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Cardicor: Full Drug Profile

Medically reviewed by Min Clinic Staff | Updated: January 2026

Cardicor - General Information

A cardioselective beta-1-adrenergic blocker. It is effective in the management of hypertension and angina pectoris.

 

Pharmacology of Cardicor

Cardicor is a competitive, beta(1)-selective (cardioselective) adrenergic antagonist. Cardicor is used to treat hypertension, arrhythmias, coronary heart disease, glaucoma, and is also used to reduce non-fatal cardiac events in patients with heart failure. Activation of beta(1)-receptors (located mainly in the heart) by epinephrine increases the heart rate and the blood pressure, and the heart consumes more oxygen. Drugs such as Cardicor that block these receptors therefore have the reverse effect: they lower the heart rate and blood pressure and hence are used in conditions when the heart itself is deprived of oxygen. They are routinely prescribed in patients with ischemic heart disease. In addition, beta(1)-selective blockers prevent the release of renin, which is a hormone produced by the kidneys which leads to constriction of blood vessels. Cardicor is lipophilic and exhibits no intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA) or membrane stabilizing activity.

 

Cardicor for patients

Patients especially those with coronary artery disease should be warned about discontinuing use of ZEBETA without a physician's supervision. Patients should also be advised to consult a physician if any difficulty in breathing occurs, or if they develop signs or symptoms of congestive heart failure or excessive bradycardia.

Patients subject to spontaneous hypoglycemia, or diabetic patients receiving insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents should be cautioned that beta-blockers may mask some of the manifestations of hypoglycemia, particularly tachycardia, and bisoprolol fumarate should be used with caution. Patients should know how they react to this medicine before they operate automobiles and machinery or engage in other tasks requiring alertness.

 

Cardicor Interactions

ZEBETA should not be combined with other beta-blocking agents. Patients receiving catecholamine-depleting drugs, such as reserpine or guanethidine, should be closely monitored, because the added beta-adrenergic blocking action of ZEBETA may produce excessive reduction of sympathetic activity. In patients receiving concurrent therapy with clonidine, if therapy is to be discontinued, it is suggested that ZEBETA be discontinued for several days before the withdrawal of clonidine.

ZEBETA should be used with care when 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, are used concurrently.

Concurrent use of rifampin increases the metabolic clearance of ZEBETA, resulting in a shortened elimination half-life of ZEBETA. However, initial dose modification is generally not necessary. Pharmacokinetic studies document no clinically relevant interactions with other agents given concomitantly, including thiazide diuretics, digoxin, and cimetidine. There was no effect of ZEBETA on prothrombin time in patients on stable doses of warfarin.

Risk of Anaphylactic Reaction: While taking beta-blockers, patients with a history of severe anaphylactic reaction to a variety of allergens may be more reactive to repeated challenge, either accidental, diagnostic, or therapeutic. Such patients may be unresponsive to the usual doses of epinephrine used to treat allergic reactions.

 

Cardicor Contraindications

ZEBETA is contraindicated in patients with cardiogenic shock, overt cardiac failure, second or third degree AV block, and marked sinus bradycardia.

 

Additional information about Cardicor

Cardicor Indication: For the management of hypertension and prophylaxis treatment of angina pectoris and heart failure. Mechanism Of Action: Cardicor selectively blocks catecholamine stimulation of beta(1)-adrenergic receptors in the heart and vascular smooth muscle. This results in a reduction of heart rate, cardiac output, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and possibly reflex orthostatic hypotension. Cardicor can also competitively block beta(2)-adrenergic responses in the bronchial and vascular smooth muscles, causing bronchospasm. Drug Interactions: Acetohexamide The beta-blocker decreases the symptoms of hypoglycemia Chlorpropamide The beta-blocker decreases the symptoms of hypoglycemia Clonidine Increased hypertension when clonidine stopped Dihydroergotamine Ischemia with risk of gangrene Dihydroergotoxine Ischemia with risk of gangrene Disopyramide The beta-blocker increases toxicity of disopyramide Epinephrine Hypertension, then bradycardia Ergonovine Ischemia with risk of gangrene Ergotamine Ischemia with risk of gangrene Fenoterol Antagonism Formoterol Antagonism Gliclazide The beta-blocker decreases the symptoms of hypoglycemia Glipizide The beta-blocker decreases the symptoms of hypoglycemia Glisoxepide The beta-blocker decreases the symptoms of hypoglycemia Glibenclamide The beta-blocker decreases the symptoms of hypoglycemia Glycodiazine The beta-blocker decreases the symptoms of hypoglycemia Ibuprofen Risk of inhibition of renal prostaglandins Indomethacin Risk of inhibition of renal prostaglandins Insulin The beta-blocker decreases the symptoms of hypoglycemia Insulin-aspart The beta-blocker decreases the symptoms of hypoglycemia Insulin-detemir The beta-blocker decreases the symptoms of hypoglycemia Insulin-glargine The beta-blocker decreases the symptoms of hypoglycemia Insulin-glulisine The beta-blocker decreases the symptoms of hypoglycemia Insulin-lispro The beta-blocker decreases the symptoms of hypoglycemia Isoproterenol Antagonism Lidocaine The beta-blocker increases the effect and toxicity of lidocaine Methysergide Ischemia with risk of gangrene Orciprenaline Antagonism Pirbuterol Antagonism Piroxicam Risk of inhibition of renal prostaglandins Prazosin Risk of hypotension at the beginning of therapy Procaterol Antagonism Repaglinide The beta-blocker decreases the symptoms of hypoglycemia Rifampin Rifampin decreases the effect of the metabolized beta-blocker Salbutamol Antagonism Salmeterol Antagonism Terbutaline Antagonism Tolazamide The beta-blocker decreases the symptoms of hypoglycemia Tolbutamide The beta-blocker decreases the symptoms of hypoglycemia Verapamil Increased effect of both drugs Food Interactions: Take without regard to meals. Generic Name: Bisoprolol Synonyms: Bisoprolol Fumarate; Bisoprolol fumerate; Bisoprolol Hemifumarate Drug Category: Sympatholytics; Antihypertensive Agents; Adrenergic Agents Drug Type: Small Molecule; Approved Other Brand Names containing Bisoprolol: Cardicor; Concor; Condyline; Condylox; Detensiel; Emconcor; Emcor; Euradal; Isoten; Monocor; Soloc; Soprol; Zebeta; Absorption: 80% Toxicity (Overdose): Oral, mouse: LD50 = 100 mg/kg; Skin, rabbit: LD50 = 200 mg/kg; Skin, rat: LD50 = 500 mg/kg. Symptoms of overdose include congestive heart failure (marked by sudden weight gain, swelling of the legs, feet, and ankles, fatigue, and shortness of breath), difficult or labored breathing, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, and slow heartbeat. Protein Binding: Binding to serum proteins is approximately 30% Biotransformation: Hepatic Half Life: 9-12 hours Dosage Forms of Cardicor: Tablet Oral Chemical IUPAC Name: 1-(propan-2-ylamino)-3-[4-(2-propan-2-yloxyethoxymethyl)phenoxy]propan-2-ol Chemical Formula: C18H31NO4 Bisoprolol on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisoprolol Organisms Affected: Humans and other mammals