Metoprolol: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

What Drug Metoprolol?

What is Metoprolol for?

This drug is a beta-blocker drug that is commonly used to treat high blood pressure or what is also known as hypertension. Apart from helping lower blood pressure, this drug can also be used to treat heart failure, relieve chest pain (angina), and prevent strokes.

This drug works by inhibiting the release of certain natural chemicals in the body such as epinephrine in the heart and blood vessels. By taking this medicine, blood circulation will run more smoothly so that the heart rate and blood pressure which were previously high will slowly decrease.

This lowers heart rate, blood pressure, and stresses the heart.

This drug must be used with caution. Otherwise, it will decrease its effectiveness and can lead to dangerous side effects. Therefore, make sure you use this drug as recommended by your doctor.

How to use Metoprolol?

Follow all the instructions for using the medicine listed on the prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets carefully. Don't hesitate to ask a doctor if you don't really understand how to use it.

This medicine can be used before or after a meal. Ask your doctor or pharmacist when is the best time to take it according to your condition.

Each person may get a different dose. This is because drug administration is adjusted to age, health condition, and patient response to treatment. Make sure you use it according to the recommended dosage. Do not add or reduce doses incorrectly as this can have the potential to cause side effects.

Do not crush, chew, or crush the medication, as these can decrease the effectiveness of the drug and can lead to side effects. Instead, swallow the drug as a whole. To make it easier for you to swallow, take the medicine with a glass of water.

To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start using this medication at a low dose and gradually increase the dose. Follow the doctor's instructions carefully.

Use this remedy regularly for optimal benefits. To help you remember, use it at the same time every day. Do not suddenly stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Your condition may get worse when use of this drug is suddenly stopped.

Most cases of high blood pressure do not cause typical symptoms and it may take several weeks for you to feel the benefits of this drug in lowering or controlling blood pressure. Therefore, continue to take medication as recommended by your doctor even if your condition feels fine.

To prevent chest pain, recurrence of heart attacks, or migraine headaches, it is very important to take this medication regularly as prescribed. This medicine should not be used to treat chest pain or migraines when these conditions have already occurred.

Tell your doctor right away if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse. For example, if during a blood pressure reading, your blood pressure remains high or gets higher, or if the symptoms of heart failure are getting worse (shortness of breath).

Other parts that contain the use of this drug may not be listed on the packaging label.

Always consult a doctor or pharmacist while using bisoprolol drugs.

How to store Metoprolol?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it.

Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Metoprolol dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of Metoprolol for adults?

The dosage for each person can be different. This is because the dosage is adjusted to the health condition and the patient's response to treatment. Please consult a doctor for more information.

• The starting dose for treating hypertension is 50 milligrams (mg) per day. If needed, the dose can be increased to 100 mg in 1-2 divided doses.
• To treat angina, drug doses range from 50 to 100 mg orally 2-3 times a day.
• Meanwhile, to treat arrhythmias, the dose is usually 50 mg taken 2-3 times a day. The dose can be increased to 300 mg daily in divided doses.

Take the exact dosage your doctor prescribes. Tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately if your condition does not improve or gets worse. Your doctor may give you other drugs that are more suitable and safer for your condition.

What is the dosage of Metoprolol for children?

Dosage for children is based on their age and body weight. Doctors also consider the child's health condition and response to medications.

Therefore, the dosage of medicine for each child can be different. To find out the exact dosage, please consult directly to a doctor.

In what dosage is Metoprolol available?

This drug is available in tablet form with a strength of 50 mg and 100 mg.

Metoprolol side effects

What are the side effects of taking Metoprolol?

Just like other drugs, this drug also has the potential to cause side effects from mild to severe. A number of side effects that are often complained of after taking this drug include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain or heartburn
• Dizzy
• Mild headaches
• Sleepy
• The body feels weak and weak
• Restless
• Experiencing sleep disorders (insomnia)

In rare cases, this drug can also cause a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock. When this happens, usually the sufferer will experience:

• Skin rash
• Itchy rash
• Difficulty breathing
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Consciousness was almost lost

Go to a doctor immediately if you experience or see other people showing the signs above. You should also check with your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects:

• Pale skin, shortness of breath, fast heart rate, head tilted, and difficulty concentrating
• Very slow heart rate, weak pulse, and muscle weakness
• Difficulty breathing even though you are not active.
• Swelling of certain body parts, weight gain, shortness of breath, urinating less than usual or not at all

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Metoprolol Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Metoprolol?

Before using this drug, here are some things you need to know and do:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to metoprolol, acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, bisoprolol, carvedilol, esmolol, labetalol, nadolol, pindolol, propranolol, sotalol, timolol, or any other hypertension medication. Ask your doctor and pharmacist for a list of ingredients that make up the drug.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have recently been taking certain medications. Whether it's prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, to herbal products.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have or have had asthma, COPD, or other respiratory problems.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have had or are experiencing heart disease, impaired liver and kidney function, disease, or an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism).
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you will be having surgery in the near future, including dental surgery.

Metoprolol is a drug that has side effects of drowsiness. Therefore, it is best not to drive a car or operate machinery until the effects of the drug are completely gone.

In addition, this drug also causes lightheadedness when you wake up too quickly from lying or sitting. To help avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly. Place your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.

Use the medicine according to the instructions given by the doctor. Do not hesitate to seek medical advice immediately if you experience unusual symptoms or make your body weak.

Is Metoprolol safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or nursing women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, or the equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

This medicine passes into breast milk and can harm the baby. That is why you should not breastfeed while being treated with this medicine.

In principle, always consult your doctor or midwife before using any medicine, if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy. This is done to prevent various dangerous side effects that can be fatal.

Metoprolol Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Metoprolol?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this article.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

A number of drugs that have the potential to cause negative interactions with metoprolol are:

• Prazosin
• Terbinafine
• Antidepressants such as bupropion, clomipramine, desipramine, duloxetine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, and sertraline
• Medicines to treat ergot diseases such as dihydroergotamine, ergonovin, ergotamine, and methylergonovin
• Heart or blood pressure medications such as amlodipine, clonidine, digoxin, diltiazem, dipyridamole, hydralazine, methyldopa, nifedipine, quinidine, reserpine, verapamil, and others
• MAO inhibitor class drugs such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine
• Medicines to treat mental illness such as chlorpromazine, haloperidol fluphenazine, thioridazine

Can food or alcohol interact with Metoprolol?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur.

Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with Metoprolol?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug.

Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, such as:

• Angina (chest pain)
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Ischemic heart disease
• Lung disease (eg, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema)
• Pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland).
• Chronic blood circulation disorders
• Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
• Cardiogenic shock (shock caused by a heart attack)
• Heart blockage
• Chronic heart failure
• Blood vessel blockage)
• Diabetes
• Hyperthyroidism (a condition when the thyroid is overactive)
• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
• Impaired liver and kidney function

Metoprolol overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

When someone has an overdose, various symptoms that may arise are:

• Too low blood pressure (hypotension) which makes the head dizzy
• Fainting
• Fast and irregular heartbeat
• Slower than normal heart rate

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Do not double your dose in one drink.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.