Compare Propranolol vs. Bisoprolol
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Lowers blood pressure and controls heart rate.
Inderal (Propranolol) is good for treating many heart problems and other problems in the body, but it has more side effects than other beta blockers. You can't miss doses.
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3.9/ 5 average rating with 61 reviewsforPropranolol
Lowers blood pressure.
Zebeta (Bisoprolol) is usually given to people who have taken other blood pressure meds unsuccessfully or have recently had significant heart problems.
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4.0/ 5 average rating with 18 reviewsforBisoprolol
Upsides
- A first-choice treatment to prevent chest pain (angina).
- A first-choice treatment for heart failure, heart attack, heart valve disorders, and abnormal heart rhythm.
- Also treats and prevents many non-heart problems, such as tremors, anxiety, migraines, and liver disease symptoms.
- Good for protecting the heart and lowering blood pressure if you've had a heart attack.
- Available in a generic version.
- Also comes in combination with other medications to lower blood pressure.
Downsides
- Taking a beta blocker might make you feel more tired or out of breath during exercise or normal daily routines. This gets better for most people, but for some might not go away.
- Has more side effects than some beta blockers because it crosses into the brain and central nervous system.
- Not a first-choice treatment for high blood pressure according to the latest guidelines, except if you have heart failure or heart disease. As a second choice, your doctor might add it to medicines you're already taking if your blood pressure is still too high.
- Can hide symptoms of low blood sugar if you're diabetic.
- You can't miss doses. Stopping Propranolol suddenly can cause your blood pressure to go up suddenly, which raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- This isn't a first choice medication to lower blood pressure.
- You can't stop taking it suddenly, or else you're more likely to have a heart attack or other problems with your heart.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Extended release
- Liquid
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$13.65
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Reviews
61 reviews so far
66%
saidit'sworth it
62%
saiditworked well
15%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Inderal (Propranolol)?
Leave a review18 reviews so far
67%
saidit'sworth it
61%
saiditworked well
28%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Zebeta (Bisoprolol)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
The Zebeta (Bisoprolol) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Increased chest pain or risk of heart attack
- Suddenly stopping Inderal (Propranolol)
- Heart failure
- Increased risks during surgery
- Major surgery requiring anesthesia
- Masked symptoms of low blood sugar
- Diabetes
- Masked symptoms of overactive thyroid
- Low blood pressure
- Concurrent use of non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, digoxin or clonidine
- Serious skin reactions
- Masked symptoms of low blood sugar
- Diabetes
- Masked symptoms of overactive thyroid
- Heart attack
- Coronary artery disease
- Increased symptoms of heart failure
- Heart failure
- Increased risks during surgery
- Major surgery requiring anesthesia