Evigrade

Nebivolol

AEMPS

Highly selective β1-blocker with endothelial nitric oxide release

ATC code: C07AB12

Updated · Methodology

Indications

A

Hypertension

First line

In hypertension, β-blockers are no longer universal first-line per 2024 – they are preferred when comorbid indications exist (CAD, HF, tachyarrhythmia). Among β-blockers, nebivolol has the most favorable metabolic profile, with less weight gain and glucose intolerance. Standard dose 5 mg once daily; start at 2.5 mg in older adults.

ICD-10: I10 · ICD-11: BA00

Marketing claims without evidence base

The drug is promoted for these uses outside international guidelines. Each entry below is analyzed against AEMPS, FDA, EMA, Cochrane and major RCTs.

F

Anti-aging and longevity

Not recommended

Nebivolol is a selective β1-adrenergic blocker with additional NO-mediated vasodilating activity. It is prescribed for hypertension and heart failure in older adults ( 2023, SEH-LELHA). In anti-aging regimens, nebivolol is promoted as a modern selective β1-blocker with NO effects for healthy normotensives. In people with normal blood pressure, no clinical studies of prophylactic use exist. The drug causes bradycardia, hypotension, fatigue, and headache. If nebivolol was prescribed to a healthy person, consider seeking a second opinion.

How to read tiers A–F
  • AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
  • BRecommended in selected cases
  • CStudy data contradict each other
  • DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
  • FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit

Mechanism of action

The d-enantiomer is a highly selective β1-antagonist (β1/β2 selectivity ~290:1 in Caucasians). The l-enantiomer stimulates endothelial NO synthase, producing peripheral vasodilation and reduced vascular resistance. Less likely than classical β-blockers to cause bronchospasm, cold extremities, and sexual dysfunction. CYP2D6-metabolized – exposure rises 5–10-fold in poor metabolizers.

Safety

Contraindications

  • Acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock
  • Second- or third-degree AV block without pacemaker
  • Sick sinus syndrome
  • Severe bradycardia (HR under 50/min)
  • Severe asthma (for doses over 5 mg)
  • Metabolic acidosis
  • Severe hepatic impairment
  • Untreated pheochromocytoma without α-blockade

Serious adverse effects

  • AV block
  • Bronchospasm in susceptible patients
  • Heart failure decompensation with overdose in low-EF patients
  • Masking of hypoglycemia symptoms in diabetes

Common adverse effects

  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Bradycardia
  • Dizziness
  • GI complaints

Pregnancy: can you take Nebivolol?

β-blockers in T3 are linked to fetal growth restriction and neonatal hypoglycemia and bradycardia. For pregnancy hypertension, labetalol or methyldopa with more data are preferred.

Breastfeeding: can you take Nebivolol?

Limited data. When a β-blocker is needed during lactation, metoprolol with better lactation data is preferred.

Reference information, not a clinical decision. Discuss feeding pauses or changes with your physician or an IBCLC.

Practical notes

Timing and administration

Take once daily, with or without food. Abrupt discontinuation is hazardous – rebound tachycardia, BP rise, and MI risk; taper over 1–2 weeks. In CYP2D6 poor metabolizers (~5–10% of Caucasians), exposure is higher – tolerability worsens and bradycardia risk increases, so start at 2.5 mg.
Label mentions50 mentions

Verbatim lines from the interaction sections, in the language of the label

From this drug’s label

  • Majorantiarrítmicosclass named in the label
    «Antiarrítmicos de clase I (quinidina, hidroquinidina, cibenzolina, flecainida, disopiramida, lidocaína, mexiletina, propafenona): puede potenciarse el efecto sobre el tiempo de conducción…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • «Antihipertensivos de acción central (clonidina, guanfacina, moxonidina, metildopa, rilmenidina): el uso concomitante de antihipertensivos de acción central puede empeorar la insuficiencia cardiaca a…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • «Hypotensive Agents: Do not use nebivolol tablets with other β-blockers. Closely monitor patients receiving catecholamine-depleting drugs, such as reserpine or guanethidine, because the added…»

