Patient/Family Teaching

• Instruct patient to take nebivolol as directed, at the same time each day, even if feeling well. If a dose is missed, skip missed dose and take next scheduled dose; do not double doses. Do not discontinue without consulting health care professional. Abrupt withdrawal may precipitate life-threatening arrhythmias, hypertension, or myocardial ischemia

• Advise patient to ensure that enough medication is available for weekends, holidays, and vacations. A written prescription may be kept in the wallet for emergencies

• Reinforce the need to continue additional therapies for hypertension (weight loss, sodium restriction, stress reduction, regular exercise, moderation of alcohol consumption, and smoking cessation). Medication controls but does not cure hypertension

• Teach patient and family how to check pulse and blood pressure. Instruct them to check pulse daily and blood pressure biweekly and to report significant changes to health care professional

• Instruct patient to consult health care professional before taking any Rx, OTC, or herbal products, especially cold preparations, concurrently with this medication. Patients on antihypertensive therapy should also avoid excessive amounts of coffee, tea, and cola

• May mask some signs of hypoglycemia, especially tachycardia. Diabetics should closely monitor blood sugar, especially if weakness, malaise, irritability, or fatigue occurs. Medication does not block dizziness or sweating as signs of hypoglycemia

• May cause dizziness. Caution patients to avoid driving or other activities requiring alertness until response to medication is known

• Advise patient to notify health care professional if difficulty breathing or signs and symptoms of worsening CHF (weight gain, increasing shortness or breath, excessive bradycardia) occur

• Instruct patient to inform health care professional of medication regimen before treatment or surgery

• Advise patient to carry identification describing disease process and medication regimen at all times

• Advise female patients that breastfeeding should be avoided during nebivolol therapy

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