Metoprolol succinate

What is Metoprolol succinate used for?

Metoprolol succinate is a medicine that helps with several heart problems. It lowers blood pressure, making it easier for your heart to pump blood. It also helps prevent chest pain (angina) and makes it easier to exercise. For people with heart failure, it helps them live longer and reduces the chances of needing to go to the hospital.

How does Metoprolol succinate work?

Metoprolol succinate is a type of heart medicine that's absorbed into the body more slowly than another type, metoprolol tartrate. This slower absorption means its peak levels in the blood are lower. Most of it is broken down by the liver, and only a small amount leaves the body unchanged in urine. A small portion of it attaches to a protein in the blood, and it can pass into the brain.

Is Metoprolol succinate effective?

A large study showed that a medicine called metoprolol succinate helped people with heart failure live longer. It reduced deaths by a third and also cut down on the number of hospital visits. It also helped people with high blood pressure, lowering their blood pressure significantly.

How does one know if Metoprolol succinate is working?

A large study showed that the medicine metoprolol succinate helped people with heart failure live longer and reduced their need for hospital stays. It significantly lowered the risk of death and also helped reduce deaths and hospitalizations specifically related to heart failure. Other studies also showed it works well for high blood pressure and chest pain (angina).

What is the usual dose of Metoprolol succinate?

The dose depends on the condition being treated:

• Hypertension: Starting dose: 25–100 mg once daily; maximum: 400 mg/day.
• Angina: 100–400 mg once daily.
• Heart failure: Start with 12.5–25 mg once daily and gradually increase to a target dose of 200 mg/day as tolerated.Always follow your doctor's prescription

How do I take Metoprolol succinate?

Take your metoprolol pills every day as prescribed, ideally with or right after food. If you forget a dose, just skip it and take the next one on time; don't take extra pills to make up for it. Don't stop taking the medicine suddenly or change your dose without talking to your doctor first. There are no special foods you need to avoid.

For how long do I take Metoprolol succinate?

• Take it once daily, with or without food.
• Swallow tablets whole; do not crush or chew.
• Take it at the same time each day for consistent blood levels.

How long does it take for Metoprolol succinate to start working?

Metoprolol succinate slows your heart rate, especially during exercise. How much it slows your heart and for how long depends on the type of pill and how much you take. A slow-release pill works better all day long than a regular pill. Higher doses slow your heart rate more than lower doses.

How should I store Metoprolol succinate?

Keep it at room temperature, around 77°F (25°C). It's okay if it gets a little cooler or warmer, between 59°F (15°C) and 86°F (30°C).

Who should avoid taking Metoprolol succinate?

Take Metoprolol succinate every day as prescribed, ideally with food. If you miss a dose, skip it; don't take extra medicine. Never stop taking it without your doctor's okay. Don't drive or use machinery until you know how the medicine affects you. Tell your doctor right away if you have trouble breathing. Let your doctor or dentist know before any surgery. If you have heart failure, tell your doctor if you gain weight or are short of breath. Drinking alcohol can make side effects worse. If you haven't eaten or are throwing up, you might have low blood sugar.

Can I take Metoprolol succinate with other prescription drugs?

Metoprolol succinate, a heart medicine, can have strong reactions with other drugs. Taking it with certain medications that lower blood pressure (like reserpine or MAO inhibitors) can cause your blood pressure to drop too much or your heart rate to slow down excessively. Some drugs (like quinidine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, and propafenone) can make metoprolol levels in your body much higher, increasing the chances of side effects. Using metoprolol with other heart medications (like digitalis, clonidine, diltiazem, or verapamil) raises the risk of a very slow heart rate. Stopping clonidine while taking metoprolol needs special care to prevent a sudden rise in blood pressure. Finally, drinking alcohol with metoprolol can make the medicine work faster, leading to more side effects. It's very important to tell your doctor about all the medications and supplements you take before starting metoprolol.

Can I take Metoprolol succinate with vitamins or supplements?

Yes, but some supplements, such as calcium, potassium, or magnesium, may interact with Metoprolol. Take them at least 2 hours apart and inform your doctor of all supplements you're taking.

Can Metoprolol succinate be taken safely while pregnant?

Taking metoprolol during pregnancy doesn't seem to cause major birth defects or miscarriage, but studies haven't completely ruled out some risks like the baby being small at birth, born early, or having problems after birth. Animal studies showed problems with high doses. Newborns might have low blood pressure, low blood sugar, slow heart rate, or trouble breathing, so close monitoring is important.

Can Metoprolol succinate be taken safely while breastfeeding?

A small amount of the medicine metoprolol passes into breast milk. The amount a baby gets is very small compared to what the mother takes. Doctors haven't seen any problems in babies because of this. However, for some people who process medicine slowly, doctors might watch the baby for things like a slow heartbeat, dry mouth, skin or eye problems, or bowel problems (diarrhea or constipation).

Is Metoprolol succinate safe for the elderly?

Older adults often need a lower starting dose of metoprolol succinate because their livers, kidneys, or hearts might not work as well as younger people's. They also may take other medications. Studies show that older people respond to the medicine similarly to younger people, even though many older patients were included in the studies.

Is it safe to exercise while taking Metoprolol succinate?

Yes, but your heart rate may not increase as much during exercise. Monitor for symptoms like fatigue or shortness of breath and consult your doctor if needed.

Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking Metoprolol succinate?

Metoprolol is a heart medicine. Mixing it with alcohol can make the medicine work too fast. This could cause problems like a dangerously low heart rate or low blood pressure. It's best to avoid alcohol while taking this medication.