    FDA, section 7 · Open on DailyMed

  • «Antagonistas de los canales del calcio de tipo verapamilo/diltiazem : influencia negativa sobre la contractilidad y la conducción auriculoventricular. La administración intravenosa de verapamilo en…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • «Antiarrítmicos de clase I (quinidina, hidroquinidina, cibenzolina, flecainida, disopiramida, lidocaína, mexiletina, propafenona): puede potenciarse el efecto sobre el tiempo de conducción…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • «Antiarrítmicos de clase I (quinidina, hidroquinidina, cibenzolina, flecainida, disopiramida, lidocaína, mexiletina, propafenona): puede potenciarse el efecto sobre el tiempo de conducción…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • «Antiarrítmicos de clase I (quinidina, hidroquinidina, cibenzolina, flecainida, disopiramida, lidocaína, mexiletina, propafenona): puede potenciarse el efecto sobre el tiempo de conducción…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • «Antihipertensivos de acción central (clonidina, guanfacina, moxonidina, metildopa, rilmenidina): el uso concomitante de antihipertensivos de acción central puede empeorar la insuficiencia cardiaca a…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • «Antihipertensivos de acción central (clonidina, guanfacina, moxonidina, metildopa, rilmenidina): el uso concomitante de antihipertensivos de acción central puede empeorar la insuficiencia cardiaca a…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • «Antiarrítmicos de clase I (quinidina, hidroquinidina, cibenzolina, flecainida, disopiramida, lidocaína, mexiletina, propafenona): puede potenciarse el efecto sobre el tiempo de conducción…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • «Antiarrítmicos de clase I (quinidina, hidroquinidina, cibenzolina, flecainida, disopiramida, lidocaína, mexiletina, propafenona): puede potenciarse el efecto sobre el tiempo de conducción…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • «Antagonistas de los canales del calcio de tipo verapamilo/diltiazem : influencia negativa sobre la contractilidad y la conducción auriculoventricular. La administración intravenosa de verapamilo en…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • ModerateCYP2D6 inhibitorsclass named in the label
    «CYP2D6 Inhibitors: Use caution when nebivolol tablets are co-administered with CYP2D6 inhibitors (quinidine, propafenone, fluoxetine, paroxetine, etc.) [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.5 )] .»

    FDA, section 7 · Open on DailyMed

  • ModerateFluoxetine
    «CYP2D6 Inhibitors: Use caution when nebivolol tablets are co-administered with CYP2D6 inhibitors (quinidine, propafenone, fluoxetine, paroxetine, etc.) [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.5 )] .»

    FDA, section 7 · Open on DailyMed

  • ModerateParoxetine
    «CYP2D6 Inhibitors: Use caution when nebivolol tablets are co-administered with CYP2D6 inhibitors (quinidine, propafenone, fluoxetine, paroxetine, etc.) [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.5 )] .»

    FDA, section 7 · Open on DailyMed

  • ModeratePropafenone
    «CYP2D6 Inhibitors: Use caution when nebivolol tablets are co-administered with CYP2D6 inhibitors (quinidine, propafenone, fluoxetine, paroxetine, etc.) [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.5 )] .»

    FDA, section 7 · Open on DailyMed

  • ModerateQuinidine
    «CYP2D6 Inhibitors: Use caution when nebivolol tablets are co-administered with CYP2D6 inhibitors (quinidine, propafenone, fluoxetine, paroxetine, etc.) [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.5 )] .»

    FDA, section 7 · Open on DailyMed

  • AINEclass named in the label
    «Asociaciones que es preciso valorar : Antiinflamatorios no esteroideos (AINE): no afectan al efecto reductor de la presión arterial del nebivolol.»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • «Antiarrítmicos de clase III (amiodarona): puede potenciarse el efecto sobre el tiempo de conducción auriculoventricular.»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • «Asociaciones que es preciso valorar : Antagonistas del calcio de tipo dihidropiridina (amlodipino, felodipino, lacidipino, nifedipino, nicardipino, nimodipino, nitrendipino): su uso concomitante…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • antagonistas del calcioclass named in the label
    «Asociaciones que es preciso valorar : Antagonistas del calcio de tipo dihidropiridina (amlodipino, felodipino, lacidipino, nifedipino, nicardipino, nimodipino, nitrendipino): su uso concomitante…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • antiácidosclass named in the label
    «La administración concomitante de cimetidina aumentó las concentraciones plasmáticas de nebivolol, sin modificar su efecto clínico. La administración concomitante de ranitidina no afectó a las…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • antiarrhythmicsclass named in the label
    «Calcium Channel Blockers: Nebivolol tablets can exacerbate the effects of myocardial depressants or inhibitors of AV conduction, such as certain calcium antagonists (particularly of the…»

