Bystolic and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Bry...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 9, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I’m female age 55, no history of heart/BP issues. But extreme work stress plus caregiving knocked me off a healthy routine in recent years. BP rising at every dr. appt. Also woke up every morning with racing pounding heart plus PVCs (extra beats). A month ago I saw my primary care dr. for another issue, my BP was 180/98. He put me on Bystolic 5 mg immediately and did an EKG. Bystolic worked RIGHT AWAY. Heart quiet at night, no racing, no extra beats. I cannot recall the last time my pulse was under 100 — now it’s always in the 80s. Occasional cold hands/feet & insomnia. 1st week on the drug I had fatigue and muscle weakness, but that is gone. Now back to the gym routine, my daily BP is 118/75 or LOWER, slowly getting back to good habits. I notice I have less desire to drink alcohol. Dr. gave me free samples and a coupon so with insurance I pay $35 for 3 months. Great drug for me, knock on wood."

• Des...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 31, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I am going crazy on this drug. I have been on several BP meds and none worked. Put me on Bystolic 10mg, numbers were not good. Felt like I was going to die most days. Severe ear pressure, ringing, and sensitivity. Insomnia, numb hands and feet, headaches constantly, severe fatigue, anxiety, shaking, stopped doing everything, stopped meds on my own. Will I ever feel better? Feel like I'm gonna die!"

• Cel...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 22, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "Wonderful drug! From the first week, my rapid heart beat was back to normal, my social anxiety nerves were greatly reduced. My blood pressure is now down to 110/65 from being sky high. My heart used to beat at 95-100 bpm when I walked or was stressed. It's now at 55-60. I have NO side effects: no ED (it works fine for an older man), no nightmares as some have had, no weight gain, no sleepiness, no fatigue. Nothing but a peaceful easy feeling, to quote a song. Highly recommend it. The only downside is that it is expensive. Glad I have good insurance!"

• Tex...
• July 19, 2013

For High Blood Pressure "58-year-old male Caucasian, overweight, non-smoker, non-diabetic, low total cholesterol, low HDL, high triglyceride. Been on Diovan HCTZ 320/25 for years. In the last year, 2nd blood pressure medicine - amlodipine was prescribed to hold 130/80 on average. Developed severe leg swelling at 10 months. Switched to Toprolol but developed fatigue, then switched to Bystolic 5 mg/day about two months ago. Immediate dramatic reduction in blood pressure to 110/60. No problems in energy level. Heart rate is definitely lower and gets very low (down to 45 bpm when waking) but no other adverse symptoms. Feel great so far. I feel somewhat calmer. BP has started to climb back to 125/70 in the last week. Very pleased so far."

• Con...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "59-year-old woman had been very active and fit. An adverse reaction to a cold medication sent my blood pressure sky-high, and my doc put me on Bystolic 5mg, which worked well for me for 3 months until I started having awful side effects such as dizziness, extreme fatigue, numbness, and cold extremities, etc. It was debilitating. Getting off Bystolic was awful. My heart rate was through the roof, I had major tremors, panic attacks, and very high BP spikes for days. I had very intolerable side effects to other BP meds as well. I am 2 months off Bystolic now, and 9 days off all BP meds. Blood pressure occasionally spikes, but generally not bad and coming down gradually. I'm able to exercise a bit again, and that is helping my blood pressure. But I still have slight tremors most days, still lightheaded, and definitely more anxious than I ever was before I started any medication. I feel like I was poisoned, and recovery is very slow."

• Tir...
• March 3, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I monitor my BP daily. Was anywhere from 140's over 80's with some spiking highest 176 over 86. Could hear it pulsing in ears. Thought was going to have heart attack or stroke. Went to Dr. and started me on Bystolic 2.5mg. Gave bunch samples to take. Took for 3 wks, brought me occasionally to 130's over 70's but still having spikes. Went back to Dr., upped dose to 5mg. Am sitting here with BP 171 over 82. Have resorted to taking additional 2.5mg to try and get BP down. Since started taking, hands and feet are cold. Have numbness sometimes. Walk 2 mile daily and exercise, now fight fatigue. Am out on couch by 7 pm. Sometimes feel like going to pass out. Feel anxious and never had anxiety. Take no other medications have been relatively healthy all my 63 yrs. with exception of extra lbs which I've lost 20 and am working on getting fit. This drug is not working for me! Scares me more, now that I have read the reviews. See Dr in 3 days, plan on telling her to give me something else."

