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Drug interactions

Bisoprolol + Physostigmine

Severity: Moderate

Bisoprolol and Physostigmine: moderate 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

Physostigmine increases cholinergic tone and can cause bradycardia and AV conduction slowing. Combined with bisoprolol, the risk of marked bradycardia or heart block is increased.

What this interaction means in plain words

Bisoprolol and Physostigmine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive negative chronotropic and dromotropic effects from beta-blockade and cholinesterase inhibition.

What to do

Monitor heart rate and ECG during physostigmine administration, and have atropine available. Avoid the combination in patients with existing conduction block.

What to ask your pharmacist

  • Should I take them at different times of day?
  • Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
  • Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Bisoprolol with Physostigmine?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Bisoprolol and Physostigmine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Physostigmine increases cholinergic tone and can cause bradycardia and AV conduction slowing. Combined with bisoprolol, the risk of marked bradycardia or heart block is increased.

How serious is the interaction between Bisoprolol and Physostigmine?

MediHelp rates it moderate, 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 during physostigmine administration, and have atropine available. Avoid the combination in patients with existing conduction block.

What other medicines interact with Bisoprolol?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Bisoprolol with, for example, Aldesleukin, Amifostine, Amiodarone. The full list is on the Bisoprolol page.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.

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