- March 2, 2019
- Pathogens
- Savelyeva Victoria
In this article we will look at the side effects of Concor for men.
Cardiovascular diseases are one of the most common causes of death among men, especially after forty years. Therefore, pharmacologists have developed a number of drugs for the treatment of hypertension. One of the well-known drugs that help solve this problem is Concor. Its contraindications and side effects will be described below.
Release format and composition
The drug "Concor" is classified as a medicine that is intended to lower and stabilize blood pressure; it is prescribed for heart disease. This medication is produced in the form of tablets, they are coated with a yellow or orange coating. The tablets have a heart-shaped and biconvex shape. One pill contains 5 or 10 milligrams of the active ingredient, which is bisoprolol.
Magnesium stearate is used as excipients along with calcium hydrogen phosphate, corn starch, microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide and crospovidone. The shell contains macrogol, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, dimethicone and yellow dye.
It is important to find out in advance what the side effects of Concor are for men.
Concor price, where to buy
In Russia, the price of Concor 5 mg No. 50 ranges from 306-340 rubles; buying 50 tablets of 10 mg will cost 463-575 rubles. The cost of the medicine (5 mg No. 50) in Moscow starts from 313 rubles.
The price of Concor tablets in Ukraine 10 mg No. 50 averages 162 hryvnia.
- Online pharmacies in RussiaRussia
- Online pharmacies in UkraineUkraine
- Online pharmacies in KazakhstanKazakhstan
ZdravCity
- Concor KOR tablets p.p.o.
2.5 mg 30 pcs. Merck KGaA/LLC Nanolek RUB 152 order - Concor tablets p.p.o. 10 mg 30 pcs. Merck KGaA
RUB 286 order
- Concor tablets p.p.o. 5 mg 30 pcs. Merck KGaA
RUB 199 order
- Concor cor tablets p.p.o. 2.5 mg 30 pcs. E. Merck
RUB 152 order
- Concor tablets p.p.o. 5 mg 30 pcs. Merck KGaA/Nanolek LLC
RUB 203 order
Pharmacy Dialogue
- Concor Cor (tab.p.pl/vol. 2.5 mg No. 30)Merck KgaA
140 rub. order
- Concor (tab. 10 mg No. 50) Merck KgaA
RUB 495 order
- Concor (table 5 mg No. 30) Merck KgaA
206 rub. order
- Concor (tab. 10 mg No. 30) Merck KgaA
RUB 302 order
- Concor AM (tablet 5mg+5mg No. 30) Egis
RUB 421 order
show more
Pharmacy24
- Concor 5 mg N30 tablets Merck KGaA, Nimechchina
108 UAH order - Concor 5 mg N50 tablets Merck KGaA, Nimechchina
159 UAH order
- Concor 10 mg No. 30 tablets Merck KGaA, Nimechchina
168 UAH order
- Concor Cor 2.5 mg No. 30 tablets Merck KGaA, Nimechchina
95 UAH order
- Concor 10 mg N50 tablets Merck KGaA, Nimechchina
292 UAH. order
PaniPharmacy
- Concor tablets Concor tablets. 10 mg No. 50 Germany, Merck KGaA
300 UAH order
- Concor tablets Concor tablets. 5mg No. 30 Germany, Merck KGaA
127 UAH order
- Concor tablets Concor tablets. 10 mg No. 30 Germany, Merck KGaA
191 UAH order
- Concor cor tablets Concor cor tablets, film-coated 2.5 mg No. 30 Germany, Merck KGaA
103 UAH order
- Concor tablets Concor tablet 5mg No. 50 Germany, Merck KGaA
167 UAH order
show more
What is this medicine?
“Concor” is the trade name of the drug from the German manufacturer Merck, the active ingredient of which is bisoprolol fumarate. It is classified as a drug that is part of the group of selective adrenergic blockers that have a complex effect on the cardiovascular system. This medication has antiarrhythmic, hypotensive and antianginal effects. The medicine functions as follows:
- Makes blood vessels elastic and less permeable.
- Reduces the need for oxygen in the heart muscle.
- In minute terms, it reduces the volume of blood that circulates through the heart.
- Reduces myocardial excitability along with atrioventricular conduction.
This effect helps reduce heartbeat when the rhythm of the organ is disturbed and reduces blood pressure.
We will talk about the side effects of Concor with long-term use later. For now, let's look at the instructions.
