Metoprolol

In Aotearoa New Zealand metoprolol comes as tablets – immediate release tablets (metoprolol tartrate) and controlled release tablets (metoprolol succinate).

• Check with your pharmacist which form you're taking. 
•  If your medicine looks different to what you were expecting, ask your pharmacist.
• The dose of metoprolol will be different for different people.
• Always take metoprolol exactly as your healthcare provider has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much metoprolol to take, how often to take it, and any special instructions. 
• If you're not sure how much to take, ask your healthcare provider.

• Controlled release (CR) tablets (metoprolol succinate):
• • Take these tablets once a day.
  • Swallow the tablets whole, with a glass of water – you can halve them if you need to but don't crush or chew them.

• Immediate release tablets (metoprolol tartrate):
  • Take these as you have been prescribed (usually 2 or 3 times a day).
  • Take your doses at the same times each day.

• Food: You can take metoprolol with or without food.
• Missed dose: If you forget your dose, take it as soon as you remember that day. But if it's nearly time for your next dose, just take the next dose at the usual time. Don't take double the dose.

Here are some things to know when you're taking metoprolol. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.

• Alcohol: Avoid alcohol while you're taking metoprolol, especially when you first start treatment. Alcohol can increase your risk of side effects such as feeling dizzy.
• Driving: Metoprolol can make you feel tired and dizzy. Be careful when driving or using tools until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Other medicines: Metoprolol interacts with some medicines, herbal supplements and rongoā Māori, so check with your healthcare provider before starting metoprolol and before starting any new products.
• If you’re taking metoprolol for heart failure, check with your pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter anti-inflammatories such as diclofenac (eg, Voltaren Rapid) or ibuprofen (eg, Nurofen). These can also be found in cold and flu medicines and may reduce the effectiveness of metoprolol.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding: Talk to your healthcare provider if you're pregnant, planning a pregnancy or want to breastfeed.
• Keep taking metoprolol regularly: Treatment with metoprolol is usually long-term. You should continue to take it unless you are advised by your doctor to stop. 
• Don't stop taking metoprolol suddenly: This can be dangerous and make you feel unwell. Talk to your healthcare provider before stopping.

If you have diabetes

• If you have diabetes, metoprolol may cause changes in your blood glucose level. This effect usually settles with time.
• Beta-blockers may reduce the warning signs of a low blood glucose level (hypoglycaemia – often called a hypo). For example, you may not have the feeling of fast, irregular or strong heartbeats (palpitations) or tremor, which can occur when your blood glucose is going too low.
• If you're worried about this, talk to your healthcare provider. Don't stop taking your beta-blocker without checking with your healthcare provider first. Read more about hypoglycaemia.

If you have asthma

• If you have asthma, taking metoprolol may trigger your asthma symptoms or make them worse. Not everybody with asthma is sensitive to these medicines.
• If you're worried about this, talk to your healthcare provider. They may be able to prescribe a different medicine or increase the dose of your asthma medicine. Read more about medicines that may trigger asthma symptoms.

Like all medicines, metoprolol can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine.

Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect.