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Suggest Treatment For Side Effects Of Metoprolol
Question: Been taking 12.5 mg of metoprolol succinate XL for 2 weeks. Side effects are HORRIBLE. Chest pain, more heart palps than ever felt, short of breath. I take it for svt. I have no tolerance for medication as ive tried several at low doses. I agreed to try to stay on this & let it get into my system. I absolutely cannot go another day with these symptoms. Can I cut the 12.5 mg in half & take it. My cardiologist is out of town so PLEASE don't say "call your regular doctor". I know you can't quit these beta blockers cold turkey & I need to know what or how to taper down. Thanks!
Brief Answer:
the dose is too low already!
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
12.5mg of metoprolol per day is a very low dose already. Usually the lowest daily dose is 25mg and much higher doses are commonly prescribed. Metoprolol is supposed to reduce your heart rate and although you may sometimes - as a side effect - feel palpitations, your heart rate should be lower. What I'm trying to say is that the side effects you've mentioned are indeed possible with metoprolol treatment but they are uncommon.
Most pills can divided into half, so you can try to take the half of it for a few days and then withdraw it completely unless you start feeling more palpitations or tachycardia, etc. Normally we reduce the beta blocker dosage by 25% at a time every few days to a week. If the patient tolerates the change then we move on to the next step.
Besides all the above, chest pain is a very good reason to visit the emergency room unless you've got a very clear and solid explanation for its cause. Chest pain can be caused by various disastrous cardiovascular conditions, so immediate investigation is required (unless you've already done the necessary investigation with your doctor).
And finally, of course you've got to call your doctor! Your doctor knows your medical history and has a much clearer view of your problem than any remote doctor could have.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
the dose is too low already!
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
12.5mg of metoprolol per day is a very low dose already. Usually the lowest daily dose is 25mg and much higher doses are commonly prescribed. Metoprolol is supposed to reduce your heart rate and although you may sometimes - as a side effect - feel palpitations, your heart rate should be lower. What I'm trying to say is that the side effects you've mentioned are indeed possible with metoprolol treatment but they are uncommon.
Most pills can divided into half, so you can try to take the half of it for a few days and then withdraw it completely unless you start feeling more palpitations or tachycardia, etc. Normally we reduce the beta blocker dosage by 25% at a time every few days to a week. If the patient tolerates the change then we move on to the next step.
Besides all the above, chest pain is a very good reason to visit the emergency room unless you've got a very clear and solid explanation for its cause. Chest pain can be caused by various disastrous cardiovascular conditions, so immediate investigation is required (unless you've already done the necessary investigation with your doctor).
And finally, of course you've got to call your doctor! Your doctor knows your medical history and has a much clearer view of your problem than any remote doctor could have.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I've been to doc with chest pain, I know about the chest pain. Of this dose is low already, can I quit it safely cold turkey? As I said, I understand it is uncommon but I am in that low percentile I suppose! These side effects are HORRIBLE for me. Can I cut in 1/2 or no?
Brief Answer:
probably yes
Detailed Answer:
Regarding cutting it into half, the answer is that it depends on the particular brand you're using. For example Toprol XL can be divided into half. If the pill has a scored center (a line that runs across the center of the pill) then it's intended to be halved. If you're otherwise healthy and no serious arrhythmia has been diagnosed after adequate investigation then halving the pill for a few days and then stopping would probably be OK for you.
However, if you do experience an increased heart rate, palpitations or other symptoms then you should get back to the last tolerable dosage.
Kind Regards!
probably yes
Detailed Answer:
Regarding cutting it into half, the answer is that it depends on the particular brand you're using. For example Toprol XL can be divided into half. If the pill has a scored center (a line that runs across the center of the pill) then it's intended to be halved. If you're otherwise healthy and no serious arrhythmia has been diagnosed after adequate investigation then halving the pill for a few days and then stopping would probably be OK for you.
However, if you do experience an increased heart rate, palpitations or other symptoms then you should get back to the last tolerable dosage.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
so far i've been okay until today......increased heart rate upon waking this morning. Could this be an effect of dropping my dose down after 2 days of doing so?
Brief Answer:
I don't believe so...
Detailed Answer:
Metoprolol has a half life which ranges from 3-7 hours. This means that the drug is almost completely eliminated within 24 hours (or a little more). So if you've reduced the dose the effects should have been evident sooner. If you're talking about a substantial rise though then trying reinstituting the previous dosage of metoprolol can be considered.
Kind Regards!
I don't believe so...
Detailed Answer:
Metoprolol has a half life which ranges from 3-7 hours. This means that the drug is almost completely eliminated within 24 hours (or a little more). So if you've reduced the dose the effects should have been evident sooner. If you're talking about a substantial rise though then trying reinstituting the previous dosage of metoprolol can be considered.
Kind Regards!
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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