Lodoz 2.5 mg/6.25 mg, 5 mg/6.25 mg and 10 mg/6.25 mg film-coated tablets – bisoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide for high blood pressure

Lodoz is a combination medicine for lowering blood pressure that contains bisoprolol fumarate, a beta blocker, and hydrochlorothiazide, a thiazide diuretic that increases urine output. Together the two substances lower blood pressure.

It comes as film-coated tablets of 2.5 mg/6.25 mg, 5 mg/6.25 mg and 10 mg/6.25 mg (bisoprolol/hydrochlorothiazide), 30 tablets per pack.

What is Lodoz used for and how should it be taken correctly?

Basic information about the medicine

What is Lodoz used for?

According to the leaflet and SmPC, Lodoz is used for:

• treatment of mild to moderate high blood pressure (hypertension).

How is Lodoz used and dosed?

• The usual starting dose is one Lodoz 2.5 mg/6.25 mg tablet daily.
• If the blood pressure reduction is insufficient, the dose is increased to one 5 mg/6.25 mg tablet daily and then, if needed, to one 10 mg/6.25 mg tablet daily.
• The medicine is taken in the morning, with or without food; swallow the tablet with a little liquid, without chewing.
• Treatment must never be stopped abruptly; dose changes are decided by the doctor.

Special patient groups

• Children: experience is limited, use is not recommended.
• Impaired liver and kidney function: serious liver and kidney disease are contraindications; milder disorders require caution and monitoring.
• Diabetes, thyroid disorders, psoriasis, mild asthma: the medicine is used with particular caution under medical supervision.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

• allergy to bisoprolol, hydrochlorothiazide, other thiazides, sulphonamides or excipients;
• acute or decompensated heart failure, cardiogenic shock;
• second- and third-degree AV block, sick sinus syndrome, SA block, slow heart rate (bradycardia);
• severe bronchial asthma;
• severe peripheral arterial occlusive disease and severe Raynaud’s syndrome;
• untreated phaeochromocytoma;
• serious liver and kidney disease, metabolic acidosis, low potassium not responding to treatment.

Precautions and warnings

• heart disease (heart failure, rhythm disorders, Prinzmetal’s angina), circulation problems in the limbs;
• chronic lung disease or mild asthma – tell your doctor if breathing difficulty, cough or wheezing develop;
• diabetes, thyroid disorders, psoriasis, strict diet, gout;
• anaesthesia and desensitisation therapy;
• exposure to sun or UV light, previous skin cancer;
• decreased sharpness of vision or eye pain (possible choroidal effusion or acute glaucoma), especially with a history of penicillin or sulphonamide allergy;
• previous lung problems after hydrochlorothiazide;
• the doctor periodically checks electrolytes, blood fats, uric acid and blood sugar.

Interactions with other medicines, food and drink

• not recommended together with verapamil, diltiazem or bepridil and with lithium;
• with caution: other medicines for blood pressure, angina and arrhythmias, beta-blocker eye drops, insulin and oral antidiabetics, anaesthetics, digitalis, NSAIDs;
• medicines that lower potassium, corticosteroids, sympathomimetics, medicines that lower uric acid;
• colestyramine and colestipol, mefloquine;
• alcohol – particular caution, especially at the start of treatment.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• Use of the medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding; consult your doctor.

Driving and using machines

• The medicine usually does not affect the ability to drive, but individual reactions may reduce concentration – be careful at the start of treatment and with alcohol.

Possible side effects

• Common: feeling of cold or numbness in the hands and feet; tiredness, dizziness and headache (mostly at the start, disappearing within 1–2 weeks); nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation;
• Uncommon: muscle weakness and cramps, slow heart rate, rhythm disturbance, worsening of heart failure, drop in blood pressure on standing, sleep disturbance, depression, loss of appetite, breathing problems in asthmatics, electrolyte imbalance, raised blood fats, uric acid or blood sugar;
• Rare: nightmares, hallucinations, allergic reactions and skin sensitivity to sunlight, liver inflammation and jaundice, erection and hearing disorders, reduced tear production, fainting, low white cell or platelet counts;
• Very rare / not known: conjunctivitis, hair loss, psoriasis, chest pain, agranulocytosis, pancreatitis, severe skin and allergic reactions, acute respiratory distress, skin and lip cancer, interstitial lung disease, acute glaucoma.

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Overdose: inform a doctor immediately; low blood pressure, slow heart rate, heart problems, dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, breathing problems and low blood sugar may occur.
• Missed dose: take it as soon as you remember and the next one at the usual time; if it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one; do not take a double dose.
• Stopping: do not stop without medical advice – your condition may worsen; the dose is reduced gradually.

Related information

Lodoz is used long term, with regular checks of blood pressure, pulse and laboratory results. For additional care and support with high blood pressure, see also the category Blood pressure monitors – products in this category do not replace the medicine prescribed to you.

Composition, pack and manufacturer

• Active substances per film-coated tablet: bisoprolol fumarate 2.5 mg, 5 mg or 10 mg and hydrochlorothiazide 6.25 mg.
• Excipients (core): magnesium stearate; microcrystalline cellulose; maize starch; anhydrous calcium hydrogen phosphate; depending on strength also crospovidone, pregelatinised starch or colloidal silica. Coating: hypromellose, macrogol 400, polysorbate 80, titanium dioxide (E171); 2.5 mg/6.25 mg – yellow iron oxide; 5 mg/6.25 mg – yellow and red iron oxide.
• Appearance: round biconvex film-coated tablets with a heart-shaped mark – 2.5 mg/6.25 mg yellow (marked “2.5”), 5 mg/6.25 mg pastel pink (“5”), 10 mg/6.25 mg white (“10”).
• Marketing authorisation holder: Merck d.o.o. Belgrade. Manufacturer (per ALIMS renewal list): Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany.
• Authorisation numbers (06.07.2022): 2.5/6.25 mg – 515-01-02731-21-001; 5/6.25 mg – 515-01-02730-21-001; 10/6.25 mg – 515-01-02729-21-001.

Storage

• Store below 25 °C.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children; do not use after the expiry date.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Lodoz taken in the morning?

The leaflet states that the medicine must be taken in the morning, with or without food. Hydrochlorothiazide increases urine output, so morning use is in line with the leaflet.

Which strength is treatment started with?

Usually one 2.5 mg/6.25 mg tablet daily. If this is not enough, the doctor gradually moves to 5 mg/6.25 mg and then to 10 mg/6.25 mg.

What if I want to stop treatment?

Lodoz must not be stopped abruptly. If stopping is necessary, the doctor will advise a gradual dose reduction.

Can athletes use Lodoz?

The leaflet warns that the medicine contains substances that may give a positive doping test – professional athletes should inform their doctor.

Sources

• ALIMS – Patient information leaflet Lodoz (PIL)
• ALIMS – Summary of product characteristics Lodoz (SmPC)

Sources checked on: 25 October 2026.