Metroprolol
Metroprolol – is it right for you?
While checking out of the hospital, after having a stent inserted, one of the medications that I was prescribed was Metroprolol. I really did not know th reason that it was prescribed as my heart rate was very low at or near 70 beats or less per minute and as low as 49 beats per minute. Nevertheless, I followed the instructions. My hands and feet were cold. I had nauseating feelings and felt at or near fainting a few times. I had stomach aches and pains. Of course, I had no libido. I wondered just how important this drug was to my regaining heart fitness, so I did my research.
The instructions warned that I should not quit taking this medicine abruptly as it could cause even more severe heart reactions. I accidentally missed taking it one day, and I mentioned to my wife that I felt much better today. I went home and saw my pill organizer and noticed that I had not taken my pills for the day. I quickly took the baby asperin and the prasugrel, but I opted from that point on not to take the Metroprolol. All of the stomach achs, cold feet, cold hands and nausea, went away and did not return. These are just the things that I noticed, but when I looked up the side effects, I realized that I had had many more of the side effects than I thought. I have listed the following side effects and put notations after the ones that I experienced. The comforting thought here is that I did not experience all of these side effects. I Have listed all the official data on Metroprolol. Please take a look if you have been prescribed this drug.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Metoprolol Common Side Effects
Blurred vision – Yes I had had this side effect, but I did not relate it to taking Metroproplol.
chest pain or discomfort – I had had this as well, but thought that it was because of my recent medical treatment.
Confusion – YES
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position -YES
slow or irregular heartbeat – Possibly
sweating
unusual tiredness or weakness – YES
Less common
Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
Cough – YES
decreased urine output
difficult or labored breathing
difficulty with speaking
dilated neck veins
disturbed color perception
double vision
fast, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
halos around lights – YES
Headache – YES
inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles
inability to speak
irregular breathing
loss of vision
night blindness
noisy breathing
overly bright appearance of lights
pain, tension, and weakness upon walking that subsides during periods of rest
paleness or cold feeling in the fingertips and toes
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
short-term memory loss
slow speech
swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
tightness in the chest – YES
tingling of the hands or feet – YES
tingling or pain in the fingers or toes when exposed to cold temperatures – YES
troubled breathing
tunnel vision
unusual weight gain or loss
Rare
Bluish color of the skin of the fingers or toes
chills
clay-colored stools
continuing loss of appetite
continuing or severe abdominal or stomach pain -YES
dark urine
difficulty with moving
Fever – Possibly
general tiredness and weakness
hoarseness
increased frequency of urination
itching skin
light-colored stools
lower back or side pain
muscle pain or stiffness – YES
numbness of the fingers or toes
pain, swelling, or redness in the joints
rash
sore throat – YES
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
unpleasant breath odor
unusual bleeding or bruising
upper right abdominal or stomach pain
vomiting of blood
weakness
yellow eyes and skin
Black, tarry stools
bleeding gums
blood in the urine or stools
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, “pins and needles”, or tingling feelings
cool, sweaty skin
pinpoint red spots on the skin
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
Bluish color of the fingernails, lips, skin, palms, or nail beds
change in consciousness
loss of consciousness
no blood pressure or pulse
stopping of the heart
very drowsy or sleepy
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common
Belching
bloated feeling
decreased interest in sexual intercourse – YES
difficulty having a bowel movement
discouragement
excess air or gas in stomach or bowels – YES
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
feeling of fullness
feeling of indigestion
feeling sad or empty
inability to have or keep an erection – YES
irritability
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
loss of interest or pleasure
Nightmares – YES
pain in the chest below the breastbone
passing gas
redness or other discoloration of the skin
runny nose – YES
sensation of spinning
tiredness
trouble concentrating
trouble sleeping
Bone pain
continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
hair loss or thinning of the hair
hearing loss
increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
pain in the penis on erection
severe sunburn
Incidence not known
Change in taste or bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
fear or nervousness
hives or welts
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is Metoprolol?
Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that affects the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins). It is used as a treatment for Angina and Hypertension(High blood pressure). It is especially used to lower the risk of a heart attack.
