Nebivolol Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 20, 2025.

Applies to nebivolol: oral tablet.

Common side effects of nebivolol

Some side effects of nebivolol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Serious side effects of nebivolol

Along with its needed effects, nebivolol may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking nebivolol:

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking nebivolol:

Symptoms of overdose

• absence of or decrease in body movement
• anxiety
• blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• blurred vision
• chills
• cold sweats
• coma
• confusion
• cool, pale skin
• cough
• decreased urine output
• depression
• dilated neck veins
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• dry mouth
• extreme fatigue
• fast heartbeat
• headache
• increased hunger
• increased sweating
• increased thirst
• irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
• loss of appetite
• mood changes
• muscle pain or cramps
• nausea or vomiting
• nervousness
• nightmares
• noisy breathing
• numbness in the hands, feet, or lips
• seizures
• shakiness
• slurred speech
• troubled breathing
• vomiting
• weight gain

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects.

Do not interrupt or stop using this medicine without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely. Some conditions may become worse when the medicine is stopped suddenly, which can be dangerous.

This medicine may cause changes in your blood sugar levels. Also, this medicine may cover up signs of low blood sugar, such as a rapid pulse rate. Check with your doctor if you have these problems or if you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

This medicine may cause some people to become less alert than they are normally. If this side effect occurs, do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert while taking nebivolol.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

For healthcare professionals

Applies to nebivolol: oral tablet.

General adverse events

The more frequently reported side effects in patients treated for hypertension were headache, dizziness, and fatigue; additionally, bradycardia was frequently reported in patients treated for chronic heart failure.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Bradycardia (up to 11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Cardiac failure aggravation, edema, postural hypotension, first degree atrioventricular (AV) block, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, angina pectoris, chest pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Heart failure, slowed AV conduction, AV block (both second and third degree), hypotension, increased intermittent claudication, edema of the lower limbs,
• Postmarketing reports: Raynaud's phenomenon, myocardial infarction, peripheral ischemia^[Ref]

Bradycardia was a dose-related effect in hypertensive patients. Bradycardia occurred more frequently in chronic heart failure patients (11%) than hypertensive patients (1%) at doses of 20 to 40 mg.

Aggravation of cardiac failure occurred in 19% of patients with chronic heart failure compared to 21.3% of placebo-treated patients in the SENIORS (Study on the Effects of Nebivolol Interventions on Outcomes and Rehospitalizations in Seniors with heart failure; n = 2128; median age = 75.2 years). Heart failure occurred in 0.1% to 1% of hypertensive patients.^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Dizziness (up to 11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Headache, paresthesia, somnolence, hypoesthesia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Vertigo
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Syncope^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea, exacerbated dyspnea, common cold, coughing, bronchitis, pharyngitis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bronchospasm
• Postmarketing reports: Acute pulmonary edema^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Increased sweating
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pruritus, erythematous rash
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Psoriasis aggravated
• Frequency not reported: Angioneurotic edema, urticaria
• Postmarketing reports: Rash, skin disorders^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Myalgia, arthrosis, back pain^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Constipation, diarrhea, nausea
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dyspepsia, flatulence, vomiting
• Frequency not reported: Abdominal pain^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Tiredness, drug intolerance, pain, injury, fatigue
• Frequency not reported: Asthenia^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Nervousness
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Nightmares, depression, insomnia, anxiety^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Impotence^[Ref]

Ocular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Impaired vision^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Frequency not reported: Decreased platelet count
• Postmarketing reports: Thrombocytopenia^[Ref]

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Increased BUN
• Postmarketing reports: Acute renal failure^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Hypercholesterolemia, hyperuricemia, increased uric acid, increased triglycerides, decreased HDL cholesterol^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Postmarketing reports: Abnormal hepatic function (e.g., increased AST, ALT, and bilirubin)^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity (e.g., allergic vasculitis, angioedema, urticaria)^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Nebivolol side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer