Metoprolol For High Blood Pressure

How Should I Take Fluoxetine

You can take fluoxetine with or without food.

You should take fluoxetine exactly as prescribed, and continue to take fluoxetine as prescribed even after your symptoms improve. You should not change your dosing regimen or stop taking fluoxetine without discussing with your provider first. A gradual reduction in dosage rather than abruptly stopping is recommended whenever possible.

If your symptoms are not improving or you have any questions about changing or stopping medication, reach out to your Ro-affiliated provider for guidance.

What Should I Know About Metoprolol Vs Propranolol And Carvedilol

Metoprolol, propranolol, and carvedilol all belong to the same group of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers all work in a similar way to decrease blood pressure and relax your blood vessels so that your blood can flow more freely.

Each medication comes in two forms: an extended-release form and an immediate-release form. Immediate-release forms work as soon as you take them. Extended-release forms work consistently over a period of time after you take them.

Depending on the form of each drug prescribed, some shared uses of metoprolol, propranolol, and carvedilol include:

• preventing angina
• treating or preventing heart attack

These medications have some unique uses, too.

Metoprolol, propranolol, and carvedilol are similar because theyre all beta-blockers. But they do have some differences, including:

• their prescribed doses
• how often theyre taken
• their possible side effects

If you have questions about which medication is right for you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Dosage For High Blood Pressure

Generic: Metoprolol

• Form: immediate-release oral tablet
• Strength: 25 mg, 37.5 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, and 100 mg
• Form: extended-release oral tablet
• Strength: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg

Brand: Lopressor

• Form: immediate-release oral tablet
• Strength: 50 mg and 100 mg

Brand: Toprol XL

• Form: extended-release oral tablet
• Strength: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg

Adult dosage

Immediate-release tablets

• Typical starting dosage: 100 mg daily in a single or divided doses. This may be gradually increased if needed.
• Typical maintenance dosage: 100450 mg per day.
• Maximum dosage: 450 mg per day.

Extended-release tablets

• Typical starting dosage: 25100 mg daily in a single dose. This may be gradually increased if needed.
• Maximum dosage: 400 mg per day.

Child dosage

Extended-release tablets

• Typical starting dosage: 1 mg/kg once daily . This dosage may be gradually increased if needed.
• Maximum dosage: 2 mg/kg once daily.

Immediate-release tablets

These tablets are not approved for use in this age group.

Child dosage

Dosage for people younger than 6 years hasnt been established.

Senior dosage

Your body may process this drug more slowly. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage so that too much of this drug does not build up in your body. Too much of the drug in your body can be dangerous.

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What Do I Need To Tell My Doctor Before I Take This Drug

• If you are allergic to this drug any part of this drug or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have a sulfa allergy.
• If you have any of these health problems: Certain types of abnormal heartbeats called heart block or sick-sinus syndrome, heart failure , low blood pressure, poor blood flow to the arms or legs, shock caused by heart problems, or a slow heartbeat.
• If you have any of these health problems: Asthma or other breathing problems like COPD .
• If you are not able to pass urine.
• If you are taking dofetilide.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

Getting The Most From Your Treatment

• Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can check on your progress.
• Treatment with metoprolol can often be long-term. Continue to take the tablets unless your doctor tells you to stop. Stopping treatment suddenly can cause problems in some people, so your doctor may want you to reduce your dose gradually if this becomes necessary.
• If you are due to have an operation or dental treatment, it is important to tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking a beta-blocker. This is because some anaesthetics may increase the risk of unwanted effects.
• If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor for advice about taking metoprolol and alcohol. Alcohol will add to the blood pressure-lowering effect of metoprolol and so may not be recommended for you.
• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable for you to take. Some medicines may not be.
• Your doctor may give you dietary and lifestyle advice about eating a healthy diet, not smoking, and taking regular exercise. If so, it is important that you follow the advice you are given.
• If you have diabetes, metoprolol can block the symptoms of low blood sugar. Your doctor will advise you about this.

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Does Metoprolol Interact With Grapefruit

No, metoprolol doesnt interact with grapefruit.

But other drugs used for heart-related conditions may interact with grapefruit. For instance, the following drugs may have an interaction with grapefruit:

• the high cholesterol drug atorvastatin

If youre taking metoprolol, you may also be taking other medications that could interact with grapefruit.

If youre concerned about any of your medications interacting with grapefruit, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Theyll help you determine if your medications interact with grapefruit.

Metoprolol For High Blood Pressure Raised Blood Sugar Levels

Metoprolol is a beta blocker heart medicine. It is perennially on the doctors top 10 hit parade of most prescribed medicines. Over the last decade, roughly 70 million prescriptions were dispensed each year. This medication is prescribed for chest pain heart failure, and after a patient has had a heart attack. We suspect, though, that the majority of dispensed prescriptions are for metoprolol for high blood pressure. How good is it and what are the risks? This reader is concerned about blood sugar:

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Can Metoprolol For High Blood Pressure Raise Blood Glucose

Q. I have been taking metoprolol for my high blood pressure for the past five years. Since then, my blood sugar has ranged between 108 and 111. I never had blood sugar levels that high before taking metoprolol.

My doctor is concerned. I believe that this beta blocker is raising my blood sugar. Are there any studies concerning such drugs and high blood sugar levels?

A. Beta blockers can raise blood sugar . This is not a side effect that is generally recognized by health professionals as a problem. The official prescribing information mentions unstable diabetes almost as an afterthought and includes the disclaimer that a drug relationship is not clear.

Other researchers acknowledge that older blockers like metoprolol: are generally considered to worsen metabolic control in patients with diabetes .

The exception seems to be carvedilol . It may improve blood sugar management.

How Long Do Metoprololside Effects Last

Most people will experience minor and reversible side effects when taking metoprolol. Some of these problems will get better as the body adjusts to the drug, and most will go away after the drug has been discontinued. However, some side effects, such as a worsening of angina, occur only when metoprolol is stopped suddenly. Other side effects, such as weight gain, may require treatment and take longer to resolve. Some of the most serious but rare side effects such as heart failure, cardiogenic shock, and heart attack, may have lifelong consequences.

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Starting Treatment With Your Healthcare Provider

Because the metoprolol comes in different forms and is approved for various uses, its imperative to work with your healthcare provider to find the right dose for you. There are countless articles about metoprolol on the internet but always turn to your healthcare provider for medical advice, especially when it comes to prescription drugs.

Never Stop Metoprolol Suddenly

No one should EVER stop beta blocker treatment suddenly. That could lead to angina, heart attacks and other serious complications. Patients who are treated with beta blockers as first-line therapy for hypertension should discuss this article with their prescribers. There may be a compelling reason for metoprolol. It may also be helpful to ask the question: What are metoprolol side effects? To help further the discussion with a prescriber, we list the following from the Food and Drug Administration:

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What Are Metoprolol Side Effects

Q. My doctor just prescribed metoprolol to control migraines and slightly elevated blood pressure at the same time. At 49, I have been trying to control my BP for more than a year through diet and exercise. It remains just slightly too high for everyones comfort, and seems to spike when I take sumatriptan for migraine.

I am concerned about metoprolol. Is it safe and will it really help me with both migraine and BP? I really do not want to take a drug on a daily basis.

A. Lets start with one potential problem right off the bat: the migraine medicine sumatriptan can increase blood pressure, sometimes to a dangerous level. Heres what the FDA includes in its WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS section for sumatriptan:

Is Metoprolol A Beta

Metoprolol belongs to the group of drugs called beta-blockers. Like metoprolol, other drugs called angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and diuretics can be used to treat certain heart conditions.

In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you take metoprolol along with an ACE inhibitor or diuretic.

An easy way to tell which medications are beta-blockers is to look at the last few letters of the generic drugs name. Beta-blocker names all end in lol. Heres a list of some examples of beta-blockers:

If you have questions about the best medication to treat your condition, talk with your doctor.

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How To Avoid Metoprololside Effects

Metoprolol is a life-saving drug. Fortunately, most people taking the drug for hypertension or chest pain will experience only minor problems. Theres a greater risk of severe problems when metoprolol is used to treat heart attack, but these effects do not compare with the immediate risks that follow from a heart attack. For all people, however, there are a few common-sense strategies to minimize metoprololside effects.

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 .

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. The injections are given for only a short time before switching you to the oral form of this medicine.

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Metoprolol May Cause Side Effects Tell Your Doctor If Any Of These Symptoms Are Severe Or Do Not Go Away:

• dizziness or lightheadedness

• rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat

Metoprolol may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone .

Questions About Taking Metoprolol Oral Tablet

Below are some questions related to taking metoprolol oral tablets.

• What if I miss a dose of metoprolol oral tablets? If you miss a dose of metoprolol oral tablets, skip the missed dose. Then take your next dose when its due. Never take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose.
• Will I need to use metoprolol oral tablets long term? Yes. If metoprolol is an effective treatment option for you, your doctor will likely recommend that you take it long term.
• Can metoprolol oral tablets be chewed, crushed, or split? You should not chew or crush either form of metoprolol oral tablets. This is because chewing or crushing them may change the way they work in your body. If you have trouble swallowing your metoprolol tablets, the tablets can be split on their score line. You should swallow whole tablets or half tablets, without chewing or crushing them.
• Should I take metoprolol oral tablets with food? Yes, you should take doses of metoprolol with food or right after youve had a meal.
• How long do metoprolol oral tablets take to work? Metoprolol oral tablets will begin working as soon as you take them. But in some cases, it may be a few weeks before you see the full benefits from taking metoprolol oral tablets. If you dont notice a difference in your condition after starting metoprolol, discuss this with your doctor. But never stop taking metoprolol oral tablets without first talking with your doctor.

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about metoprolol oral tablets.

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Can I Take Metoprolol If Im Pregnant Or Breastfeeding

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 . 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.

Metoprolol Oral Tablet Brand

Metoprolol succinate oral tablet is available as the brand name drug Toprol XL. And metoprolol tartrate oral tablet is available as the brand-name drug Lopressor.

Note: Different forms of metoprolol succinate or metoprolol tartrate are available in other brand-name versions. To learn about these other versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Metoprolol oral tablet is a generic drug, which means its an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The brand-name medication that metoprolol succinate oral tablet is based on is called Toprol XL. The brand-name medication that metoprolol tartrate oral tablet is based on is called Lopressor.

Generic drugs are thought to be as safe and effective as the brand name drug theyre based on. In general, generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

If youd like to know more about using Lopressor or Toprol XL instead of metoprolol tartrate or metoprolol succinate oral tablets, talk with your doctor. And see this Healthline article to learn more about the differences between generic and brand-name drugs.

Like most drugs, metoprolol oral tablets may cause mild or serious side effects. The lists below describe some of the more common side effects that this drug may cause. These lists dont include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

• other health conditions you have
• other medications you may be taking

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Important Information About All Medicines

Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else might have taken an overdose of this medicine, go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Take the container with you, even if it is empty. This medicine is for you. Never give it to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours. Do not keep out-of-date or unwanted medicines. Take them to your local pharmacy which will dispose of them for you. If you have any questions about this medicine ask your pharmacist.

How Soon Do Metoprololside Effects Start

Some side effects, such as allergic reactions, may happen within hours of taking the first metoprolol tablet. Metoprolols beta-blocking effects typically occur about an hour after taking a dose and hit their peak about 30 minutes later, so side effects related to beta blockade may also be experienced early. Other side effects, such as weight gain, typically take several months to become apparent.

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What Should I Tell My Ro

• Fluoxetine has many drug interactions. Its important to tell your Ro-affiliated provider all of the medications you are currently taking, including prescription, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal and dietary supplements. Some medications to watch out for include:
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors , including the antibiotic linezolid and intravenous methylene blue
• NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen
• Blood thinners, such as warfarin
• Migraine medications called triptans, such as sumatriptan
• Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam and alprazolam
• Other or SSRIs or SNRIs, such as sertraline
• St. Johns Wort

• Its important to share your entire medical history with your provider. In particular, tell your provider if you have a past history of:
• Suicidal thoughts or attempted suicide
• Family history of Bipolar Disorder or family history of suicide
• Irregular heartbeat or heart issues
• Bipolar Disorder