongly are poisonous

Bisocard – method of use and dosage of the drug

Always use Bisocard exactly as described in the package leaflet or as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Bisocard should be taken in the morning, at the same time each day, before or with a meal. Swallow the tablets whole with fluid. They should not be crushed or chewed.

Treatment with this preparation usually starts with a low dose which the doctor gradually increases.

A heart failure treatment regimen with the use of Bisocard can be described as follows:

1. 1,25 mg bisoprolol once daily for 1 week;
2. 2,5 mg bisoprolol once daily for 1 week;
3. 3,75 mg bisoprolol once daily for 1 week;
4. 5 mg bisoprolol once daily for 4 weeks;
5. 7,5 mg bisoprolol once daily for 4 weeks;
6. 10 mg once daily for maintenance treatment;

When using Bisocard, remember that the recommended maximum daily dose is 10 mg of bisoprolol.

In cases high blood pressure and angina the doctor determines the dose individually for each patient. The dose usually depends on the pulse rate and the effectiveness of the treatment. However, the recommended starting dose is 5 mg once a day. The dose can be increased to 10 mg once daily if needed. The maximum recommended dose is 20 mg once a day. In some milder cases of high blood pressure, 2,5 mg once daily may be sufficient.

In the case of overdose with Bisocard you may experience the following symptoms:

1. dizziness;
2. feeling light-headed;
3. fatigue;
4. shortness of breath and / or wheezing;
5. slow heart beat;
6. arterial hypotension;
7. bronchospasm;
8. acute heart failure;
9. seizures.

How to take medication correctly? Check: How to take medications effectively?

Bisocard – side effects

Bisocard, like any other drug, may cause side effects in patients. It is important to report any suspected adverse reactions after authorization of the medicinal product so that the benefit / risk balance of the medicinal product can be monitored.

The frequency classification of adverse body reactions (ADRs) is based on the following principles: very common (≥1 / 10), common (≥1 / 100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1 / 1 to <000/1), rare (≥ 100 / 1 to <10 / 000), very rare (<1 / 1), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

Very common side effects after using Bisocard (affecting at least 1 in 10 people):

1. slow heart rate (in patients with chronic heart failure).

Common side effects after using Bisocard (affecting less than 1 in 10 people):

1. headache and dizziness;
2. exacerbation of existing chronic heart failure;
3. fingers and toes feeling numb or cold;
4. very low blood pressure;
5. nausea and vomiting;
6. diarrhea or constipation;
7. exhaustion, fatigue in patients with chronic heart failure.

Uncommon side effects after taking Bisocard (affecting less than 1 in 100 people):

1. irregular heart beat;
2. sleep disturbance;
3. depression;
4. low blood pressure, occurring after changing the body position from lying or sitting to standing;
5. muscle weakness and spasms;
6. bronchospasm in patients with bronchial asthma or obstructive airways disease.

Rare side effects after taking Bisocard (affecting less than 1 in 1000 people):

1. hallucinations;
2. nightmares;
3. swoon;
4. dryness of the conjunctiva;
5. hearing impairment;
6. allergic rhinitis;
7. hepatitis;
8. hypersensitivity reactions, e.g. itching, rash, flushing;
9. potency disorders;
10. increased levels of fat in the blood;
11. increased levels of liver enzymes (ALT, AST).

Very rare side effects of the use of Bisocard (affecting less than 1 in 10 people):

1. conjunctivitis;
2. worsening of psoriasis or new onset of a dry, scaly rash;
3. hair loss.

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Bisocard and pregnancy and breastfeeding

The use of any medications or dietary supplements during pregnancy requires consultation with the attending physician. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking Bisocard.

Bisoprolol, the main component of Bisocard, may have harmful effects on the course of pregnancy, the development of the fetus and the newborn baby. Therefore, the drug must not be used during pregnancy, unless in the opinion of the doctor it is absolutely necessary. The use of the preparation is also contraindicated during breastfeeding.

What is worth knowing about proper supplementation during pregnancy? Check: Conscious choices. Diet and supplementation in pregnancy

Bisocard and alcohol consumption

Bisocard is a preparation that should not be combined with alcohol consumption. If you take this medicine and drink alcohol, symptoms such as severe dizziness and light-headedness may occur.

