Bystolic and Insomnia: 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!"

• Den...
• June 3, 2014

For High Blood Pressure "I was prescribed this medication for high blood pressure. It DID lower my blood pressure, and for about 6 weeks, I had almost no adverse reaction. I was prescribed 10 mg, but only took 5 mg because I am sensitive to medicines and anesthetics. Vivid dreams, insomnia, sleepiness during the day were tolerable, but I soon developed double vision, pain in my upper body, a rash, and increasing weakness and balance problems. I weaned myself off slowly--my last dose was in February 2014--I still have tremors, difficulty walking, and extreme weakness. I cannot recommend Bystolic."

• 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."

• omg...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 28, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I was put on Bystolic 10 mg 6 days ago. So far, my BP has gone up, as high as 179/107, and heart rate has dropped to 40. Chest pain, arm pain, just like having a heart attack, confusion, swelling, and unable to sleep. I took myself off the stuff today, there is no way I will take any more. I was much better before being prescribed Bystolic."

• Cor...
• August 4, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I am ashamed to admit I have taken this drug for over a year because I have to be pretty stupid to allow a drug to take so much living away from me. I used to ride my horse, do my own construction work, and just enjoy life! Now, I know what depression is. I struggle to sleep ten hours a week! I have very little functioning memory. I am so angry. If you happen to be at a doctor appointment when one of the drug reps is hauling in the free food and free drug samples, you'll wonder by her attire just what she is selling. Yes, I told my doctor over and over about the problems and her answer is more drugs! Anti-depressant, sleeping pill, and the list goes on. I tried to get myself off of it but can't because of rebound."

• Pau...
• July 2, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I’ve been on Bystolic 5 mg since March 2018 when I started to feel my heart flutter a couple of times a week. Besides the Bystolic, I’ve been on lisinopril 40 mg, pravastatin 20 mg, and 80 mg low-dose aspirin for about 5 years. I’ve noticed what feels like dizziness, lightheadedness, and disorientation, especially when I’m driving. And it always seems to be the right side of my head/face. Today I had really bad episode(s) going to work and driving home. I had to pull over to the side of the road this morning until it passed, but then it came back so quickly I couldn’t find a place to pull over, so I ended up driving the rest of the way to work verbalizing, 'you're okay, you're okay,' just to focus on something besides that feeling. The same thing happened on my way home. I’m terrified that I’m going to pass out or drive off the road and kill someone or myself. This med has also caused me to gain weight, lose focus and memory, diminished sex drive, and can’t fall asleep."

• 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!!!"

• Ace...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "Been on 2.5 mg Bystolic daily for 2 weeks now. Half in the morning, half at night. At first, the only side effects I had were blurred vision and lightheadedness after an hour of taking the dose. After 2 weeks, I have many side effects: dizziness, tingling wrists and feet, lightheadedness, and feel some chest discomfort. Also, I have no energy to walk or hike. Did I mention the lack of sleep at night? Terrible."

• 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."

• 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."

• Flo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 1, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Was using Lisinopril/HCTZ 20/12.5 for 7 years with excellent results. BP usually 120/70. Occasional dips in hot weather, and adjusted dosage down. New MD was adamant about trying 10 mg Bystolic for a year. BP control was erratic and always high, usually 145/90, heart rate fell to 45 consistently. Low energy, leg swelling, face swelling, irritability, insomnia. Switched back and suddenly feel 10 years younger. Bystolic was not a good choice for me."

• adv...
• December 6, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "I understand this medicine is relatively new and very expensive. Not covered in some cases. While I have been on it only 3 weeks, I experience insomnia. Have to take Tylenol PM. Feeling cold all the time. Cramps have increased in legs, knees, and hands, mostly at night. Unable to walk as much without muscle pains. Take 5 mg daily. Hope this helps."

• Bri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "25 years old, sensitive to most medicines, and this was another one on the blacklist. Headaches occasionally, insomnia, loss of sexual desire, heart palpitations, depression, dizzy when standing up or squatting down, tired when sitting down, and short-term memory was terrible."

