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What is Metoprolol
 Metoprolol
is in a class of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers
affect the heart and circulatory system.
Metoprolol
is used to reduce hypertension (high blood pressure), to treat
chest pain (angina), to treat heart failure, and to reduce
the risk that a heart attack will recur.
Metoprolol
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Metoprolol
Do not stop taking Metoprolol without first talking
to your doctor. Stopping Metoprolol abruptly may cause your
condition to become worse.
Call your doctor immediately
if you experience shortness of breath.
Use caution
when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Metoprolol may cause dizziness or drowsiness.
If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
What you should find out before taking
Metoprolol
Before taking Metoprolol, tell your doctor if you have:
- asthma;
- a heart problem such as low
blood pressure, a slow heart rate, heart block, sick sinus
syndrome, a pacemaker, heart failure, and others;
-
diabetes;
- depression;
- thyroid disease;
- kidney disease;
- liver disease; or
-
any type of circulatory disease.
You may not be able
to take Metoprolol, or you may require a dosage adjustment
or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of
the conditions listed above.
Metoprolol is in the
FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known
whether Metoprolol will harm an unborn baby. Do not take
this medication without first talking to your doctor if
you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
Metoprolol passes into breast milk in small amounts
and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take Metoprolol without
first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby.
How should take Metoprolol Take Metoprolol exactly as directed by your doctor.
If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass of water.
Take Metoprolol
with food or immediately following a meal.
Do not
crush or chew the extended-release tablets and capsules
(e.g., Toprol XL). The tablets can be divided in half if
prescribed by your doctor and the half tablet should be
swallowed whole, without crushing or chewing. These tablets
are specially formulated to release the medication slowly
in the body.
Do not stop taking Metoprolol without
first talking to your doctor. Stopping Metoprolol abruptly
may cause your condition to become worse.
Store this
medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If
it is almost time for the next dose however, skip the missed
dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do
not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of a Metoprolol overdose include a slow heart beat, shortness
of breath, fainting, dizziness, weakness, confusion, nausea,
and vomiting.
Avoid while taking Metoprolol Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or
performing other hazardous activities. Metoprolol may cause
drowsiness, dizziness, and blood pressure changes. If you
experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness
and dizziness while you are taking this medication.
Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medication
before having surgery.
Possible side effects of Metoprolol If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking Metoprolol and call your doctor immediately
or seek emergency medical treatment:
- an allergic
reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling
of the lips, tongue, or face; hives);
- wheezing
or shortness of breath;
- an unusually slow or irregular
heartbeat;
- swelling of the feet and lower legs;
- leg pain or cramping;
- sudden weight gain
(more than 2 pounds in one day or 5 pounds in one week);
- chest (heart) pain;
- unusually cold or
blue feet and hands; or
- skin rash.
If you
experience any of the following less serious side effects,
continue taking Metoprolol and talk to your doctor:
-
fatigue or confusion;
- headache or dizziness;
-
weak pulse or mildly slow heart rate;
- diarrhea,
constipation, gas, nausea, or vomiting;
- depression;
or
- nightmares.
Side effects other than those
listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any
side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Metoprolol Before taking Metoprolol, tell your doctor if you
are taking
- a heart medication such as nifedipine
(Procardia, Adalat), reserpine (Serpasil), verapamil (Calan,
Verelan, Isoptin), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor XR), clonidine
(Catapres), digoxin (Lanoxin), doxazosin (Cardura), guanadrel
(Hylorel), prazosin (Minipress), or terazosin (Hytrin);
- a diabetes medication such as insulin, glyburide
(Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase), glipizide (Glucotrol), chlorpropamide
(Diabinese), or metformin (Glucophage);
- a nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin,
Advil, others), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn, others),
ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), and others;
-
a respiratory medication such as albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil,
Volmax, others), bitolterol (Tornalate), metaproterenol
(Alupent, Metaprel), pirbuterol (Maxair), terbutaline (Brethaire,
Brethine, Bricanyl), or theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theochron,
Theolair, others), and others;
- the stomach medication
cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB); or
- prescription
or over-the-counter cough medicines, cold medicines, or
diet pills.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with Metoprolol
or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist
before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines,
including herbal products. |