Instructions for use and dosage
The drug "Concor" is prescribed only by a doctor, and he determines the required dosage of the drug in each case and for various diagnoses. The drug is taken in the morning, before or after breakfast. For the treatment of angina and arterial hypertension, doctors select an individual regimen based on the patient’s condition.
In normal cases, the drug is prescribed one pill once a day. If the need arises, the amount of the drug is increased to two tablets of 5 milligrams (or one tablet of 10 milligrams is prescribed). When diagnosed with angina or arterial hypertension, the maximum volume per day should not exceed 20 milligrams.
Treatment regimen and permissible amounts of bisoprolol
According to the instructions, this beta blocker is taken once a day, preferably in the morning, after meals. Concor Cor tablets (no matter what the medication is used for - be it coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure or hypertension) do not need to be chewed or crushed; they are swallowed whole and washed down with a small volume of water.
To carry out therapeutic measures for chronic heart failure using the drug "Concor Cor", it is first recommended to titrate the dose. The essence of the process is as follows: during the 1st week, the volume of beta blocker taken in terms of bisoprolol is 1.25 mg, in the 2nd week the dosage is doubled (2.5 mg), in the 3rd week it is 3.75 mg. During the period from the 4th week until the end of the 7th dose is 5 mg of bisoprolol per day; from the 8th week to the 11th – 7.5 mg. Starting from the 12th week, the maximum possible dose is 10 mg. The dosage should (and can) be increased only after making sure that the previous one is tolerated normally and does not cause negative sensations.
Here on the surface is the essence of the answer to the question of how Concor differs from Concor Cor: the second option (2.5 mg of bisoprolol) is ideal for starting therapeutic measures for persistent chronic conditions of heart failure, while the first (5 or 10 mg) is more suitable for maintenance treatment.
If at any point during dose selection symptoms of heart failure appear, medical experts recommend adjusting the dosage of diuretics or ACE inhibitors taken in parallel. When, after some time, the condition improves, it is necessary to continue the process of titrating Concor Cor.
Therapy using this medication is long-term. This beta blocker should be withdrawn slowly, especially for patients suffering from coronary artery disease.
For chronic heart failure
For chronic heart failure, this medicine is prescribed only after passing the mandatory titration stage and as part of constant medical supervision. For treatment with the drug in question, preliminary tests of the patient’s condition are carried out, which should show the need for Concor therapy. If within six weeks heart failure has not developed into acute forms, then the patient can be prescribed treatment with Concor. Among other things, this medicine can be prescribed to patients if previously prescribed medications did not provide the desired therapeutic effect that can be achieved with the help of this remedy.
Treatment with this medicine is long-term. If there is a need for a break, it is carried out, but the resumption must proceed in compliance with all required standards. Therapy is never abruptly interrupted when a patient develops coronary artery disease. In such a situation, the amount of medication is gradually reduced. Independent adjustments to the dosage and use of tablets are not recommended; all decisions should be made only by the cardiologist monitoring the patient.
Who is recommended to take the drug and who is not?
What are the indications for use of Concor Cor? Consumer reviews confirm the high effectiveness of this medicine. It is recommended to be taken to treat heart failure and prevent the development of such conditions in the early stages. To be precise, healthcare providers prescribe this beta blocker for the treatment of persistent chronic heart failure with reduced left ventricular systolic function. Typically, Concor Cor is prescribed in parallel with ACE inhibitors, diuretics, and cardiac glycosides.
So that no one has the desire to prescribe this medication for themselves, without a doctor’s instructions, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the impressive list of contraindications for taking Concor Cor.
In addition to the obligatory instructions for any medication regarding the prohibition in the presence of intolerance to the components included in the drug and the age of the patients (up to 18 years inclusive - there is no information about the effectiveness and safety), there are many more reasons and diseases for which this drug should not be taken.
"Concor Cor" instructions for use (analogs - modern beta blockers - have similar instructions about the inadmissibility of use) prohibits use by patients with acute heart failure and decompensated chronic failure. The drug is not prescribed for use in cases of collapse and cardiogenic shock (a condition caused by dysfunction of the heart). This beta blocker should not be taken if there are large deviations in AV conduction (II, III degree of AV blockade) without a pacemaker. Also grounds for refusal to take the drug are the presence of bradycardia (heart rate (heart rate) less than 50 beats/min.), sinoatrial block (deterioration of the passage of the sinus impulse through the sinoatrial connection). The medication is contraindicated in patients suffering from Prinzmetal's angina (spasms of the vessels supplying the heart with simultaneous ST segment elevation) and sick sinus syndrome (SSNS).