What drugs should not be combined with alcohol? Read on: Eight drugs that are better not to be combined with alcohol

Bisocard – interactions with other drugs

Before starting treatment with Bisocard, please inform your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicines you are taking or have taken recently. You should also inform what medications the patient plans to take in the near future.

First of all, Bisocard should not be used simultaneously with floctafenine, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and sultopride, a drug used to treat mental disorders.

Medicines that should not be taken while taking Bisocard include:

1. some drugs for the treatment of arrhythmias – class I antiarrhythmics such as quinidine, disopyramide, lidocaine, phenytoin, flecainide, propafenone;
2. some medicines used to treat high blood pressure, angina or abnormal heart rhythms – calcium antagonists such as verapamil and diltiazem; 
3. some medicines used to treat high blood pressure, such as clonidine, methyldopa, moxonidine, rilmenidine. 

In addition, taking certain medications should be consulted with a doctor who will decide whether their continued use is advisable or change the current dose. These remedies are:

1. some medicines used to treat high blood pressure or angina pectoris – dihydropyridine calcium antagonists such as felodipine and amlodipine;
2. some medicines used to treat irregular heartbeat – class III antiarrhythmics such as amiodarone;
3. topical beta-blockers such as timolol eye drops to treat glaucoma;
4. Certain drugs for the treatment of e.g. Alzheimer’s disease or glaucoma or drugs for the treatment of acute heart problems;
5. diabetes medications, including insulin;
6. anesthetics;
7. digitalis glycosides, used to treat heart failure;
8. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used to treat inflammation and to relieve pain, for example ibuprofen and diclofenac;
9. all drugs that can lower blood pressure;
10. mefloquine, used to prevent and treat malaria;
11. medicines to treat depression called monoamine oxidase inhibitors such as moclobemide;
12. ryfampicyna;
13. ergotamine derivatives which are used to treat migraine.

Which drugs should never be combined with each other? Check: Dangerous interactions

Bisocard — cena

Cena leku Bisocard may differ depending on the city in which the preparation will be purchased or the pharmacy chosen by the patient. The price of the product also depends on the content of the active substance in the tablet and their quantity in the package:

1. Bisocard 2,5 mg 30 tablets – approx. PLN 13;
2. Bisocard 2,5 mg 60 tablets – approx. PLN 25;
3. Bisocard 2,5 mg 120 tablets – approx. PLN 48;
4. Bisocard 5 mg 30 tablets – approx. PLN 14;
5. Bisocard 5 mg 60 tablets – approx. PLN 27;
6. Bisocard 5 mg 120 tablets – approx. PLN 53;
7. Bisocard 10 mg 30 tablets – approx. PLN 18;
8. Bisocard 10 mg 60 tablets – approx. PLN 37;
9. Bisocard 10 mg 120 tablets – approx. PLN 72.

How much money does the average Pole spend on treatment? Check: The Pole is not expected to see a doctor

Bisocard – substitutes and similar preparations

Products that have the same international name and exist in the same form do not have to be substitutes, because the use of a given drug is determined by the content of the active substance, i.e. the dose of the drug.

It should be remembered that even when the dose of the active substance is similar, the patient may not always use the substitute, because he may be allergic to any of the other excipients of the drug.

Therefore, before using a substitute for Bisocard, read the package leaflet or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

The preparations containing the same ingredient as Bisocard and showing similar properties include:

1. Bibloc in coated tablets;
2. Bicardef in 5 mg and 10 mg coated tablets;
3. Bicardiol in coated tablets;
4. BisoHEXAL in 5 mg and 10 mg coated tablets;
5. Bisoprolol Genoptim in coated tablets;
6. Bisoprolol Vitabalans in tablets;
7. Bisoprolol VP in coated tablets;
8. Bisopromerck in 5 mg and 10 mg coated tablets;
9. Bisoratio in tablets of 5 mg and 10 mg;
10. Concor in coated tablets of 1 mg, 25 mg, 2,5 mg, 3,75 mg, 5 mg, 7,5 mg;
11. Corectin in 5 mg and 10 mg coated tablets;
12. Coronal in 5 mg and 10 mg coated tablets;
13. Sobycor in coated tablets.

Is it worth asking the pharmacy about drug substitutes? Check: Swap when you can