Metoprolol: MedlinePlus Drugs (2023)

Warning:

What conditions or diseases is this drug prescribed for?

Metoprolol is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. It is also used to prevent angina (chest pain) and to treat heart attacks. Metoprolol is also used in combination with other medications to treat heart failure. Metoprolol belongs to a class of drugs called beta-blockers. It works by relaxing blood vessels and slowing heart rate to improve blood flow and lower blood pressure.

High blood pressure is a common condition, and if left untreated, it can damage the brain, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and other parts of the body. Damage to these organs can cause heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, vision loss, and other problems. In addition to taking medication, lifestyle changes will also help you control your blood pressure. These changes include eating a low-fat and low-salt diet, maintaining a healthy weight, getting at least 30 minutes of exercise most days, not smoking, and moderate alcohol consumption.

How should this medicine be used?

Metoprolol is available as a tablet and as an extended-release (long-acting) tablet for oral use. Generally, the regular tablets are taken once or twice a day with or immediately after a meal. Extended-release tablets are usually taken once a day. To help you remember to take metoprolol, take it at about the same time each day. Follow the instructions on the prescription carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain anything you do not understand. Take metoprolol exactly as directed. Do not increase or decrease the dose or take it more often than directed by your doctor.

Long-acting tablets may splinter. Swallow the tablets whole or in halves, but do not chew or crush them.

Your doctor may start you on a low dose of metoprolol and then gradually increase it.

Metoprolol controls but does not cure high blood pressure and angina (chest pain). Extended-release metoprolol controls heart failure but does not cure it. It may take several weeks before you feel the full benefits of metoprolol. Keep taking metoprolol even if you feel well.

What other uses does this drug have?

Metoprolol is also sometimes used to prevent migraine headaches and to treat abnormal heart rhythms and movement disorders caused by drugs for mental illness. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication in your case.

This drug is sometimes prescribed for other purposes; Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I take?

Before you take metoprolol

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to metoprolol, acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin, in Tenoretic), betaxolol, bisoprolol (Zebeta, in Ziac), carvedilol (Coreg, Coreg CR), esmolol (Brevibloc), labetalol are. Nadolol (Corgard, in Corzide), pindolol, propranolol (Inderal, Inderal LA, Innopran XL, in Inderide), sotalol (Betapace, Betapace AF, Sorine), timolol, other medications, or any of the ingredients in metoprolol tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of ingredients.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: bupropion (Aplenzin, Forfivo, Wellbutrin, Zyban), cimetidine, clonidine (Catapres), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Selfemra, in Symbyax), hydroxychloroquine, paroxetine (Brisdelle , Paxil, Pexeva), propafenone (Rythmol), quinidine, ranitidine (Zantac), reserpine, ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra), terbinafine (Lamisil), and thioridazine. Your doctor may need to change your medication dosage or monitor you closely for side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you have a slow heartbeat, heart failure, circulatory problems, or pheochromocytoma (a tumor that develops in a gland near the kidneys and can cause high blood pressure and a fast heartbeat). Your doctor may tell you not to take metoprolol.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma or other lung diseases. heart or liver disease; Diabetes; severe allergies; or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking metoprolol, contact your doctor.
• If you are going to have any surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking metoprolol.
• You should know that metoprolol can make you sleepy. Do not drive or use machines until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Keep in mind that alcohol can increase the drowsiness caused by this medicine.
• Keep in mind that if you have allergic reactions to various substances, the reactions may be worse while taking metoprolol and may not respond to usual doses of injectable epinephrine.

What special diet should I follow while taking this medicine?

What should I do if I forget to take it?

What side effects can this medicine have?

Metoprolol can cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or don't go away:

• dizziness or lightheadedness
• fatigue
• Depression
• nausea
• dry mouth
• stomach pain
• Vomit
• bloating or inflammation
• stomach acid
• constipation
• skin rash or itching
• cold hands and feet
• runny nose

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are rare, but if you have any of them, call your doctor right away:

• shortness of breath
• gasp
• Swelling of the hands, feet, ankles or lower legs
• weight gain
• Fading
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat

Metoprolol can cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have unexpected problems while taking this medicine.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor can file a report with the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch adverse event reporting program at (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by calling 1-800-332-1088.

How should I store or throw away this medicine?

Keep this product in its original packaging, tightly closed and out of the reach of children. Store at room temperature and away from excessive heat and humidity (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children as many containers (e.g. weekly pill boxes and those containing eye drops, creams, patches and inhalers) are not leakproof as young children can easily open them. To protect them from poisoning, always use safety lids and immediately store the medication in a safe place that is high up and out of sight and reach.http://www.upandaway.org/es/

Medicines that are no longer needed should be disposed of in an appropriate manner to ensure that pets, children and other people cannot ingest them. However, you should not flush these medicines down the toilet. Instead, the best way to get rid of your drugs is through a drug take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local waste/recycling department to learn more about drug take-back programs in your community. See the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website, (https://goo.gl/xRXbPn) for more information on safely disposing of medication if you do not have access to the Drug Take-Back Program.

What should I do in case of overdose?

In the event of an overdose, call the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online athttps://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, is having trouble breathing, or cannot wake up, call 911 immediately.

Symptoms of an overdose include:

• dizziness
• Fading
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Swelling of the hands, feet, ankles or lower legs

What other important information should I know?

Don't miss an appointment with your doctor. Your blood pressure should be checked regularly to see how you are responding to metoprolol. Your doctor may ask you to measure your pulse (heart rate). Ask your doctor or pharmacist to show you how to measure your heart rate. If your pulse is faster or slower than it should, call your doctor.

Don't let anyone use your medication. Ask your pharmacist how to refill your prescription.

It is important that you keep a written list of all medicines you take, including those obtained by prescription and those purchased without a prescription, including vitamins and dietary supplements. You should have the list with you whenever you visit a doctor or stay in hospital. It is also important information in emergencies.

trademark

• Lopressor^®
• Toprol^®
• Toprol XL^®

Combined Product Brands

• Dutoprol^®(contains metoprolol succinate and hydrochlorothiazide)
• Lopressidon^®(contains clotalidone and metoprolol tartrate)
• Lopressor^®HCT (contains metoprolol tartrate and hydrochlorothiazide)