Does Biotin Interact With Bystolic or Olmesartan?

Hello, and thanks for following up with us!

Biotin isn't known to interact with either Bystolic (nebivolol) or olmesartan, and taking it alongside these blood pressure medications isn't expected to cause a problem. 

Why Biotin and These Blood Pressure Medications Aren't Expected to Clash

Biotin, also called vitamin B7 or vitamin H, is a water-soluble B vitamin your body uses in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and amino acids, and any excess is excreted in the urine rather than stored.

It doesn't have meaningful effects on the liver enzymes that drive most drug interactions, and it doesn't lower or raise blood pressure, so there's no known mechanism for it to change how your medications work or add to their effects.

Nebivolol, the active ingredient in Bystolic, is a beta blocker that slows the heart rate and lowers blood pressure, and it's broken down in the liver mainly by an enzyme called CYP2D6.

The prescribing information notes that medicines which inhibit this enzyme can raise nebivolol levels, but biotin isn't a CYP2D6 inhibitor and doesn't appear on the list of substances that affect nebivolol. Olmesartan (Benicar) is an angiotensin receptor blocker that relaxes blood vessels, and it undergoes very little liver enzyme metabolism at all, which is part of the reason it has so few documented drug interactions in general.

The Lab Test Issue That Matters for Heart Patients

The one thing I really want you to know is that high doses of biotin, like the 2,500 to 10,000 microgram amounts common in hair, skin, and nails products, can interfere with certain blood tests that use biotin-based technology.

This includes thyroid and hormone tests, and, most importantly for someone on cardiovascular medications, some troponin tests that emergency rooms use to detect heart attacks. A falsely low troponin result is a serious concern, so anyone taking blood pressure or heart medications should make sure every doctor and lab knows they take biotin.

Many labs suggest holding biotin for at least a couple of days before planned blood work, and that's worth confirming with your doctor. You can read more on our dedicated page: Biotin drug interactions and safety information.

Final Words

Taking biotin with Bystolic or olmesartan isn't expected to cause any interaction, so from a combination standpoint you're in good shape. The practical step is simply to tell your doctor and pharmacist that you take biotin, especially before any blood work, so it doesn't skew your results. Feel free to reach back out if anything else comes up!

You may also find these related HelloPharmacist resources helpful:

• Biotin drug interactions and safety information