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What Causes Severe Swelling In Legs And Feet Post Withdrawal From Metoprolol?
Question: I was on metoprolol for a very long time and it did not have any side effects when I came to florida my doctor took me off it and put me on carvedilol. My legs and ankles have swollen so much that it is necessary for me to wear compression stockings. I also have gained weight in the last year I would like to stop taking carvedilol and go back on my metoprolol. She also has me on nephidipine which also causes swelling in the legs. I had a stent put in seven months ago and the surgeon said my heart is good and I don't really need to take nephidipine. Can I have your advice. I am extremely concerned with the swelling in my legs and feet. Thank you
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully read your question and would explain that the leg swelling doesn't seem to be related to carvedilol intake. This is not a known adverse effect of carvedilol.
From the other hand nifedipine is known to cause leg swelling. I would not recommend taking it while you have these symptoms.
I would recommend consulting with your attending physician for a careful physical exam and some tests to investigate for the possible cause of swollen legs and ankles:
- a resting ECG and cardiac ultrasound to examine your cardiac function and structure and exclude possible heart failure
- NT-proBNP plasma levels for possible heart failure
- lab blood tests (complete blood count, kidney and liver function tests, fasting glucose, blood electrolytes, blood osmolarity, PCR, sedimentation rate).
If all the above mentioned tests result normal and heart failure as well as other causes of fluid retention are excluded, you can consider switching from carvedilol to metoprolol. These change in the therapy should be gradual for some weeks, to avoid possible adverse effects.
Hope to have been helpful!
Feel free to ask any other questions, whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully read your question and would explain that the leg swelling doesn't seem to be related to carvedilol intake. This is not a known adverse effect of carvedilol.
From the other hand nifedipine is known to cause leg swelling. I would not recommend taking it while you have these symptoms.
I would recommend consulting with your attending physician for a careful physical exam and some tests to investigate for the possible cause of swollen legs and ankles:
- a resting ECG and cardiac ultrasound to examine your cardiac function and structure and exclude possible heart failure
- NT-proBNP plasma levels for possible heart failure
- lab blood tests (complete blood count, kidney and liver function tests, fasting glucose, blood electrolytes, blood osmolarity, PCR, sedimentation rate).
If all the above mentioned tests result normal and heart failure as well as other causes of fluid retention are excluded, you can consider switching from carvedilol to metoprolol. These change in the therapy should be gradual for some weeks, to avoid possible adverse effects.
Hope to have been helpful!
Feel free to ask any other questions, whenever you need!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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