General Information
Uses
What should I know before taking this drug
Precautions
Dosage information
Adverse reactions
Storage
Additional information if any
Supermet-xl tab (NPIL(Actis))
Metolar inj (Cipla)
Metoprolol is a prescription drug available from your pharmacy store only with the prescription of a qualified medical practitioner.
Metoprolol pronounced as: MET-oh-PROE-lol
Metoprolol is an anti hypertensive / selective beta blocker.
Metoprolol is used in the treatment of following conditions
- Hypertension
- Angina( chest pain)
- Myocardial infarction
- Emergency treatment of Cardiac arrhythmias
- Prevention of Migraine attacks
- Stable heart failure
- Take Metoprolol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If do not understand these instructions ask your pharmacist, nurse or doctor to explain them to you.
- Do not take the medication in larger amounts or for longer duration than recommended by your doctor. Take Metoprolol with a full glass of water.
- Take Metoprolol at the same time every day to avoid forgetting.
- Do not skip doses or stop taking Metoprolol without consulting your doctor.
- Metoprolol should be tapered gradually over a period of weeks Stopping suddenly may worsen hypertension or cause other serious cardiac problems like worsening of angina, MI or heart attack.
- Always remember to inform your health expert if you are currently taking any OTC or prescription drugs like,
- clonidine
- Ritonivir (anti HIV drug)
- antiarrythmic drugs- quinidine, propafenone,verapamil
- SSRIs like fluoxetine, paroxetine
- Cimetidine ( gastric medicine)
- Verapamil (calcium channel blocker)
- Inform your doctor if you have following medical diseases , as Metoprolol should be used cautiously in these conditions
- Bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis
- Raynauds disease
- History of heart failure or heart attack within 1mnth
- Slow pulse rate with heart block
- Liver or kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Thyroid disorder
Metoprolol should not be used if you have low blood pressure and slow heart beat and heart failure.
Children:
Old people:
Pregnant woman: Metoprolol belongs to FDA pregnancy category C. This means that metoprolol may harm an unborn baby if used during pregnancy but potential benefit may warrant use of the drug in pregnant woman despite potential risks. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning for conception.
Lactating women: It is not known whether metoprolol passes into breast milk or if it could harm the baby. Do not take metoprolol with out first talking to doctor if you are breast feeding a baby.
Other:
Never stop Metoprolol abruptly without consulting your doctor as it causes rebound hypertension and worsening of angina or attack of MI.
Metoprolol is available in the form of injection and tablet.
Use as directed by your physician, your physician prescribes depending on the severity of disease.
Use the complete course of medication as prescribed by your physician even though you feel better after one or two days of usage of medication.
If it is almost the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at same time to cover up the missed dose.
In case of overdose contact your nearest poison control centre or emergency medical centre for immediate care by physician.
The overdose symptoms of Metoprolol are
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Oedema of feet and ankles
- Slow heart rate
Metoprolol may cause following side effects
- Nausea & vomiting
- Sleep disturbances
- Decrease in sexual interest and performance
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
Consult your doctor immediately if notice following symptoms.
- Allergic reaction like swollen lips, hives, difficulty in breathing, rashes. Peeling of skin etc
- Oedema in both the feet, unusual weight gain
- Chest pain, breathing difficulty,
- Slow Irregular heart beat
- Tingling & numbness in extremities
- Cold clammy toes and fingers
Store metoprolol at room temp (15 – 30 degrees C). Avoid excessive heat, moisture or direct sunlight, never store in the bathroom.
Keep it out of reach of children. Make sure that any leftover portion is disposed off safely.
- Strictly avoid alcohol when on metoprolol medication as it increases its side effects
- Inform your surgeon or dentist prior to any planned procedure regarding metoprolol medication as it may increase the side effects of anaesthetic drugs.
- Metoprolol causes dizziness when used for the first time when getting up from sitting and lying down position. Therefore use caution while changing position to avoid fall.
- If you are a diabetic on metoprolol medication keep a close watch on your blood sugar levels as it may cause hypoglycaemia and mask its symptoms.
- Visit your doctor regularly for monitoring your blood pressure and pulse rate when taking metoprolol.
- Hypertension often has no symptoms, so you may not even feel that you have high blood pressure. Continue using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
- Adopt healthy lifestyle changes like regular exercise, healthy diet, quit smoking, alcohol to lower your blood pressure and improve your overall health.
It is imp to read manufacturing packaging instruction carefully if available and always do not hesitate to consult pharmacist or physician for any information.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date: Mar19th,09