| Author | Message | ||
     Metoprolol Tartrate (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted From: 219.78.148.221 Rating: |
Metoprolol Tartrate How does it work? Metoprolol belongs to a group of medicines called beta-blockers, which block beta receptors in the heart, lungs and other organs of the body. Blocking these receptors prevents the action of two chemicals called noradrenaline and adrenaline that occur naturally in the body. These are often referred to as the 'fight or flight' chemicals as they are responsible for the body's reaction to stressful situations. Blocking the beta receptors in the heart causes the heart to beat more slowly and with less force. The heart therefore uses less energy and the pain of angina is prevented. Abnormal heart rhythms are also prevented. Due to the heart beating more slowly and with less force, the pressure at which blood is pumped out of the heart to the rest of the body is reduced. This is just one of the ways in which beta blockers help to reduce blood pressure, however the whole mechanism is not fully understood. Metoprolol is used to decrease symptoms such as rapid heart rate, sweating and tremor which are associated with thyrotoxicosis. It is also used to prevent migraine, although it is not fully understood how metoprolol works in this area. What is it used for? Angina pectoris Heart attack High blood pressure Irregular heart beats (arrhythmias) Prevention of migraines Thyrotoxicosis Warning! This medicine may mask the symptoms of low blood sugar such as increased heart rate, tremor and nausea. People with diabetes should carefully monitor their blood sugar. You should not suddenly stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you otherwise. If you should require local or general anaesthesia, it is important that you inform your anaesthetist you are taking this medicine. Use with caution in Abnormal muscle weakness Defect of the heart's electrical message pathways resulting in decreased function of the heart (heart block) Diabetes Elderly people History of allergies History of asthma or wheezing Kidney disease Liver disease Pre-surgical management of adrenal gland tumours (phaeochromocytoma), but only in combination with an alpha blocking medicine Psoriasis Not to be used in A problem common in the elderly, related to poor control of the working of the heart (sick sinus syndrome) Allergy to beta-blockers Angina not well controlled by medical treatment Blockage of arteries in the extremities Defect of the heart's electrical message pathways resulting in decreased function of the heart (heart block) Failure of the heart to maintain adequate circulation (cardiogenic shock) Heart failure Increased acid levels in the blood (metabolic acidosis) Low blood pressure (hypotension) Tumour of the adrenal gland (phaeochromocytoma) Very slow heart rate (severe bradycardia) This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine. This medicine should not be used in pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor. This medicine should be used with caution by breastfeeding mothers, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than the possible risk to the baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor. Label warnings Do not stop taking this medication except on your doctor's advice. Side effects Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect. Slower than normal heart beat (bradycardia) Inability of the heart to pump blood efficiently (heart failure) Disturbed sleep Fatigue Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain Dizziness Breathing difficulties due to a narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm) Cold extremities, eg hands and feet Rash The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist. How can this medicine affect other medicines? When taken with other medicines that decrease blood pressure there is an increased risk of a large drop in blood pressure. There may be an increased risk of slow heart rate when metoprolol is taken with digoxin. In diabetic people, metoprolol can prolong the lowering of blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) caused by insulin or other antidiabetic medicines. Individuals should monitor their blood sugar, as metoprolol can also mask the signs of hypoglycaemia. When metoprolol is taken with calcium channel blockers such as verapamil, the risk of slow heart rate, hypotension and heart failure may be increased. Verapamil should be avoided with this medicine. If metoprolol is taken together with clonidine, there is a risk of a rebound increase in blood pressure if clonidine is stopped. Metoprolol should be stopped several days before slowly stopping the clonidine. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as indomethacin may reduce the antihypertensive effects of metoprolol. Care should be taken when adrenaline is given with metoprolol as this combination can cause severely high blood pressure and slow heart rate. Rifampicin increases the removal of this medicine from the body. The use of certain anaesthetics with metoprolol may increase the risk of low blood pressure and slow heart rate. When lignocaine is taken together with metoprolol the blood level of lignocaine may be increased. Anti-arrhythmic medicines such as amiodarone or dipyridamole may increase the risk of slow heart rate when taken with this medicine. Other medicines containing the same active ingredients Betaloc Betaloc-SA Lopresor Lopresor SR Mepranix |