• Roi...
• October 26, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "Was put on Bystolic for high blood pressure induced by stress. This is a horrible medication. I was only on 12.5 mg once a day, and side effects were intolerable. Extreme flushing and feeling of anxiety...stomach pain. My blood pressure actually spiked after taking this medication. Also caused bad insomnia. I was in bed awake until 4 a.m. for 3 nights in a row when I finally decided to go to my doctor and got switched to another medication. Seems doctors are always trying to push the new and latest version of drugs, just to report back to the drug companies. Will never take it again."

• dja...
• October 3, 2011

For High Blood Pressure "I experienced several side effects, including vision change, hoarseness, insomnia, terrible dry mouth, headaches (migraine), to name a few, but my blood pressure did go to normal. I had to try something else."

• Wis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 26, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "One unique thing about this drug is my BP actually goes up for an hour or so after I take it. When I first took it, I had similar side effects as when I was on metoprolol and lisinopril, which were nausea, reflux, and later sexual side effects and trouble sleeping. With my Bystolic, most side effects went away and I have a bit of a sex life :)"

• qui...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 9, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "I encourage you to try this drug. I had tried at least three other B.P. meds before this. They all had bad side effects or didn't work. This one is a keeper. After three days, my blood pressure was considerably lower. I am calmer. Headaches GONE! Makes you pretty zoned out while getting used to it. I am having some sleep issues that I will consult my doctor about. Other than that, I am very pleased. Dose: 5 mg. 71-year-old female. Hypertension and fibromyalgia. I am on the generic. Hope this helps somebody!"

• Net...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 27, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "Am so, so scared and tired with no hope in the future. I have a 15-year-old daughter. I was on 2.5 mg, and they increased my dose to 5 mg in October. Since then, I've had no proper sleep. My GP reduced it to 2.5 mg again, but I need more to go to 1.25 mg or swap for another one. My lack of sleep interferes with everything. Please, please any help, ideas."

• Abs...
• April 26, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "I have never written a review before, but for me personally, Bystolic was the worst thing to happen for me. I know everyone is different. So I was only on Bystolic for 2 weeks, and I absolutely could not push past the side effects. Terrible insomnia, like not just waking up, like I physically couldn’t sleep, panic attacks, which I’m not prone to, weird body pains. Did Bystolic lower my numbers? Absolutely. However, I was basically bed-ridden in my side effects."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 6, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "After only four days on 2.5 mg, I am experiencing interdose withdrawal. I am sensitive to medication, but after about 12 hours of taking a dose, I have the symptoms of having too much adrenaline - anxiety, muscle twitching, insomnia. It brings down adrenaline for 12 hours, and then you pay for that."

• Sis...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 9, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "After reading all these comments, it now makes sense as to what I've been feeling. Was on Bystolic 2.5 mg for PVCs and higher BP than it should be for about 2 years. After taking the pill, my heart would speed up more and pound for about an hour, and I too have neck pain, or heaviness, I should say. Recently, after a back injury, my BP went up from pain, and I had a racing heart like 137. Cardio increased the dosage to 5 mg for now, and now I have the vivid dreams and insomnia. Did not have that with the 2.5 dose. Going to report to the doctor on my next visit in 3 weeks. I mentioned perhaps taking another beta blocker, especially due to the insane cost of this drug, but so far the doctor has not mentioned changing the drug but did give me a 3-month supply. The primary doctor says she can just give me another beta blocker cheaper, but I don't want to go against the cardiologist. I'll see how it goes if things change."

• Bro...
• May 2, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "After a few decades of high blood pressure, my new doctor switched me to Bystolic. Two days later, I was within normal range for the first time. I absolutely love the results of this med. I have had very vivid dreams, insomnia, and tiredness during the day. I was willing to deal with that. Here's the problem... I started with a 'coupon,' which was to make my maximum monthly cost $30. I filled the prescription in April, and it cost $30, but in May, it was $65. The pharmacy was told that the coupon 'changed' May 1. I called the coupon administration office and was told the same thing. However, the coupon says right on the back that it is valid until December 31. I feel I was deceived! I have asked my doc to switch me to something else."