nebivolol
Brand names: Bystolic
Nebivolol is a medicine that lowers high blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure helps prevent strokes and heart attacks.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$5.84/unit
Generic Price
$0.13/unit
Generic Savings
98%
Generic Available
Yes (13 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Nebivolol treats high blood pressure.
Common side effects
Headache, Tiredness, Dizziness
Key warnings
Do not stop taking nebivolol suddenly if you have heart disease.
How It Works
Nebivolol is a beta-blocker that mainly affects the heart. It works by relaxing blood vessels and slowing down your heart rate. This makes it easier for your heart to pump blood and lowers blood pressure.
How to Take It
Take nebivolol once a day, with or without food. Your doctor may start you on 5 mg per day. The dose can be increased every 2 weeks up to 40 mg per day, as needed. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Nebivolol may cause problems for the baby, such as low blood pressure or slow heart rate. Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking nebivolol.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.
Storage
Store nebivolol at room temperature, away from light and moisture.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 6,432 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 14,997 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
14,997
Death-Related Reports
1,464
Hospitalization Reports
8,438
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY | 922 |
| 2 | DYSPNOEA | 773 |
| 3 | DIARRHOEA | 724 |
| 4 | DRUG INTERACTION | 616 |
| 5 | HYPOTENSION | 611 |
| 6 | ANAEMIA | 598 |
| 7 | NAUSEA | 573 |
| 8 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 553 |
| 9 | OFF LABEL USE | 544 |
| 10 | FATIGUE | 519 |
| 11 | FALL | 513 |
| 12 | DIZZINESS | 477 |
| 13 | ASTHENIA | 472 |
| 14 | HEADACHE | 449 |
| 15 | VOMITING | 419 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Do not stop taking nebivolol suddenly if you have heart disease. This can make chest pain worse or cause a heart attack. Talk to your doctor before stopping nebivolol. They will likely lower your dose slowly over 1 to 2 weeks.
Known Drug Interactions
( 7.4 ) 7.1 CYP2D6 Inhibitors Use caution when nebivolol is co-administered with CYP2D6 inhibitors (quinidine, propafenone, fluoxetine, paroxetine, etc.) [ see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.5 ) ].
Mechanism: Fluoxetine blocks the liver protein responsible for breaking down nebivolol, which can lead to higher levels of the drug in your blood.
What to do: Use this combination with caution and follow your doctor's instructions for monitoring.
( 7.4 ) 7.1 CYP2D6 Inhibitors Use caution when nebivolol is co-administered with CYP2D6 inhibitors (quinidine, propafenone, fluoxetine, paroxetine, etc.) [ see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.5 ) ].
Mechanism: Propafenone slows down the body's ability to process nebivolol, which could cause the medication to build up to higher levels.
What to do: Use caution when taking these drugs together and consult your doctor about potential dose adjustments.
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS CYP2D6 enzyme inhibitors may increase nebivolol levels ( 7.1 ) Reserpine or clonidine may produce excessive reduction of sympathetic activity. In patients who are receiving nebivolol and clonidine, discontinue nebivolol tablets for several days before the gradual tapering of clonidine.
Mechanism: Both drugs work to slow down the body's nervous system activity. Taking them together can cause an safely large drop in this activity.
What to do: If you need to stop these medicines, your doctor should have you stop nebivolol several days before slowly lowering your clonidine dose.
( 7.3 ) Verapamil- or diltiazem-type calcium channel blockers may cause excessive reductions in heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac contractility. 7.4 Calcium Channel Blockers Nebivolol can exacerbate the effects of myocardial depressants or inhibitors of AV conduction, such as certain calcium antagonists (particularly of the phenylalkylamine [verapamil] and benzothiazepine [diltiazem] classes), or antiarrhythmic agents, such as disopyramide.
Mechanism: Both of these medicines slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure. Using them together can cause your heart to beat too slowly or weaken its pumping strength.
What to do: Your doctor should closely monitor your heart rate and blood pressure while you are taking this combination.
( 7.3 ) Verapamil- or diltiazem-type calcium channel blockers may cause excessive reductions in heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac contractility. 7.4 Calcium Channel Blockers Nebivolol can exacerbate the effects of myocardial depressants or inhibitors of AV conduction, such as certain calcium antagonists (particularly of the phenylalkylamine [verapamil] and benzothiazepine [diltiazem] classes), or antiarrhythmic agents, such as disopyramide.
Mechanism: These drugs both act on the heart to slow it down and lower blood pressure. Combining them can cause your heart rate or blood pressure to drop to levels that are too low.
What to do: Monitor your heart rate regularly and report any symptoms like dizziness or extreme tiredness to your healthcare provider.
Common Questions
Can I drink alcohol while taking nebivolol?
Will nebivolol cure my high blood pressure?
Can I take nebivolol if I have asthma?
What should I do if I feel dizzy after taking nebivolol?
Can nebivolol affect my blood sugar?
Does nebivolol interact with other medications?
How long does it take for nebivolol to start working?
Can I exercise while taking nebivolol?
What if I need surgery?
Can nebivolol cause weight gain?
What are the common side effects of nebivolol?
Does nebivolol interact with other medications?
What drug class is nebivolol?
Is there a generic version of nebivolol?
Is nebivolol safe during pregnancy?
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Other drugs grouped near nebivolol — same-class peers and common alternatives.
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amiloride
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amlodipine
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Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for nebivolol
The FDA label for nebivolol (sold under brand names such as Bystolic) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Beta-1 Selective Blocker class. Nebivolol treats high blood pressure. Official labeling lists 6 commonly reported side effects, including Headache, Tiredness, Dizziness.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 6,432 voluntary reports. The database also lists 7 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.13 versus $5.84 for the brand — a 98% generic savings.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: October 31, 2024
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages