Drug name: Metoprolol

Other names used:

• Lopressor®
• Metrol®
• Minax®

Active Ingredients:

• Metoprolol

Therapeutic effects of Metoprolol: Metoprolol is one of the beta-adrenergic blocking agents or a beta blocker drugs. As the name suggests, these blockers obstructs beta receptors found inside the body. They are located in various parts, such as the heart and blood vessels. Stress hormones create different bodily responses when attached to these receptors. Some of them may cause an increase of the:

• Heart rate
• The force in which the heart pumps blood
• Blood pressure (both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure).

Metoprolol hinder the propagation of a certain beta receptor called beta-1. Adverse effects of stress hormones can be turned by the blocking effect caused by the drug. Heart rate, as well as the systolic and diastolic blood pressure is decreased, lightening the amount of work performed by the heart. Consequently, the needed amount of blood and oxygen for the organ in order to function properly is decreased.

Indications: Immediate release Metoprolol tablets are administered to treat the following conditions:

• Hypertension (High blood pressure)
• To reduce symptoms of angina
• This medicine helps in recovery after heart attack

Extended release metoprolol tablets are used for treating:

• Heart Failure (HF)
• Chest pain due to decreased supply of blood to the heart muscles (angina)
• Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Precautions and Restrictions: It's not advisable to use Metoprolol tablets under the following circumstances:

• If you are allergic to the active and inactive ingredients of this medicine or to other beta blockers
• If your heart rate is very slow (45 beats or less in a minute)
• Cardiac dysrhythmia (2nd and 3rd degree heart block)
• Serious Heart Failure (HF)
• Sinus node dysfunction

Prior to taking metoprolol , you should tell your healthcare provider if you have:

• Various heart related ailments such as heart failure, heart attack, etc
• Bradycardia
• Asthma
• Inflammation of the main air passage to the lungs (Bronchitis)
• Chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD)
• Renal disorders
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Rare tumor of adrenal gland (Pheochromocytoma)
• Skin condition called Psoriasis
• Inadequate production of thyroid hormone (Hyperthyroidism)
• Circulatory problems such as Raynaud's phenomenon and other
• Ailments related to the blood vessels
• Allergic reactions to food stuffs, dyes, preservatives, and other beta blockers

Let the doctor know whether you are:

• Pregnant
• Breast feeding
• About to undergo anesthesia or surgery

Side effects of Metoprolol: With therapeutic drugs there is always a distant possibility of some kind of adverse effect that is wholly or partly unintended. The above stated side effects are only a distant possibility and there are no prior proven records of such effects affecting everyone. Inform your doctor, if you experience the following side effects:

• Runny nose
• Chilly hands and feet
• Itching and rashes
• Constipation
• Pyrosis
• Belching and intestinal gas
• Vomiting
• Pain in the abdomen
• Dry mouth
• Dyspepsia
• Depression
• Tiredness
• Impairment in spatial perception and stability

The users may also experience some rare, but serious side effects and if they experience these side effects they should contact the doctor immediately:

• Breathing difficulty
• Wheezing
• Swelling in the legs, hands, and ankles
• Increase in body weight
• Syncope
• Irregular or rapid heartbeat

These are just some of the side effects and this is by no means an exhaustive list of adverse effects caused due to the use of Metoprolol. For more information kindly consult your physician, pharmacist or see the full details presented with Metoprolol.

Interactions: There is a good chance that Metoprolol may react with other medicines or substance you are currently using, so before taking this drug it's best to check with your physician or pharmacist or any medical expert or go through the detailed information regarding Metoprolol provided by the manufacturer. Be cautious while using Metoprolol with the following medicines:

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as tranylcypromine (Parnate), selegiline (Eldepryl), isocarboxazid (Marplan), etc
• Medicines used to treat diabetes such as glyburide (Diabeta)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as indomethacin (Indocin), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), etc
• Calcium channel blockers such as Nicardipine (Cardene), Isradipine (DynaCirc), Nisoldipine (Sular), Felodipine (Plendil), Nifedipine ER (Adalat CC, Procardia XL), Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), Diltiazem ER (Cardizem CD, Cardizem LA), Diltiazem (Cardizem), Verapamil Extended-Release (Calan SR, Covera-HS), Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin), Amlodipine (Norvasc)
• Terbinafine (Lamisil)
• Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)
• Diphenhydramine (Banophen)
• Ritonavir (Norvir)
• Propafenone (Rythmol)
• Thioridazine (Mellaril)
• Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
• Paroxetine (Paxil, Paxil CR)
• Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
• Amiodarone (Cordarone)
• Clonidine (Catapres, Duraclon)
• Reserpine

Additional Information: Drugs and medical equipments should not be used without prior approval of a trained physician and don't share these drugs with anybody else. Metoprolol tablets are made for specific conditions and it's not advisable to use them for other purposes. Keep medicinal drugs out of the reach of children.