Metoprolol - a beta-blocker

About metoprolol

Metoprolol is a type of medicamentos beta-bloqueadores that is used to treat several heart-related conditions including high blood pressure, angina (chest pain) and irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias).

It is also used to ease some of the symptoms of an overactive thyroid gland and to help prevent migraines. It can be helpful for people who find other treatments for migraine unsuitable.

Metoprolol slows down the activity of your heart by stopping messages sent by some nerves to your heart. It does this by blocking tiny areas (called beta-adrenergic receptors) where the messages are received by your heart.

As a result, your heart beats more slowly and with less force. This allows the pressure of blood within your blood vessels to be reduced if you have presión arterial alta (hipertensión), and helps to prevent abnormally fast heart rhythms (arrhythmias).

Because your heart is using less energy, this helps to reduce chest pain if you have angina. Metoprolol can also help to protect the heart following a heart attack.

The most common side effects of metoprolol are:

• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded - especially when getting up from a sitting or lying down position.

• Sintiéndose cansado.

• Sentirse mal (náuseas).

• Estar enfermo (vómitos).

• Stomach pain or upset.

• Dolor de cabeza.

• Slow heartbeat.

• Cold hands or feet.

Encontrará una lista completa en el prospecto del fabricante que se suministra con su medicamento. Los efectos no deseados a menudo mejoran a medida que su cuerpo se adapta al nuevo medicamento, pero hable con su médico o farmacéutico si alguno de los siguientes persiste o se vuelve problemático.

Si experimenta otros síntomas que cree que pueden deberse al medicamento, hable con su médico o farmacéutico para obtener más consejos.

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking metoprolol it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• Si estás embarazada, intentando tener un bebé o amamantando.

• Si tienes asma u otro trastorno respiratorio.

• Si tienes algún problema con el funcionamiento de tu hígado.

• Si tienes presión arterial baja o mala circulación.

• Si tienes niveles altos de azúcar en la sangre (diabetes mellitus).

• Si tienes un problema de piel llamado psoriasis.

• Si tienes una condición que causa debilidad muscular, llamada miastenia gravis.

• Si le han dicho que tiene un ritmo cardíaco lento o bloqueo cardíaco (un ritmo lento e irregular).

• If you have been told you have chest pain called Prinzmetal's angina (caused by spasms of your heart's blood vessels).

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que esté disponible para comprar sin receta, así como medicamentos herbales y complementarios.

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción alérgica a un medicamento, o si ha tenido alguna otra reacción alérgica grave.

• Read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about metoprolol and will provide you with a full list of the side effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Your doctor will tell you what dose is right for you, and this information will be printed on the label of the pack of tablets to remind you.

• Take metoprolol exactly as your doctor tells you to. You may be prescribed one, two, three or four doses to take each day, depending upon your medical condition.

  • Try to take your doses at the same times of day each day, as this will help you to remember to take the tablets regularly. It is recommended that you take your doses before meals.

• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless your next dose is due. If your next dose is due then take the tablet which is due but leave out the forgotten one. Do not take two doses together to make up for missing one.

• Intenta mantener tus citas regulares con tu médico. Esto es para que tu médico pueda verificar tu progreso.

• Treatment with metoprolol can often be long-term. Continue to take the tablets unless your doctor tells you to stop. Stopping treatment suddenly can cause problems in some people, so your doctor may want you to reduce your dose gradually if this becomes necessary.

• If you are due to have an operation or dental treatment, it is important to tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking a beta-blocker. This is because some anaesthetics may increase the risk of unwanted effects.

• If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor for advice about taking metoprolol and alcohol. Alcohol will add to the blood pressure-lowering effect of metoprolol and so may not be recommended for you.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable for you to take. Some medicines (including some cough, cold and flu remedies) may not be.

• Your doctor may give you dietary and lifestyle advice about eating a healthy diet, not smoking, and taking regular exercise. If so, it is important that you follow the advice you are given.

• If you have diabetes, metoprolol can block the symptoms of low blood sugar. Your doctor will advise you about this.

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

Are there any long-term side effects of metoprolol?

Metoprolol is usually safe long term and often works best when taken when it is taken for long periods of time.

What is the best time to take metoprolol?

The best time to take metoprolol depends on the condition being treated and the type prescribed. Standard metoprolol is usually taken two or three times a day with food, while extended-release versions are taken once daily, often in the morning. Always take it at the same time each day, and follow your doctor’s instructions.

Can metoprolol cause coughing?

Metoprolol is not commonly associated with coughing, though some people may notice mild respiratory symptoms. Coughing is more typical with a different class of blood pressure medicines called ACE inhibitors.

Will I need to stop metoprolol before surgery?

Metoprolol is usually continued before surgery to maintain heart and blood pressure control. Follow your doctor’s instructions for dosing on the day.