Combinations not recommended: For treatment of stable chronic heart failure: Class I antiarrhythmic drugs (e.g. quinidine, disopyramide; lidocaine, phenytoin; flecainide, propafenone): Effect on atrio-ventricular conduction time may be potentiated and negative inotropic effect increased.
For all indications: Calcium antagonists of the verapamil type and to a lesser extent of the diltiazem type: Negative effect on contractility and atrio-ventricular conduction. Intravenous administration of verapamil in patients on beta-blocker treatment may lead to profound hypotension and atrioventricular block.
Centrally acting antihypertensive drugs (e.g. clonidine, methyldopa, moxonodine, rilmenidine): Concomitant use of centrally acting antihypertensive drugs may further decrease the central sympathetic tonus and may thus lead to reduction of heart rate and cardiac output and to vasodilatation. Abrupt withdrawal, particularly if prior to beta-blocker discontinuation, may increase the risk of "rebound hypertension".
Combinations to be used with caution: For treatment of hypertension or angina pectoris: Class-I antiarrhythmic drugs (e.g. quinidine, disopyramide; lidocaine, phenytoin; flecainide propafenone): Effect on atrio-ventricular conduction time may be potentiated and negative inotropic effect increased.
For all indications: Calcium antagonists of the dihydropyridine type (e.g. felodipine and amlodipine): Concomitant use may increase the risk of hypotension, and an increase in the risk of a further deterioration of the ventricular pump function in patients with heart failure cannot be excluded.
Class-III antiarrhythmic drugs (e.g. amiodarone): Effect on atrio-ventricular conduction time may be potentiated.
Parasympathomimetic drugs: Concomitant use may increase atrio-ventricular conduction time and the risk of bradycardia.
Topical beta-blockers (e.g. eye drops for glaucoma treatment) may add to the systemic effects of bisoprolol.
Insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs: Intensification of blood sugar lowering effect. Blockade of beta-adrenoceptors may mask symptoms of hypoglycaemia.
Anaesthetic agents: Attenuation of the reflex tachycardia and increase of the risk of hypotension (for further information on general anaesthesia see Precautions).
Digitalis glycosides: Increase of atrio-ventricular conduction time, thus reduction in heart rate.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): NSAIDs may reduce the hypotensive effect of bisoprolol.
Beta-sympathomimetics (e.g. isoprenaline, dobutamine): Combination with bisoprolol may reduce the effect of both agents.
Sympathomimetics that activate both beta- and alpha-adrenoceptors (e.g. norepinephrine, epinephrine): Combination with bisoprolol may unmask the alpha-adrenoceptor-mediated vasoconstrictor effects of these agents leading to blood pressure increase and exacerbated intermittent claudication. Such interactions are considered to be more likely with nonselective beta-blockers.
Concomitant use with antihypertensive agents as well as with other drugs with blood pressure lowering potential (e.g. tricyclic antidepressants, barbiturates, phenothiazines) may increase the risk of hypotension.
Combinations to be considered: Mefloquine: Increased risk of bradycardia.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (except MAO-B inhibitors): Enhanced hypotensive effect of the beta-blockers but also risk of hypertensive crisis.