What is metoprolol?
Metoprolol is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain (angina). It is sometimes prescribed to patients who have experienced a heart attack.
Looking for a safe, effective way to keep your blood pressure under control? Talk to your doctor about whether metoprolol may be right for you.
What are the most common side effects of Metoprolol?
While adverse reactions to metoprolol are uncommon, some patients who take the drug may experience mild side effects, including low energy or drowsiness, cold hands and feet, diarrhea, constipation, shortness of breath, and itchiness or rash.
Rare, more serious adverse events have also been known to occur. If you are concerned that metoprolol may be causing you to experience any number of adverse side effects, please contact your doctor or provider.
This is not a complete list of side effects. For more information on adverse side effects you may experience while taking metoprolol, please visit the National Institutes of Health’s DailyMed webpage.
Metoprolol is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain (angina), and heart attacks.
It is a type of drug called a beta-blocker, which means that it reduces your heart rate and blood pressure, takes strain off of your heart, and improves cardiovascular function.
Looking for a safe, effective way to keep your blood pressure under control? Talk to your doctor about whether metoprolol may be right for you.
Metoprolol treats conditions related to the heart and blood vessels. It can be used to treat high blood pressure - either on its own or in combination with other medications your doctor prescribes.
It can also be used in the long-term treatment of angina pectoris, chest pain that occurs when the heart muscles don’t get the amount of blood they need. This is often due to plaque buildup in the arteries.
Metoprolol can be used following a heart attack to increase a patient’s chances of survival.
Metoprolol belongs to a category of medications known as beta-blockers. Beta-blockers block the effects of the hormone adrenaline (or epinephrine). This relaxes and dilates your blood vessels, improving blood flow and lowering your blood pressure. Beta-blockers also relax the muscles in your heart, causing it to beat more slowly and less powerfully. This also contributes to lowering blood pressure, as well as reducing your heart’s workload.
While there are some common side effects associated with metoprolol, it is important to remember that your doctor prescribed this medication because they believe that its ability to keep your blood pressure under control outweighs any adverse side effects it may cause.
However, you may still experience some common metoprolol side effects. These may include:
Low energy or drowsiness Cold hands and feet, due to reduced blood flow Diarrhea Constipation Shortness of breath or wheezing Itchiness or rash
Contact your doctor if these side effects are severe or do not go away.
More severe side effects of metoprolol may include:
Dizziness Slowed heart rate (bradycardia) Low blood pressure Depression
Call your doctor if any of these side effects persist or worsen, or if you experience any other side effects.
When taken for high blood pressure, you can expect to take metoprolol for one week before your doctor can see an effect.
When taken for chest pain or to prevent a second heart attack, metoprolol has a preventative effect. It is important to take it regularly as prescribed, not just when you feel symptoms.
Even if you don’t feel any different, the medication is still working. Remember that high blood pressure rarely causes physical symptoms, so metoprolol may still be working - even if you don’t feel any different.
Do not stop using metoprolol suddenly, or your condition could worsen. You may even put yourself at increased risk of having a heart attack. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.
If you have been prescribed Metoprolol for high blood pressure, your doctor will probably start by prescribing 100 mg daily, either taken as a single dose or broken up into several doses. Your doctor will gradually raise the dosage until its maximum effectiveness is reached.
If you are taking Metoprolol for chest pain, you will probably start at 100 mg daily, taken in two doses. From there, the doctor will increase your dose about once a week until the desired effect is achieved.
If you are taking Metoprolol to prevent a heart attack, the doctor may prescribe 100 mg twice daily, for at least 3 months. In some cases, doctors may prescribe 25 or 50 mg every six hours.
Metoprolol is currently only available via prescription. This means the use of this drug must be authorized by a licensed health care provider.
Providers on Sesame can write a prescription – or refill an existing one – during a virtual or in-person visit. Depending on the medication, you can arrange for same-day pickup at a pharmacy near you. Book an online consultation with a real, licensed provider on Sesame today to determine whether or not metoprolol is right for you.
Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your health care provider. Providers on Sesame cannot prescribe controlled substances.
Yes! Talk to a provider on Sesame and get your online doctor prescription or refill ordered right away for fast and convenient pickup from a pharmacy of your choice.
Note that all prescriptions are at the discretion of your clinician.
Atenolol (Generic for Tenormin)
Betaxolol (Generic for Kerlone)
Bisoprolol (Generic for Zebeta)
Carvedilol (Generic for Coreg)
Labetalol
Metoprolol (Generic for Lopressor)
Metoprolol ER (Generic for Toprol XL)
Nebivolol (Generic for Bystolic)
Pindolol (Generic for Visken)
Propranolol (Generic for Indera)
Timolol (Generic for Blocadren)
