Blood Pressure Drugs

• Amlodipine
• Diovan
• Hyzaar
• Irbesartan
• Losartan
• Metoprolol
• Norvasc
• Valsartan

Metoprolol

Metoprolol questions and answers

The lowest prices on Metoprolol can be found online at TheDrugCompany.com

Q: Metoprolol?
I am having side effects such as shortness of breath, dizziness, and weakness. I have seen a respitory therapist and been told I may have asthma. What other medications should I consider talking to my cardiologist about. I know he will prescribe something else if he feels it is warranted, but I would like to know some additional options myself and be able to make an informed decision.

A: Info on metoprolol: http://health.yahoo.com/drug/d00134a1 Other blood pressure medications your doctor may put you on: http://familydoctor.org/797.xml#2

Q: What is the colors and shapes of the metoprolol pill?
The refill I received today on metoprolol is pink in color, scored, and round in shape. Previous prescriptions have been white, scored, and oblong in shape.

A: Maybe they are a different brand and maker? you can always check with the pharmacyst and they will tell you!!!!!! I would do that before i took any! alexia's mommy

Q: I was recently put on Metoprolol for blood pressure, and I'm stuffed up and need a decongestant. Suggestions?
I've heard that certain cold/decongestant medicines can raise your blood pressure and if you are on certain medications that could be bad. Does anyone know a good decongestant to take that I can buy at the pharmacy that is OK to take with Metoprolol (hypertension/blood pressure medicine)? Thanks!

A: Go to a pharmacy and ask a pharmacist. Or call your doctor.

Q: Will metoprolol and sertraline cause bad effects to my heart?
I take metoprolol and sertraline and have had recent chest pain on left side and up my neck on December 3rd. Is it a bad interaction? My doctor will not change anything on my medications. I am seeing a cardiologist for my heart condition. He only told me to go to the emergency room for the pain, but never even considered about the drug interactions when taking both metoprolol and sertraline.

A: These drugs very rarely if ever have an interaction. Metoprolol is the generic version of Lopressor and sertraline is the generic Zoloft. Actually, if you have anxiety these two together are usually extremely affective in treating arrythmias and anxiety. I would go to the ER, explain the pain, tell them that you are not happy with your doc and after your treatment ask for another doc. The nurses often have one that they prefer. Everyone has their opinions. You definitely need to see an electrophysiologist that deals with the electrical system of the heart (SA and AV nodes, Bundle of His and Purkinje fibers). You also should have a cardiac enzymes test and a BMP (basic metobolic panel) blood test done to determine if your electrolytes are out of whack and if your potassium is low, sometimes it will cause chest pain. Go, to the ER. Quit procrastinating. Hope all goes well.

Q: Is it ok to take metoprolol and benicar at the same time?
I'm currently taking 25mg of metoprolol, and my doctor put me on benicar. I'm suppose to wean off the metoprolol while starting the benicar. they are both for high blood pressure.

A: Lots of people take both. You should ask your doctor about how he/she wants you to switch meds.

Q: Will taking metoprolol cause mild pain in the center of your chest?
I have mitral valve regurgitation and palpitations. I am currently taking metoprolol for this condition.

A: Metoprolol should not cause you to have chest pain. Many of the patients in our office (that take it for MVP or palpitations)talk about feeling pretty tired when they first start taking it, but gradually get used to it. If you are continuing to have chest pain, see your doctor about trying another medication, and possible the need for further testing to make sure something else isn't going on with you! Good Luck.

Q: Is it weird that my doctor gave me Metoprolol for studying?
It seems to have nothing to do with helping concentration and when I've googled "metoprolol for studying" it pretty much comes up nada... He said it helps you sit and study for hours (which I have trouble doing due to a sometimes short attention span), but does it? Do you think it could be because it lowers your heart rate? Therefore you are more relaxed?

A: Your doc is a wac job.....As an ICU nurse......I've never heard of using metoprolol for studying it is for blood pressure, and it also lowers your heart rate. Do you even know what your baseline bp and hr are?.....If you don't ..DO NOT take this medication..........tell your doctor he has prescribed you a medicine out of context!

Q: Why does metoprolol make me feel dizzy sometimes?
I've been taking metoprolol for six days and it never made me as dizzy as it did this morning.

A: Metoprolol is a "beta blocker" which blocks the actions of certain hormones. It tends to slow down the heart rate and relax blood vessels and so is generally used to treat high blood pressure, irregular heart beats, or to prevent heart attacks but it has other uses also. You should call your doctor's office. Dizziness could be a sign that you are having unwanted side effects, or that it may be working "too well". It may pass with time, but you should definitely let your doctor know. They are the one that knows your condition best.

Q: How does metoprolol actually work, don't quite understand?
I have a Rx for it, for High Blood Pressure, and tachy heart. I have read that it blocks beta-1, receptors, all over the body, including the heart? What does this mean? Does it completely block adrenaline, or does it sort of antagonize the release of adrenaline? And could it be the cause of my anxiety, because I have chronic tachycardia?

A: Yes, there are beta receptors all over the body. The primary purpose of a beta blocker, like metoprolol is to block vasoconstriction. There are beta receptors in the smooth muscle that lines blood vessels. When these receptors are activated, either by norepinephrine, or epinephrine, the smooth muscle contracts, and blood pressure goes up. There are also beta receptors in the kidney - in these, metopolol's effect is to increase the secretion of renin, part of how the body regulates blood pressure. This also lowers blood pressure. Metopolol favors doing this rather than working on smooth muscle, because in the kidney there are beta1 receptors, and the smooth muscle is beta2. How it works on a molecular level, is you have a beta receptor sitting on a cell. The beta blocker comes in and sticks to it. While the beta blocker is on there, the norepi or epi molecule can't turn on the receptor. It can't completely block these signals, because there are untold thousands of beta receptors, and the metopolol molecules fall on and off. Basically - it blocks some of the adrenaline, but not all of it. While beta blockers can have cognitive symptoms, anxiety is not usually one of them. Beta blockers are actually very frequently used to treat performance anxiety, or stage fright. Tried to keep that in simple terms, but if you need more clarification, feel free to ask, or email me.