    FDA, section 7 · Open on DailyMed

  • antidepresivos tricíclicosclass named in the label
    «Asociaciones que es preciso valorar : Antipsicóticos, antidepresivos (tricíclicos, barbitúricos y fenotiazinas): el uso concomitante puede aumentar el efecto hipotensor de los beta-bloqueantes…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • antidiabéticosclass named in the label
    «Insulina y antidiabéticos orales: aunque el nebivolol no afecta a las concentraciones de glucosa, su uso concomitante puede enmascarar ciertos síntomas de hipoglucemia (palpitaciones, taquicardia)…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • antidiabéticos oralesclass named in the label
    «Insulina y antidiabéticos orales: aunque el nebivolol no afecta a las concentraciones de glucosa, su uso concomitante puede enmascarar ciertos síntomas de hipoglucemia (palpitaciones, taquicardia)…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • antineoplásicosclass named in the label
    «Baclofeno (antiespástico), amifostina (adyuvante antineoplásico): es probable que su uso concomitante con antihipertensivos aumente el descenso de la presión arterial, por lo que la pauta de…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • antipsicóticosclass named in the label
    «Asociaciones que es preciso valorar : Antipsicóticos, antidepresivos (tricíclicos, barbitúricos y fenotiazinas): el uso concomitante puede aumentar el efecto hipotensor de los beta-bloqueantes…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • barbitúricosclass named in the label
    «Asociaciones que es preciso valorar : Antipsicóticos, antidepresivos (tricíclicos, barbitúricos y fenotiazinas): el uso concomitante puede aumentar el efecto hipotensor de los beta-bloqueantes…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • calcium channel blockersclass named in the label
    «7. DRUG INTERACTIONS: • Verapamil- or diltiazem-type calcium channel blockers may cause excessive reductions in heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac contractility. ( 7.4 )»

    FDA, section 7 · Open on DailyMed

  • digitálicosclass named in the label
    «Asociaciones que es preciso valorar : Glucósidos digitálicos: su uso concomitante puede aumentar el tiempo de conducción auriculoventricular. Los ensayos clínicos con nebivolol no han revelado datos…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • digitalisclass named in the label
    «7. DRUG INTERACTIONS: • Both digitalis glycosides and β-blockers slow atrioventricular conduction and decrease heart rate. Concomitant use can increase the risk of bradycardia. ( 7.3 )»

    FDA, section 7 · Open on DailyMed

  • «Asociaciones que es preciso valorar : Glucósidos digitálicos: su uso concomitante puede aumentar el tiempo de conducción auriculoventricular. Los ensayos clínicos con nebivolol no han revelado datos…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • «7. DRUG INTERACTIONS: • Verapamil- or diltiazem-type calcium channel blockers may cause excessive reductions in heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiac contractility. ( 7.4 )»

    FDA, section 7 · Open on DailyMed

  • «Calcium Channel Blockers: Nebivolol tablets can exacerbate the effects of myocardial depressants or inhibitors of AV conduction, such as certain calcium antagonists (particularly of the…»

    FDA, section 7 · Open on DailyMed

  • «Dado que en el metabolismo del nebivolol interviene la isoenzima CYP2D6, la administración concomitante de sustancias inhibidoras de esta enzima, especialmente la paroxetina, la fluoxetina, la…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • «La asociación de nebivolol con nicardipino generó un ligero aumento de las concentraciones plasmáticas de ambos fármacos, sin modificar su efecto clínico. La administración concomitante de alcohol…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • «La asociación de nebivolol con nicardipino generó un ligero aumento de las concentraciones plasmáticas de ambos fármacos, sin modificar su efecto clínico. La administración concomitante de alcohol…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

From other drugs’ labels

  • «Otros medicamentos metabolizados por CYP2D6 : Fluoxetina es un potente inhibidor de la enzima CYP2D6, por lo que los tratamientos concomitantes con medicamentos que sean también metabolizados por…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

  • ModerateClobazam
    «Substratos CYP2D6: Clobazam es un inhibidor débil del CYP2D6. Puede ser necesario un ajuste de la dosis de los medicamentos metabolizados por el CYP2D6 (por ejemplo, dextrometorfano, pimozida…»

    AEMPS, section 4.5 · Open on CIMA

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Frequently asked

What is Nebivolol used for?

Nebivolol is evaluated for the following indications with varying evidence strength: Hypertension (evidence tier A), Heart failure (evidence tier A), Anti-aging and longevity (evidence tier F). See the full indication matrix with dosing and citations above on this page.

What are the side effects of Nebivolol?

Common side effects of Nebivolol (≥ 1 in 100): Headache, Fatigue, Bradycardia, Dizziness, GI complaints. See the Safety section for uncommon and serious reactions.

Is Nebivolol safe during pregnancy?

β-blockers in T3 are linked to fetal growth restriction and neonatal hypoglycemia and bradycardia. For pregnancy hypertension, labetalol or methyldopa with more data are preferred.

Is Nebivolol compatible with breastfeeding?

Limited data. When a β-blocker is needed during lactation, metoprolol with better lactation data is preferred.

Who should not take Nebivolol?

Nebivolol is contraindicated in: Acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock; Second- or third-degree AV block without pacemaker; Sick sinus syndrome; Severe bradycardia (HR under 50/min); Severe asthma (for doses over 5 mg). Full list in the Safety section.

Official sources

Direct links to regulator labels. Open in a new tab.

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