You should not take Concor Cor with low systolic blood pressure (below 90 mm Hg), with severe bronchial asthma, or with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Further, the use of the drug "Concor Cor" is unacceptable in the presence of deviations from the norm in the peripheral circulatory system (more relevant to the later stages), with Raynaud's disease, pheochromocytoma (benign or malignant tumor of the APUD system), with metabolic acidosis (displacement of the acid-base balance towards an increase in acidity due to the accumulation of acidic products in tissues, their insufficient binding or destruction).
Contraindications
The medicine is not used when the patient has been diagnosed with:
- The presence of a decompensated form of heart failure.
- Development of atrioventricular block.
- For sinus node dysfunction.
- Against the background of symptomatic bradycardia.
- For arterial hypotension.
- In case of development of bronchial asthma.
- Against the background of severe disorders of peripheral blood circulation.
- For untreated pheochromocytoma and metabolic acidosis.
- In case of hypersensitivity to bisoprolol fumarate.
In addition, the medicine is not used in pediatric practice, as well as in the treatment of nursing and pregnant women.
Side effects of Concor for men may not appear at all if the dosage is followed.
Contraindications to the use of the drug Concor tablets
What and how to take the medicine correctly was described above, but you should also know that the drug cannot be used for:
- individual intolerance to the main and or auxiliary components, as well as other beta-blockers;
- acute heart failure;
- decompensated heart failure;
- shock conditions caused by cardiac dysfunction;
- sinoatrial block;
- severe bradycardia;
- pronounced decrease in blood pressure;
- bronchial asthma (severe form);
- severe disorders of arterial peripheral circulation;
- chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases;
- metabolic acidosis;
- Raynaud's disease.
Use the medication with caution in conditions such as:
- Prinzmetal's angina;
- diabetes mellitus, which is characterized by significant fluctuations in the amount of glucose in the blood;
- diabetes mellitus (type 1);
- restrictive cardiomyopathy;
- severe liver failure;
- psoriasis;
- congenital heart defects;
- hyperthyroidism;
- carrying out desensitizing treatment in patients who adhere to a strict diet.
Effect on potency
How is the drug "Concor" and potency related? Does this medication really have an effect on male potency? Is it possible to somehow avoid this or minimize the side effects? Let's look at these questions next. The breakdown products of the drug are excreted from the body by the kidneys, so there is a direct effect of metabolites on the male genitourinary system. Sexual functions are inhibited, which interferes with healthy sexual activity. At the same time, scientists have not yet found the answer to whether this drug affects erection more than the disease itself and its symptoms.
Bisoprolol (the active component of the drug in question) can indeed affect male potency by reducing blood flow in the pelvic organs. This is noted by many men suffering from hypertension and heart disease who have been prescribed this remedy. However, doctors believe that not everything is so simple. After all, the diseases for which this drug is prescribed themselves significantly disrupt the functioning of a number of important systems, which is why sexual function also suffers. In particular, the following consequences from hypertension and cardiovascular diseases are noted:
- The appearance of disturbances in the blood vessels leads to a sharp decrease in the content of oxygen and nutritional ingredients in various tissues, including such important organs for potency as the testicles and prostate gland.
- Changes in the functioning of the heart cause a deterioration in physical abilities, such as endurance, and this greatly interferes with the performance of full sexual intercourse.
- Deviations in kidney function cause changes in the salt and water balance in the body, and this affects hormonal levels.
All such manifestations can be stopped with the help of long-term use of adrenergic blockers, which are unsafe for men's health. Thus, a vicious circle is obtained, from which men must look for a way out together with their doctor.
According to reviews, side effects of Concor occur very often, especially if the use is long-term.
"Concor Cor" and pregnancy
Taking the beta blocker "Concor Cor" during pregnancy is possible only in cases where its expected benefit to the mother's health outweighs the possible risk to the developing baby.
Any beta blockers (and Concor Cor among them) reduce the intensity of blood flow in the placenta and thus can have a negative effect on the baby’s intrauterine development. If, nevertheless, the medication is prescribed to a pregnant woman, health workers should constantly monitor blood flow in the placenta and uterus, as well as monitor the growth and development of the child. If any negative factors appear for the woman and child, it is necessary to move on to other, alternative methods of treatment.
After birth, the child must be carefully examined. During the first 3 days, the baby's blood glucose levels may decrease, and symptoms of bradycardia (decreased heart rate) may also develop.
As for nursing women, there is no information about the excretion of bisoprolol in breast milk or its safety for the baby. Therefore, if it is necessary to take Concor Cor during this period, it is necessary to decide on the termination of lactation.