• Sar...
• September 16, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I am 23 and 123 pounds and I only take 2.5 mg of Bystolic. Even with such a low dose I have side effects! Insomnia all the time, low energy, I've fainted and often get dizzy, low sex drive, my feet and hands go numb. I have always been a very energetic person, now I feel like I'm too tired to do anything! I've tried everything from working out to extreme healthy eating and I can't get off of it. This medicine is terrible."

• Ms ...
• April 17, 2012

For High Blood Pressure "I am a 53-year-old African American female. My doctor said that my heart rate at rest was too fast, blood pressure was borderline, and I had mild left ventricle thickening. He prescribed 2.5 mg of Bystolic. I always feel like I have a chlorine taste in my mouth, my breathing does not seem as deep, and I have a strange sensation in my chest all the time. I feel more sluggish during exercise, but I have lost 16 pounds since on the medication since October. I am on a low-fat diet and I walk 2 miles daily. I think it is a good medication; I just wish I didn't have to take anything. I'm just not the same."

• nck...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "34 y/o female on HBP meds since severe bacterial infection wiped out 3/4 of kidney function 5 years ago. Had been on 100mg/day of Metoprolol, and it caused mind-numbing fatigue and fogginess. Frankly, I realize now I was over-medicated. Doctor switched me to 5mg/day Bystolic, and I felt like a new woman overnight! No fatigue, and the only noticeable side effect (like someone else mentioned) was that it knocked back my libido some, which wasn't a terrible thing and isn't affecting me that much. I can get through a workday without taking a nap at lunch and actually have a life after hours now. I'm glad I took a chance on this med!"

• Mim...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 18, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I’ve been taking Bystolic since 8-18. My pulse rate dropped to 45 and blood pressure to 100/20. All my symptoms completely went away. No feeling my heart flutters, no chest heaviness. Now all that is great, but immediately I stopped caring for anyone or anything. All I want to do is sleep, although I take this drug at bedtime. As long as everyone leaves me alone, I feel great, but I lose my temper very quickly. I can’t exercise, I have no energy. If I try to do anything active, I can’t breathe. The loss of energy and motivation is ruining my life. Calling my doctor tomorrow."

• Kpa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 26, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "This medicine was a nightmare. I was prescribed 10 mg but only took 5 mg. Side effects: horrible insomnia, neck stiffness on my right side, complete loss of appetite, fatigue, weight loss. I finally asked my doctor to change meds... this medication was driving me insane. I am now on Valsartan... still feel tired but at least I can sleep. Bystolic was HORRIBLE!!!"

• Mr ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 29, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "My life has changed significantly the last few months. I'm feeling totally lost my energy levels and fighting to keep the interest in anything. I started to think that I developed some kind of sickness like anemia or something else. For sure, I decided to investigate and find the root cause. Today, I saw the Bystolic reviews here, and the previous comments are exactly like mine: 'It was effective in lowering my blood pressure from 150/95 down to 128/83 on average. However, this drop came at a tremendous expense to my lifestyle.' I myself have felt very low energy, occasional dizziness, sexual and general lack of interest in anything. My appetite dropped, and I stopped feeling life inside me. So, I decided to see my doctor and stop it."

• Anonymous
• October 1, 2011

For High Blood Pressure "Bystolic 5 mg for hypertension has made me extremely sleepy, with considerable fatigue. I want to lay down all the time. I also have occasional diarrhea, headaches, and have a lot of trouble with dizziness. It has not lowered my blood pressure, but I am afraid of more side effects if I take a stronger dose. I am tired, tired, tired all the time."

• Whe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 4, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Was experiencing anxiety because adult son was imprisoned. BP would spike to 160/100. Tried 2.5 mg Bystolic for 30 days and seemed to work, although towards the end of the period, experienced mild dizziness and fatigue and somewhat out of breath. Continued for another 20 days and had branch retinal vein occlusion with seepage. Weaned off over 10 days and my eye feels better. Feel all better. My BP off drugs now is running around 124/80. Thinking maybe low dose Lisinopril for my eye. Wonder if Bystolic caused my eye problem. There are some reports of ocular conjunctival hemorrhage with Bystolic?"

• lad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2013

For Mitral Valve Prolapse "I have mitral valve prolapse, female, 42. I started Bystolic, 5 mg, a couple of weeks ago, no palpitations, no dizziness, no headaches, no fatigue. My sleep is off a bit, but other than that, I feel great."

• Ale...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 1, 2024

For High Blood Pressure "This is a wonderful medication! It’s the only beta blocker that does not kill my sex drive or make me extremely tired! I was previously on Inderal and Coreg before switching due to the constant fatigue and postural hypotension I experienced. My cardiologist recommended this drug over 10 years ago and I will never discontinue. It helps greatly with my primary HTN as well as my irregular heart rhythm. Definitely try this drug if you have the same issues as I did on the others."