Important Information
You should not use metoprolol if you have a serious heart problem (heart block, sick sinus syndrome, slow heart rate), severe circulation problems, severe heart failure, or a history of slow heartbeats that caused fainting.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to metoprolol, or other beta-blockers such as Atenolol, Carvedilol, Labeteal, Nadolol, Nebivolol, Propranolol, Sotalol), or if you have:
- a serious heart problem such as heart block, sick sinus syndrome, or slow heart rate;
- severe circulation problems;
- severe heart failure (that required you to be in the hospital); or
- a history of slow heartbeats that have caused you to faint.
To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, or other breathing disorder;
- diabetes (taking metoprolol may make it harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar);
- problems with circulation (such as Raynaud’s syndrome);
- a thyroid disorder; or
- pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland).
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether metoprolol will harm an unborn baby. However, having high blood pressure during pregnancy may cause complications such as diabetes or eclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure that can lead to medical problems in both mother and baby). The benefit of treating hypertension may outweigh any risks to the baby.
Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are breast-feeding. Metoprolol can pass into breast milk and may cause dry skin, dry mouth, diarrhea, constipation, or slow heartbeats in your baby.
How should I take metoprolol?
Take metoprolol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.
Metoprolol should be taken with a meal or just after a meal.
Take the medicine at the same time each day.
Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.
A Toprol XL tablet can be divided in half if your doctor has told you to do so. Swallow the half-tablet whole, without chewing or crushing.
Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).
You will need frequent medical tests, and your blood pressure will need to be checked often.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medicine.
You should not stop using this medicine suddenly. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.
If you have high blood pressure, keep using metoprolol even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use this medicine for the rest of your life.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Metoprolol injection is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection in a medical setting where your heart and blood pressure can be monitored. Metoprolol injections are given for only a short time before switching you to the oral form of this medicine.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Skip the missed dose and use your next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking metoprolol?
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.
Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of metoprolol.
Metoprolol side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to metoprolol: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- very slow heartbeats;
- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain; or
- cold feeling in your hands and feet.
Common metoprolol side effects may include:
- dizziness, tired feeling;
- depression, confusion, memory problems;
- nightmares, trouble sleeping;
- diarrhea; or
- mild itching or rash.
Metoprolol side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to metoprolol: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
· very slow heartbeats;
· a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
· shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain; or
· cold feeling in your hands and feet.
Common metoprolol side effects may include:
· dizziness, tired feeling;
· depression, confusion, memory problems;
· nightmares, trouble sleeping;
· diarrhea; or
· mild itching or rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also:
Metoprolol side effects (in more detail)
What other drugs will affect metoprolol?
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can interact with metoprolol, especially:
- any other heart or blood pressure medications;
- epinephrine (Epi-Pen);
- an antidepressant;
- an ergot medicine–dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine; or
- an MAO inhibitor—isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine.
This list is not complete and many other drugs may interact with metoprolol. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
See also:
Metoprolol drug interactions (in more detail)
Most frequently checked interactions
Side Effects have been reported by people taking Metroprolol and the following:
· Adderall (amphetamine / dextroamphetamine)
· Advair Diskus (fluticasone / salmeterol)
· aspirin
· Aspirin Low Strength (aspirin)
· atenolol
· Fish Oil (omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids)
· losartan
· sotalol
· Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)
· Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)
Further information
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others and use metoprolol only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Copyright 1996-2020 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 17.03.
Related questions
More about metoprolol
- Side Effects
- During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding
- Dosage Information
- Patient Tips
- Drug Images
- Drug Interactions
- Compare Alternatives
- Support Group
- En Español
- 421 Reviews
- Drug class: cardioselective beta blockers
- FDA Alerts (1)
Consumer resources
- Metoprolol Extended-Release Capsules
- Metoprolol Extended-Release Tablets
- Metoprolol Tablets
- Metoprolol Injection
- Metoprolol (Advanced Reading)
Metoprolol Intravenous (Advanced Reading)