Key takeaways:
Ziac is a combination medication for high blood pressure. It contains bisoprolol, a beta blocker, and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a diuretic.
The usual Ziac starting dosage for adults is 2.5 mg bisoprolol / 6.25 mg HCTZ once daily. It can be increased every 2 weeks up to a maximum of 20 mg bisoprolol / 12.5 mg HCTZ once daily. Take Ziac in the morning with or without food.
It’s typically OK to take Ziac if you have liver or kidney problems. But if you have severe kidney problems, your prescriber will monitor your kidneys while taking Ziac. If there’s a change in your kidney health, they may recommend an alternative medication.
There are ways to save on Ziac, which is available as a brand-name and generic medication. With a free GoodRx coupon, you could save over 20% off the average retail price of the generic.
Ziac is a combination pill used to treat high blood pressure. It contains a beta blocker called bisoprolol and a diuretic (water pill) called hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). The two medications can work together to lower your blood pressure more than either one alone.
If you’ve been taking bisoprolol and HCTZ separately, Ziac can help reduce the number of pills you take. Below, we cover typical Ziac dosages and steps to take if you miss your dose.
Ziac is FDA approved to treat high blood pressure in adults. It’s available in several different doses, including:
2.5 mg bisoprolol / 6.25 mg HCTZ
5 mg bisoprolol / 6.25 mg HCTZ
10 mg bisoprolol / 6.25 mg HCTZ
The typical Ziac starting dosage is 2.5 mg bisoprolol / 6.25 mg HCTZ by mouth once daily. Depending on how you respond, your dosage may be increased to a maximum of 20 mg bisoprolol / 12.5 mg HCTZ once daily. It’s recommended to wait at least 2 weeks between dosage changes. That gives your body a chance to get used to the medication.
Take Ziac with or without food shortly after waking up. Ziac contains HCTZ, a diuretic, which can make you urinate more frequently. If you take Ziac too late in the day, you may need to wake up in the middle of the night more than usual to pee.
There aren’t any recommended dosage adjustments if you have liver or kidney disease. But if you have severe kidney problems, your prescriber will monitor your kidney health while you’re taking Ziac. They may ask you to stop taking Ziac if they think the medication is affecting your kidneys.
If you miss a dose of Ziac, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s close to your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take only the scheduled dose. Don’t take two doses at once to make up for the missed dose.
As mentioned above, the HCTZ in Ziac will make you urinate more frequently. If you take your dose too close to bedtime you could wake up needing to go to the bathroom.
Consistency is key to maintaining your blood pressure within your target range. If you’re having difficulty remembering to take your medication you may want to try a medication reminder app. A medication organizer can also help.
Convenience factor: If you’re taking more than one blood pressure medication you may be able to take them in a single pill. Here’s a list of combination medications for high blood pressure, plus ways to save.
Beta blocker side effects: Do you feel fatigued after taking bisoprolol? Learn more about beta blocker side effects and how to manage them.
Thiazide side effects: Hydrochlorothiazide is a common thiazide diuretic. It’s a helpful medication for some people, but it has possible side effects to be aware of.
Accidentally taking an extra dose of Ziac is unlikely to cause serious problems. It could temporarily cause low blood pressure. You may feel dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness. An extra dose of Ziac may also make you feel more fatigued than usual.
But large doses can cause serious side effects. It’s also possible for your heart rate to slow down too much (bradycardia) and blood pressure to drop too low (hypotension). High doses can also increase your risk for electrolyte imbalances. In severe cases, electrolyte imbalances can lead to arrhythmias, seizures, and coma.
If you or a loved one have taken too much Ziac, contact your prescriber right away or reach out to Poison Control online or by phone at 1-800-222-1222. They can help you determine the next best steps. But you should go to the nearest ER if your symptoms feel severe or life-threatening.
There are ways to save on Ziac, which is available as a brand-name and generic medication. At certain pharmacies, you can save over 20% off the average retail price of generic Ziac with a GoodRx coupon. Prices are as low as $15.40.
Ziac is a combination medication used to treat high blood pressure. It contains two medications: bisoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). You can take Ziac with or without food. But it’s best to take it in the morning so you don’t wake up at night needing to go to the bathroom.
The usual Ziac starting dosage is 2.5 mg bisoprolol / 6.25 mg HCTZ by mouth once daily. From there, the dosage can be increased to a maximum of 20 mg bisoprolol / 12.5 mg HCTZ once daily. Your healthcare team will work with you to find the right dosage for you.
MedlinePlus. (2024). Fluid and electrolyte balance.
Teva Women's Health LLC. (2024). Ziac- bisoprolol fumarate and hydrochlorothiazide tablet, film coated [package insert]. DailyMed.
Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.