Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: METOPROLOL (me-TOE-proe-lole)
This medicine is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent (beta-blocker) used to treat high blood pressure. It may be used alone or with other medicines. It is also used for the long-term treatment of chest pain (angina) and to reduce the risk of death due to heart problems in certain patients who have had a heart attack. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
WARNING: Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine; sharp chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and sometimes heart attack may occur. The risk may be greater if you have certain types of heart disease. Your doctor should slowly lower your dose over several weeks if you need to stop taking it, even if you only take it for high blood pressure. Heart disease is common and you may not know you have it. Limit physical activity while you are lowering your dose. If new or worsened chest pain or other heart problems occur, contact your doctor right away. You may need to start taking this medicine again. Tell your doctor or dentist that you take this medicine before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery. Tell your doctor if you have a history of diabetes or take medicine to lower your blood sugar (eg, glyburide, insulin). This medicine may hide signs of low blood sugar such as fast heartbeat. Tell your doctor right away if you notice other signs of low blood sugar such as anxiety, chills, dizziness, drowsiness, fainting, headache, tremor, unusual sweating, vision changes, or weakness. This medicine should not usually be used by patients who have a history of certain lung or breathing problems (eg, asthma) or a certain type of adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma). It may worsen these conditions. Tell your doctor if you have a history of these conditions; your doctor may need to adjust your dose or prescribe additional medicine to reduce the risk of side effects. Tell your doctor if you have a history of overactive thyroid. This medicine may hide symptoms of overactive thyroid (eg, fast heartbeat). Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine; suddenly stopping this medicine could worsen your condition. Your doctor should slowly lower your dose over several weeks if you need to stop taking it. Check with your doctor for more information. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE IF you are taking mibefradil. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking amiodarone, bupropion, certain HIV protease inhibitors (eg, ritonavir), certain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine, paroxetine), cimetidine, digoxin, diphenhydramine, disopyramide, flecainide, hormonal contraceptives (eg, birth control pills), hydralazine, hydroxychloroquine, ketanserin, mefloquine, phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine), propafenone, quinazolines (eg, alfuzosin), quinidine, terbinafine, thiamines (eg, propylthiouracil), verapamil, barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), indomethacin, phenylpropanolamine, bupivacaine, lidocaine, or clonidine. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including lung or breathing problems (eg, asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]), diabetes, low blood pressure, thyroid problems, or adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma), allergies, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you have a history of heart attack, slow or irregular heartbeat, heart failure, or other heart problems; chest pain or angina; blood vessel or circulation problems; liver disease; or if you will be having surgery or receiving anesthesia. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a very slow heartbeat (eg, bradycardia), certain types of irregular heartbeat (eg, atrioventricular [AV] block, sick sinus syndrome), moderate to severe heart failure, very low systolic blood pressure (less than 100 mm Hg), or severe blood circulation problems. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for taking this medicine provided by your doctor. TAKE THIS MEDICINE BY MOUTH WITH FOOD or immediately following a meal at the same time each day. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE IF you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine or to another beta-blocker (eg, propranolol). IF YOU HAVE A HISTORY OF ANY SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION, talk with your doctor. You may be at risk for an even more severe allergic reaction if you come into contact with the substance that caused your allergy. Some medicines used to treat severe allergies may also not work as well while you are using this medicine. LAB TESTS, including liver and kidney function, blood pressure, and complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use this medicine. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS, DIZZINESS, OR LIGHTHEADEDNESS. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use this medicine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it. This medicine may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects. PATIENTS WHO TAKE MEDICINE FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms. DO NOT SUDDENLY STOP TAKING THIS MEDICINE without first consulting your doctor. If your doctor decides you should no longer use this medicine, you will need to stop this medicine gradually according to your doctor's instructions. IF YOUR DOCTOR HAS INSTRUCTED YOU TO CHECK YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE and heart rate regularly, be sure to do so. TELL YOUR DOCTOR OR DENTIST that you take this medicine before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Do not take any medicines used to treat colds or congestion without first talking with your doctor or pharmacist. FOR WOMEN: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using this medicine while you are pregnant. This medicine is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use this medicine, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby. DIABETES PATIENTS: this medicine may hide signs of low blood sugar, such as rapid heartbeat. Be sure to watch for other signs or low blood sugar. Low blood sugar may make you anxious, sweaty, weak, dizzy, drowsy, or faint. It may also make your vision change; give you a headache, chills, or tremors; or make you more hungry. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth/eyes, gas, headache, heartburn, lightheadedness, mild drowsiness, muscle aches, nausea, stomach pain, trouble sleeping, unusual tiredness or weakness, or vomiting. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience blue or unusually cold hands or feet; chest pain; fainting; hallucinations; mood or mental changes (eg, confusion, depression); pounding in the chest; severe dizziness or lightheadedness; shortness of breath; slow or irregular heartbeat; swelling of the arms, hands, and feet; vision changes; wheezing; yellowing of the skin or eyes. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include chest pain, seizures, very slow heart beat, severe dizziness, fainting, and difficult or slowed breathing.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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