What is metoprolol oral tablet?
Metoprolol is used alone or together with other medicines to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure may also increase the risk of heart attacks or strokes. These problems may be less likely to occur if blood pressure is controlled.
Metoprolol is also used to treat severe chest pain (angina) and lowers the risk of repeated heart attacks. It is given to people who have already had a heart attack. In addition, metoprolol is used to treat patients with heart failure.
Metoprolol is available in these two forms, which are described in more detail below:
- immediate-release tablets, called metoprolol tartrate
- extended-release tablets, called metoprolol succinate
Both of these forms of metoprolol can be used to:
- prevent angina (a type of chest pain)
- treat high blood pressure
Additionally, metoprolol succinate is used to treat heart failure. And metoprolol tartrate is used to treat a heart attack or prevent one from occurring in the future.
Both metoprolol succinate and metoprolol tartrate can be used in adults. In addition, metoprolol succinate can be used in some children with high blood pressure.
Metoprolol tartrate is an immediate-release tablet, which means it works right away after you take it. Metoprolol succinate, on the other hand, is an extended-release tablet. It works consistently over a period of time after you take it.
How metoprolol work
Metoprolol is a beta-blocker. It works by affecting the response to nerve impulses in certain parts of the body, like the heart. As a result, the heart beats slower and decreases blood pressure. When the blood pressure is lowered, the amount of blood and oxygen is increased in the heart.
How should I take metoprolol?
As stated above, metoprolol comes as a tablet and an extended-release (long-acting) tablet to take by mouth. The regular tablet is usually taken once or twice a day with meals or immediately after meals. The extended-release tablet is usually taken once a day. To help you remember to take metoprolol, take it around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take metoprolol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
The extended-release tablet may be split. Swallow the whole or half tablets whole; do not chew or crush them.
Your doctor may start you on a low dose of metoprolol and gradually increase your dose.
Metoprolol controls high blood pressure and angina but does not cure them. Metoprolol extended-release tablets control heart failure but do not cure it. It may take a few weeks before you feel the full benefit of metoprolol. Continue to take metoprolol even if you feel well.
How long does metoprolol stay in your system?
There are several factors that come into play when estimating how long metoprolol will stay in your system because every patient has physiology unique to them. Here are some major factors you should consider when trying to understand how long metoprolol will stay in your body:
• Age: Typically, the younger you are, the more efficient your body functions are. The more efficient your body functions, the faster metoprolol will be removed from your system.
• Amount: The higher the dose of metoprolol you have been taking, the longer Metoprolol will take to be removed from your system.
• Genetics: Genes predispose people to different metabolic functions, which is a key factor in how your body processes medications like metoprolol. For this reason, your genetic makeup comes into play when estimating how long Metoprolol will remain in your system.
• Kidney and liver functions: The liver and kidneys eliminate everything you ingest, and metoprolol is no exception. If your liver or kidneys are damaged, it will most likely take longer for your body to remove the metoprolol from your system.
• Metabolism: Your metabolism determines how quickly you process foods, liquids, and drugs such as metoprolol. If your metabolism is slow, it will take longer for your body to process and eliminate metoprolol from its system than someone with a fast metabolism.
• Usage frequency: The longer you have been taking metoprolol, the longer it will remain in your system. For example, it will take longer for someone who has taken metoprolol for several years to remove metoprolol from the body than someone who has only been taking metoprolol for a few months.
The elimination half-life of metoprolol averages 3.5 hours (with extremes of 1 and 9 hours). The half-life of a drug is the time it takes for the amount of a drug’s active substance in your body to reduce by half. About 94 to 97% of a drug will have been eliminated after 4 to 5 half-lives. Thus, it follows that after 4 to 5 half-lives, the plasma concentrations of a given drug will be below a clinically relevant concentration and thus will be considered eliminated.
Generally, it takes between 18 to 45 hours depending on many other factors to remove metoprolol from your system after you stop taking it. However, consuming some types of foods and beverages can increase the amount of time it takes for your body to eliminate the drug from your system and the risk of side effects.
Metoprolol side effects
Metoprolol oral tablets can cause certain side effects.
More common side effects
The more common side effects that can occur with metoprolol include:
• tiredness
• diarrhea
• constipation
• breathing problems such as shortness of breath, cough, and wheezing
• bradycardia (heart rate that’s slower than normal)
• reduced interest in sex
• rash
If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
• Low blood pressure (hypotension). Symptoms can include:
o severe dizziness
o lightheadedness
o fainting
• Cold hands and feet. Symptoms can include
o hands and feet that are cold and may be painful
• Very slow heart rate (severe bradycardia)
• Extreme fatigue. Symptoms can include:
o feeling more tired than usual
o tiredness that gets progressively worse each day
• Serious depression. Symptoms can include:
o continuous feelings of sadness or anxiety
o feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness
o lack of interest in hobbies you once enjoyed
o eating too much or too little
o trouble concentrating
Metoprolol may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