• Anonymous
• October 23, 2011

For High Blood Pressure "50-year-old female. I had been advised of borderline high blood pressure for a few years. During an unrelated surgery and hospital stay, my BP was uncontrollable and spiking at 200/120. My doctor started me on Metoprolol and lisinopril, but they didn't control my BP well, and I experienced horrible side effects of fatigue, light-headedness, loss of concentration, etc. I switched to Bystolic, and immediately my blood pressure was perfect, the side effects were gone. However, within a couple of months, I started having severe joint or tendon pain in my shoulders, hips, and fingers. I've seen a few reports of this problem with Bystolic, and I'm going to an osteo specialist this week. I would hate to have to stop taking Bystolic, but if it's the culprit, these joint pains are not worth it."

• Nan...
• May 7, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "It never helped my blood pressure, it caused nightmares and rapid weight gain. Ten pounds gained without changing diet. Severe pain in hip. Fatigue I had never had before. I felt as if I were what I would expect a 90-year-old to feel like! I started walking and took myself off the medication, and now my blood pressure is 106/76."

• Bor...
• February 1, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "It was effective in lowering my blood pressure from 150/95 down to 128/83 on average. However, this drop came at a tremendous expense to my lifestyle. I've felt very low energy, occasional dizziness, headaches, and a general lack of interest in anything. My appetite dropped, and I stopped feeling life inside me. In a nutshell, harmful side effects make this drug ineffective in solving BP problems."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "This was horrible. It did fix my blood pressure, but while on it, I fainted once, and I didn't have the energy to work outside. I'm 38, and it made me feel like an old man. It took several weeks to wean off and another month to feel 90% better. My eye is still twitching after being off of this for a month."

• JZa...
• July 17, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I took Bystolic 3 days ago (5 mg) after being on metoprolol 25 mg for 4 yrs. Like night and day. No side effects for me. Huge difference on day 1. I'm in my early 60s, no medical conditions, neither diabetic nor overweight, exercising 14 yrs in very good health. Metoprolol about ruined me. Felt like someone was sitting on my chest, blurred vision, insomnia, extreme fatigue, light sensitivity, no motivation, borderline depression. I had a very bad reaction to it. Both Rx's took BP from 140/80 to 120/70. I now sleep 7-8 hrs a night (4-6 on metoprolol). My thinking is clear on Bystolic too; no brain fog. Bystolic is like taking a daily vitamin; I take it and forget it; afterwards, I feel okay all day and night. Metoprolol was like sitting in an oxygen deprivation tank, fatigued, tired, half knocked out, unable to sleep more than 2 hrs at a time; it was debilitating for me. Bystolic is worth every penny to me."

• Tra...
• May 18, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "Bystolic reduced the blood pressure, but it comes with a price. Chaotic sleep, low energy level, loss of interest in the previously enjoyed activities, and substantial weight gain. Weaning down from the whole pill to a half, and looking for natural ways to reduce my BP."

• taz...
• April 18, 2012

For High Blood Pressure "I have gained 12 lbs in a month! My feet/hands swell so badly that I take a water pill. I am so fatigued... no energy, get out of breath, and have had several migraines lately... which is not normal for me. My pulse is low all the time and blood pressure is 135/85. I was on Hyzaar for years, and it worked great."

• Car...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 14, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "After trying a number of antihypertensives, all of which made me sick, including lisinopril, Norvasc, valsartan, irbesartan, and others (hyponatremia, anemia, insomnia, fatigue, depression), the last one they gave me was Bystolic 10 mg. Felt bad, cold hands and feet, tingling feet, fatigue, insomnia, etc., so cut pills in half. On 5 mg, tingling went away, but a blood test found low sodium and anemia again, so I stopped completely. Now BP is higher than ever, and after 3 months, my feet still feel cold, even on a hot day. Referred to a specialist. Fingers crossed."

• Anonymous
• January 2, 2012

For High Blood Pressure "49 yo male, generally healthy including normal blood pressure. I had a bare metal stent placed in a main artery and have been on 2.5 mg of Bystolic for 3 months now. For the most part, I feel good. The subtle changes to my body I have noticed include uncertainty, forgetfulness, fatigue, and working at a slower pace. Never having been on any medications prior to my procedure, I became concerned and phoned my cardiologist. Their reply: 'Oh, we hear that all the time from patients on the drug, it's normal. Your body is adjusting as it would to a pair of new eyeglasses.' It didn't make me feel any better."