Metoprolol

[Juan P. Negret]

Hello,

My mitral valve was repaired 12 weeks ago. Three weeks later I had an episode of atrial flutter/fibrillation. Five weeks after that I took a Holter test. No flutter/fibrillation was recorded, but a number of pvcs or pacs were recorded. These pvcs or pacs started one week after the flutter/fibrillation and shortly after I started taking Propafenone.

The doctor now says that he wants to change the Propafenone to Metoprolol. I am wondering about possible side effects from Metoprolol. I would appreciate input about this.

Thank you,

Juan P.

 

[Kathy McCain]

Hi Juan,

I having been taking a low dose of Metoprolol, since my valve surgery Feb 2008. So far I have had no symptoms. I did have some fluttering a couple of months ago. The cardio says this is fairly common with valve patients. It is from the surgery. I have heard that one of the symtoms can be fatigue, though, from the meds.

 

[terodac]

I have taken it for almost three years, I only take 50mg a day and I take it with food and a glass of water at breakfast. At first I had a feeling of being tired and shortness of breath but it went away after I worked with this med. I took it all hours of the day to find out what worked best for me, so am is when I can seem to get along with it the best. I just start my day off and don't think about it! I know some people that take 200mg of this drug, I really do not see how they do anything. I am very sensitive to meds might just be me. My doctor and surgeon really believe in this med. I asked him to change me to 25mg a day and he said no! I know it helps slow your heart rate down and is suppose to be good for the heart. Good Luck!

 

[Kristian]

I was on atenolol before surgery and metopralol now. They are similar, although the metoprolol is released faster (which is why I have to take it two times a day rather than the once that I took atenolol. I don't really feel like it is doing as much as the atenolol did before, but my heart's architecture is so different that I'm sure that this is a much bigger deal than a slight change in dosage.

In related news, I managed to end up taking 4 times my dosage the last few days - the doc doubled the size of the pill from 25 to 50 (I've been having afib) and I doubled that, thinking I was taking 25. Maybe that's why I've been so sluggish, lol.

 

[BAVD John]

Juan,

I take 125 mg of metoprolol twice a day. Once in the morning and then again with my evening dinner. I'm 6'2 and about 185 lbs. After my valve surgery my resting heart rate was between 100 and 115 bpm. My surgeon or cardiologist, started me on 100 mg twice a day after surgery but found that dose was not lowering my heart rate to their liking. So therefore the increase to 125 mg. My resting heart rate is now in the low eighties but does rise to about 105 with a little activity.

For the most part I believe I'm tolerating the medication well. The only time I feel sluggish is after a larger than normal lunch. I will be 7 weeks post op on Sept 15 and have not yet returned to work. I'm not sure how you returned to work at 5 or so weeks. I plan on returning to work, teaching, on September 21st. I might have a different opinion on my medication after a full day of work related activity.

 

[Adrienne]

When I had A-Fib in August 2005, I took 100 mg of Metoprolol for a week. I could barely lift my legs to walk, and I just felt generally very tired.

Now, because of a somewhat fast resting heartrate (which I have always had), I take 25 mg (12½ twice a day) of Metoprolol, and I have no side effects whatsoever. It lowers my resting heartrate by about 20 BPM.

 

[Philip B]

Side Effects

Side Effects

I had side effects as I was allergic to that particular medication. I broke out in an itchy rash that lasted for days. Just thinking about it makes my back itch.

-Philip

 

[Bryan B]

Juan,

Here are the 3 side effects that I notice most from taking Metoprolol:

1.) Fatigue. I used to take the extended release (Toprol XL 50mg) and now I take the regular Metoprolol 25mg twice a day. For some reason I seem to have less fatigue by splitting the drug up into 2 doses. It may be because by the time I take the 2nd dose I'm pretty much done with most physical activity for the day.

2.) When I am physically active to the point it would be considered "cardio exercise" my heart rate doesn't want to go up as high as it normally would, and this kind of leaves my body wanting more oxygen than my heart is willing pump out to the body via oxygenated blood. That results in feeling kind of lightheaded and/or short of breath. When that happens I have to slow down whatever I'm doing...at least briefly. Which in some cases can lead to #3.

3.) At times not being able to "perfom" on command. It doesn't diminish the desire, just the ability to act on it at times. Again...by not taking the extended release I can put a "hold" on the evening dosage for a few hours (or minutes) if necessary.

 

[Philip B]

Performance?

Performance?

Perform??? Perform what??????

-Philip

 

[Bryan B]

Perform??? Perform what??????

-Philip

The opportunity still presents itself occasionally.

 

[Cooker]

Hello,

My mitral valve was repaired 12 weeks ago. Three weeks later I had an episode of atrial flutter/fibrillation. Five weeks after that I took a Holter test. No flutter/fibrillation was recorded, but a number of pvcs or pacs were recorded. These pvcs or pacs started one week after the flutter/fibrillation and shortly after I started taking Propafenone.

The doctor now says that he wants to change the Propafenone to Metoprolol. I am wondering about possible side effects from Metoprolol. I would appreciate input about this.

Thank you,

Juan P.

Juan ... I have taken Metoprolol for over four years (25mg) and have noticed no side effects......

 

[towerman]

I was on atenolol before surgery and metopralol now. They are similar, although the metoprolol is released faster (which is why I have to take it two times a day rather than the once that I took atenolol. I don't really feel like it is doing as much as the atenolol did before, but my heart's architecture is so different that I'm sure that this is a much bigger deal than a slight change in dosage.

In related news, I managed to end up taking 4 times my dosage the last few days - the doc doubled the size of the pill from 25 to 50 (I've been having afib) and I doubled that, thinking I was taking 25. Maybe that's why I've been so sluggish, lol.

I also ,was on atenolol before surgery and am on metopralol now. I felt the atenolol controlled my BP better than the metopralol. No side effects on either.