Metoprolol

Metoprolol is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. It also is used to prevent angina (chest pain) and to improve survival after a heart attack. Extended-release (long-acting) metoprolol also is used in combination with other medications to treat heart failure. Metoprolol is in a class of medications called beta blockers. It works by relaxing blood vessels and slowing heart rate to improve blood flow and decrease blood pressure

Metoprolol comes as a tablet and an extended-release tablet to take by mouth. The regular tablet is usually taken once or twice a day with meals or immediately after meals. The extended-release tablet is usually taken once a day. To help you remember to take metoprolol, take it around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take metoprolol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. The long-acting tablet may be split. Swallow the whole or half tablets whole; do not chew or crush them. Your doctor may start you on a low dose of metoprolol and gradually increase your dose. Metoprolol controls high blood pressure and angina but does not cure them. Extended-release metoprolol controls heart failure but does not cure it. It may take a few weeks before you feel the full benefit of metoprolol. Continue to take metoprolol even if you feel well.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Metoprolol may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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dizziness or lightheadedness</li>
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tiredness</li>
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depression</li>
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nausea</li>
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dry mouth</li>
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stomach pain</li>
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vomiting</li>
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gas or bloating</li>
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heartburn</li>
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constipation</li>
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rash or itching</li>
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cold hands and feet</li>
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runny nose</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:

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shortness of breath</li>
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wheezing</li>
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swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs</li>
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unusual weight gain</li>
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fainting</li>
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rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat</li></ul>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 (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking metoprolol, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to metoprolol, acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin, in Tenoretic), betaxolol (Kerlone), bisoprolol (Zebeta, in Ziac), carvedilol (Coreg), esmolol (Brevibloc), labetalol (Trandate), nadolol (Corgard, in Corzide), pindolol, propranolol (Inderal, Inderal LA, Innopran XL, in Inderide), sotalol (Betapace, Betapace AF, Sorine), timolol (Blocadren, in Timolide), any other medications, or any of the ingredients in metoprolol tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: bupropion (Wellbutrin), cimetidine (Tagamet), clonidine (Catapres), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), hydroxychloroquine, paroxetine (Paxil), propafenone (Rythmol), quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex), ranitidine (Zantac), reserpine (Serpalan, Serpasil, Serpatab), ritonavir (Norvir), terbinafine (Lamisil), and thioridazine (Mellaril). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have a slow heart rate, heart failure, problems with blood circulation, or pheochromocytoma (a tumor that develops on a gland near the kidneys and may cause high blood pressure and 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 disease; heart or liver disease; diabetes; severe allergies; or an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism). if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking metoprolol. you should know that metoprolol may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication. you should know that if you have allergic reactions to different substances, your reactions may be worse while you are using metoprolol, and your allergic reactions may not respond to the usual doses of injectable epinephrine.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911. Symptoms of overdose may include:

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dizziness</li>
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fainting</li>
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difficulty breathing or swallowing</li>
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swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs</li></ul>