*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature L: Laxatives.

Taking Bisoprolol With Other Medicines And Herbal Supplements

NHS medicines information on possible interactions with bisoprolol and other medicines, herbal remedies and supplements.

Cautions with other medicines

There are some medicines that may affect the way bisoprolol works.

Tell your doctor if you're taking any of these:

other medicines for high blood pressure - the combination with bisoprolol can sometimes lower your blood pressure too much, which may make you feel dizzy or faint. If this keeps happening to you, tell your doctor as they may change your dose
other medicines that can lower your blood pressure, such as some antidepressants, nitrates (for chest pain), baclofen (a muscle relaxant), medicines for an enlarged prostate gland like tamsulosin, or Parkinson's disease medicines, such as co-careldopa and levodopa
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen - they can stop bisoprolol working as well as it should
steroids, like prednisolone
cough medicines that contain pseudoephedrine or xylometazoline
medicines for diabetes - bisoprolol may make it more difficult to recognise the warning signs of low blood sugar
medicines for allergies, such as ephedrine, noradrenaline or adrenaline
medicines for asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
rifampicin, an antibiotic

Mixing bisoprolol with herbal remedies and supplements

There's very little information about taking herbal remedies and supplements with bisoprolol. It's not possible to say whether they are safe to take together. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature L: Laxatives. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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