Side effects for men
Impaired potency from the consumption of pharmacological antihypertensive drugs has its differences from the signs characteristic of decreased libido due to the underlying disease. Bisoprolol, however, like its analogues, primarily affects the nervous system. It perceives the effects of active compounds before other organs. The patient will be able to determine this if he begins to experience the following side effects from Concor tablets:
- The occurrence of dizziness and regular headaches.
- The appearance of fatigue that does not go away even after normal rest.
- The presence of a constant desire to sleep.
- The appearance of a change in color perception.
With long-term use
If the medicine is taken in courses over a long period of time, the patient’s condition may worsen further, resulting in the following symptoms:
- The occurrence of nightmares during sleep.
- Having high anxiety.
- The presence of an unreasonable feeling of fear.
The side effects of Concor are described in detail in the instructions for use.
Such serious psychological disorders, of course, minimize any sexual desire, since the patient is in a depressed emotional state. In the case of a constant desire to sleep, patients are afraid to fall asleep so as not to have nightmares. This situation leads to severe depression in two percent of people treated with this drug.
It is in patients from this group that impotence occurs. At first, the penis is filled with blood and is quite capable of sexual intercourse, but it will be impossible to complete the act, since ejaculation cannot occur even after several hours. As the disease progresses, the ability to have an erection also weakens. Treatment with drugs based on this substance is not recommended for people with unstable mental health and those who are prone to suicide. For them, medications are selected based on alternative chemical compounds, perhaps not as effective, but with the least burden on the nervous system.
What do doctors advise about the side effects of the drug Concor?
Concor in the fight against tachycardia: effectiveness, dosage and contraindications
Please note that dosages in all cases are determined individually. We cannot give recommendations to our readers because we do not have information about the medical history or complete health record of the person. Official sources indicate that the intake is carried out in an increasing manner - the initial dosages can be within 1.
In case of an overdose of Concor, a person may experience symptoms such as bradycardia, bronchospasm, severe hypotension or heart failure. If the first symptoms of an overdose appear, it is recommended to stop treatment with this drug.
Doctors' recommendations
For men of absolutely any age and condition, it is extremely important to remain sexually competent. Doctors understand this and try, if possible, not to prescribe bisoprolol-based medications to young people. True, this is not always possible, since refusal of beta-blockers in the presence of severe hypertension can lead to dangerous consequences in the form of a stroke or myocardial infarction. You can slightly reduce the side effects of Concor with long-term use and the effect on sexual function if you follow these recommendations from experts:
- You need to forget about all your bad habits. Smoking with alcohol provokes an increase in blood pressure. If you lead a normal lifestyle, then after some time you can consult a doctor about a possible reduction in the dosage of the medicine.
- It is important to strictly follow the diet prescribed by the doctor. A balanced diet reduces the risk of sudden changes in blood pressure.
- If necessary (in case of nervous disorders, depression), you must agree to work with a psychotherapist. Suppressing your own fear and neuroses helps improve your emotional background, reviving a man’s intimate life.
Reviews from doctors and patients
Men confirm the effectiveness of the drug in the treatment of arterial hypertension. But they also complain about problems with potency when using it. Side effects of Concor Cor should not be ignored.
The comments note that reducing the dosage if the condition improves is allowed only on the recommendation of a doctor and subject to his supervision.
Experts, in turn, write that even in situations where a decision has been made to abandon Concor, you should not immediately stop taking it, as this can cause very dangerous consequences, even death. It is necessary to reduce the dosage of the drug gradually, and this entire process should take at least a week, and preferably more. According to doctors, after each reduction in dosage by 1.25 milligrams, you should carefully monitor your condition and pulse rate.
We looked at the side effects of Concor with long-term use.
Concor's analogues
According to the active substance, i.e. structural analogues of Concor are: Bicard, Biprolol, Bisogamma, Bisokard, Bisoprofar, Bisostad, Dorez, Coronal, Concor Cor, Corbis, Cordinorm, Cordinorm Cor.
Based on belonging to the same pharmacological group, mechanism of action and similarity of the effect on the human body, analogues of Concor can be considered: Azoprol, Alotendin, Atobene, Atenol, Atenolol, Betak, Betakor, Betalok, Breviblock, Hypotef, Concor AM, Corvitol, Logimax, Lokren, Metocor, Metoprolol, Nebival, Nebicard, Nebikor, Nebilet, Nebilong AM, Tenolol, Tenochek, Egilok and others.