Q: When taking metoprolol is it bad for you to drink alcohol? How about painkillers?
if it is bad for you, how bad is it?

A: no, there's no interactions between metoprolol and alcohol nor pain medications. you probably shouldn't mix the alcohol and narcotic painkillers though.

Q: Can a rash & Itching be a result of taking metoprolol.Is it possible this can happen after 14 yrs?
I have been on metoprolol for about 14 years for high blood pressure. I had to get my meds from another pharmacy that uses a different manufacturer then the one i was using. I notice a terrible rash and extreme itching . I am wondering if it is from the difference in color of the pills.and maybe some ingredients in it. Please help me out.

A: Allergic reactions can occur at anytime, even after 14 years. However, alarm bells went off when you mentioned "color change." You should contact the pharmacy immediately and verify that the color of the pill should be different. There are a number of different generic companies that make metoprolol, so verify that's the case. If no dispensing error has been made, speak to your doctor and to the pharmacy manager. Explain that you did fine before the generic switch. I have a couple of patients that I stock specific generics for them for this same reason. As others have mentioned, there can be other reasons for a sudden allergic reaction, anything from a new laundry detergent or a new perfume. But rule out the medication first. By the way, if the pharmacist or his/her boss doesn't want to special order a product for you, contact the district pharmacy manager (if a chain store) or find a new pharmacy. I'll special order anything to keep a patient happy - and healthy. Be well. I hope this helps. Rick the Pharmacist

Q: with 25 mg of metoprolol my heart rate does not get lower, do I need more?
My workout heart rate was in the high 120's to low 130s while working out, I am on metoprolol 25mg, now it is in the high 130s to mid 140s same dosage and same work out. Even my resting heart rate seems a little high for being on this med. Do I need more? Also, it seems that it takes an awful long time in the day before I see my heart rate lower. I take the pill between 6,00 and 6,30 am sometimes the heart rate does not get lower until evening. It is not lower when I work out around 10 am, it should not take that long for the med to kick in. What to do?

A: Your heart rate will be high when you work out. This because the heart works hard and fast. What you have to check out is what is your heart rate when you are at rest. The normal heart rate is from 60-100 beats per minute while you are resting. Anything more than a 100 is tachycardia. And once you have taken your tablet in the AM it is just normal for your heart rate to go down in the evening. Just relax and don't dwell too much about your heart rate. At least you do work out and in time you will get back to a normal rate.

Q: Can I switch from Atenolol to Metoprolol?
I was having incredibly bad nightmares with the atenolol (50 mg twice per day) so she switched me to the Metoprolol. Starting tomorrow, I am supposed to STOP the Atenolol and start the Metoprolol. I know that the drugs are both beta blockers so do you think it will help with my nightmares or am i just wasting my money changing? Im not sure if this is okay or not. My dr. is kind of..well, stupid...but, its all I can get without insurance. Any other advice is welcome too! Thanks!

A: I have to take 100mg Atenolol everyday. Though I take it at night be for I go to bed. Though I have been cold, so this Dr. suggested I take only 50mg a day. This Dr. is the GOOD Dr. The other Dr. I have IS an idiot. I just read the Prescription Drug Book of your question. Both the Atenolol and Metoprolol read to be the same. I was having quite a coughing bit every morning I was taking Altace. Though the GOOD Dr. had me take Micardis.. The coughing stopped. Good Dr. also said take them all at the same time..Right before you go to bed is fine. That way you will not be belching the nasty flavors all day. So perhaps the Metoprolol may work. I am not a Dr. though my good Dr. is good.! Screwing with the heart is not fun.. Hang in there.

Q: How does metoprolol tartrate & other beta-blockers affect hypertensive patients?


A: These as you stated are beta blockers. A beta blocker blocks the beta receptors found specifically on the heart and around the body. Beta receptors are a receptor type associated with the sympathetic nervous system, and are found on specific effector organs. Common beta receptor carrying organs/tissues include the: Heart (beta 1) Ciliary muscles (2) Arterioles (2) Stomach (2) Lungs (2) Bladder (2) etc etc Beta blockers So what happens is that as an impulse is initiated the propagation of it is limited and the effect of that impulse does not occur. Beta receptors are classed as excitory (beta 1) or inhibitory/relaxation (beta 2). Beta 3 are found in adipocytes (fat cells). The effect this has is to block the propagation and reduce the force and rate of the heart beat, hence this decreases blood pressure. They also (from above) relax blood vessels (beta 2) also reducing the blood pressure. Stimulation of the kidneys leads to renin release which consequently causes a cascade of effects on its own to increase blood pressure, hence blocking this would prevent the renin-angiotensin system from developing, further reducing blood pressure. This is just a basic overview, read a physiology texts for more detail.

Q: does anyone know if you can take cyclobenzapr while taking metoprolol?
Would like to know because I have fibromyalgia and hurting bad today.

A: There is nothing here: http://www.drugs.com/cyclobenzaprine.html http://www.drugs.com/metoprolol.html to indicate that you shouldn't mix those two. BUT I am not a pharmacist. You can go down to your local drug store -- to any pharmacy -- and ask the pharmacist the same question and they will happily answer your question. for free. I take one of them, my wife takes the other, but I have never had a reason to try and mix them -- neither has she. .