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Metoprolol – Succinate & Tartrate – Uses, Dosage, Side Effects

Metoprolol Succinate Tartrate

Metoprolol – Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, has become one of the biggest problems of the 21st century. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States records more than 3,000,000 cases of hypertension each year.

You might already know that hypertension requires a medical professional for the treatment. There are many medications available for high blood pressure or hypertension.

Metoprolol is a good medication to treat hypertension or high blood pressure along with chest pain. Experts call it a beta-blocker that affects the heart and blood flow. By maintaining the blood pressure, Metoprolol can prevent other related problems such as stroke, heart attacks, and kidney failure.

Types of Metoprolol

Metoprolol is not available as an over-the-counter medication. You need a prescription by a doctor to get the drug from any pharmacy in the United States.

The drug is available in two different forms.

Metoprolol Tartrate

Metoprolol Tartrate, also known as Lopressor, is an immediate-release tablet. This means it takes only a few minutes to release after reaching the body, and doctors usually recommend taking medicine multiple times a day.

Metoprolol Succinate

Metoprolol Succinate, also known as Toprol XL, is An extended-release form of the tablet. It takes more than a few hours two completely release after reaching the body, and doctors usually recommend taking medicine once a day.

Warnings for Metoprolol

As you already know, Metoprolol provides so many benefits, such as maintaining blood pressure and relieving hypertension, but it also comes with boxed warnings by the United States Food and Drug Administration.

You are advised not to stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor first. Metoprolol may cause some serious side effects if you stop taking it without proper guidance.

Many people have reported back that after they suddenly stopped taking the drug, it caused them chest pains, heart attack, and irregular heartbeat.

If you already have any liver problems, tell your doctor before taking Metoprolol. It can cause a higher risk of side effects if your liver is not working properly.

You are always advised to tell your doctor about your allergic reactions. If you are allergic to any medication or anything, you should let your doctor know about it.

Metoprolol can decrease the symptoms of your thyroid condition. It is very important for you to let your doctor know about any of your thyroid conditions. Because once you stop taking medicine, a thyroid storm can occur, and it could be a life-threatening condition.

Usually, doctors recommend lowering the dose over the period of two weeks and then completely stopping it. The two-week exit period Gives enough time to the body so that it can adjust.

You are also recommended not to do any hard physical activity and currently do not put any strain on the heart.

You are advised to call 911 or your doctor if you develop pain, tightness, pressure in your chest.

Side effects of Metoprolol

Every medicine in the world contains a few benefits and side effects as well. Let’s talk about a few side effects associated with Metoprolol.

Kindly keep in mind that the side effects of any drug depend on multiple factors, and not every person who takes medicine will get these side effects.

  • Age of the person.
  • Any other health condition.
  • Other medications you are taking.

These are a few factors that can cause side effects of Metoprolol.

In many studies, it was proved that Metoprolol does not cause any extra side effects in older people as compared to younger ones. But, older people may have higher chances of getting these side effects from the medicine.

With your advanced age, kidneys and liver work slower in eliminating the drug from your body. Because of this, Metoprolol stays in the body of older people for a longer period of time, and it increases the risk of side effects.

Low blood pressure

Metoprolol Is known to cause low blood pressure in many individuals after they first start taking medicine. It is also one of the most common side effects of the drug.

In your first week, when you start taking medicine, you must take care of any symptoms related to low blood pressure. As you might already know, low blood pressure can cause some serious health issues.

Dizziness, nausea, blurry vision, and cold skin are some of the most common symptoms of low blood pressure. You are advised to call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms related to low blood pressure.

Allergic reaction

Even though allergic reactions are not very common with Metoprolol, they can happen. Any allergic reaction due to Metoprolol will have similar symptoms to any other allergic reaction. You might get skin rash, itchiness redness on your skin when you first start getting allergic reactions. If you are getting swelling under your skin, eyelids, lips, hands overfeeding, it could be a severe allergic reaction, and you should seek medical assistance as soon as possible.

Heart problems

Other than low blood pressure Metoprolol can cause some serious heart problems. Even the United States Food and Drug administration has mentioned hard problems as a boxed warning for Metoprolol. You should be very careful if you already have any heart-related problems.

Depression

Metoprolol is known to cause depression in some people. If you already have any problem related to your mental health, you should let your doctor know about it before you start taking the drug. Metoprolol can even worsen the mental health issues which you are already having.

Mild side effects of Metoprolol

Other than these major side effects, there are a few mild side effects of Metoprolol drugs, even though these side effects go away within a few days when you first start taking medicine.

But, if you think these mild side effects of Metoprolol are not going away, even after, you should consult with your doctor or pharmacist.

Many people had reported that when they first started taking medicine, they felt dizzy and more tired than usual. Insomnia, also known as trouble sleeping, is also very common after taking medicine.

Cold hands and feet are also very common after you first start taking Metoprolol. It is also possible that you see swelling in your arms and legs at the same time.

Dry mouth, shortness of breath, headaches, and heartburn are mild side effects of Metoprolol.

Other than all these, nausea, gas, diarrhea, or vomiting is also a very common side effect.

Dosage of Metoprolol

Just like other medications, the dosage of Metoprolol totally depends on the conditions of the person taking it. Not everyone will get the same dosage and frequency of the medicine.

Metoprolol Tartrate, also called Lopressor, is available in five different strengths.

  1. 25 milligram
  2. 37.5 milligram
  3. 50 milligram
  4. 75 milligram
  5. 100 milligrams

Metoprolol Succinate, also called Toprol XL, is available in four different strengths.

  1. 25 milligram
  2. 50 milligram
  3. 100 milligram
  4. 200 milligram

Your doctor or pharmacist will assess your symptoms and any other medication you take later. Your doctor will decide which form is suitable for you along with the strength.

Because it is available in many different strengths, Your doctor can easily decrease or increase the dosage.

Takeaways

Metoprolol Is a very good medicine to treat high blood pressure and prevent chest pain. It is available in two different forms known as metoprolol Tartrate and Metoprolol succinate.

Even though it is very good medicine to treat hypertension, it can also cause a few side effects. Low blood pressure and depression are the major side effects.

Metoprolol also has a few mild side effects which go away within a few days when you first start taking medicine. Dry mouth, rash, headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath, swelling in your arms are a few examples.

What is the best time to take Metoprolol?

Experts usually recommend you to take Metoprolol at night because it can cause dizziness and Headache when you first start taking medicine. Once you get to know how you can manage these side effects, or you don’t even get one, you can start taking Metoprolol even in the morning.

Can I take Metoprolol for my anxiety issues?

Even though Metoprolol is not approved to treat anything related to anxiety in some cases, your doctor might recommend you to take it. There is a concept called off-label use, which means that medication can be prescribed by a doctor or pharmacist for a condition that is different from the drug that is approved.

Is it safe to use Metoprolol during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Currently, there are no known side effects of Metoprolol during pregnancy and breastfeeding. But, it is always a wise decision to consult with your doctor first before you start taking the Metoprolol during your pregnancy.

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