Drug interactions
Amiodarone + Bisoprolol
Severity: Major
Amiodarone and Bisoprolol: major interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both drugs slow heart rate and AV conduction, and the combination can cause severe bradycardia, AV block or sinus arrest. Amiodarone's long half-life means the risk persists after discontinuation.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amiodarone and Bisoprolol can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Amiodarone belongs to Cardiovascular; Bisoprolol belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive negative chronotropic and dromotropic effects from beta-blockade and amiodarone's sodium, calcium and potassium channel and beta-blocking actions.
What to do
Monitor heart rate and ECG, especially at initiation, and reduce the bisoprolol dose or stop one agent if symptomatic bradycardia or conduction block develops.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Bisoprolol
Other interactions of Amiodarone
- Amiodarone + Amisulpride Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Arsenic trioxide Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Dofetilide Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Droperidol Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Eliglustat Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amiodarone with Bisoprolol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Amiodarone and Bisoprolol can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Both drugs slow heart rate and AV conduction, and the combination can cause severe bradycardia, AV block or sinus arrest. Amiodarone's long half-life means the risk persists after discontinuation.
How serious is the interaction between Amiodarone and Bisoprolol?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor heart rate and ECG, especially at initiation, and reduce the bisoprolol dose or stop one agent if symptomatic bradycardia or conduction block develops.
What other medicines interact with Bisoprolol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Bisoprolol with, for example, Aldesleukin, Amifostine, Atenolol-chlorthalidone. The full list is on the Bisoprolol page.
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