Metroprolol Shortage

[John67]

Hello Chums, I've been taking two 50mg metroprolol, and Pradaxa tablets, daily since I was diagnosed with AF thee years ago. Today I went to pick up my usual prescription and was told that there was a shortage of metroprolol tablets and my GP had prescribed one 50mg atenolol per day instead. As anybody else come across this shortage problem?

Regards

John 67

[Hidden]

I dont use Metoprolol but there is a problem.

sps.nhs.uk/articles/shortag...

The drug is manufactured in Sweden and and also but separately supplied by an Italian company using Astra Zeneca who manufacture it.

Maybe Brexit will complicate this.

Metoprolol and Atenolol seem to be slightly different beta blockers.

[wilsond]

Others have said same thing...it seems intermittent supply problem.. hope atenolol suits you. My mum took it for years no problem xx

[Hidden]

I have been experiencing problems for the last three months. My Gp now issues me with a separate prescription for metoprolol and I have to ring round all local chemists to see who has them. I have been successful so far but it is a real nuisance. Metoprolol works reasonably well for me and doctor is reluctant to change. I hope this problem is resolved soon.

[dmac4646]

would imagine this situation will get worse or better depending on how Brexit plays out.

[John67]

Thank you to everyone who replied. Spoke to my local Chemist yesterday and she said she expects metroprolol will be discontinued soon

Regards

John

[Wightbaby]

Hi John67

See my post "Wot? No Metoprolol"......

I am really worried about possibly having to change...I have been taking Meto' for over 6 years now, and I feel it suits me, as much as these things can.

I am in persistent, but have really adapted my life and try to just get on with it...

Please let me know how you get on with Atenolol...you can PM me if you like.

I am seeing my GP tomorrow

Thanks

[Jong1945]

Yes, just had the same, post my aortic repair a while back. GP has moved me to Bisoprolol, which is more cardio-specific than metoprolol. Don't know if metoprolol might be better at calming AF, since when I was prescribed it by the hospital I was back in (post-operatively) AF. But Amiodarone has got hold of my AF and converted me. Currently only on my first day of Bisoprolol so early days to see how it's going. But I already feel a fair bit better

[Jong1945]

Yes, I was right, bisoprolol is not used for arrhythmias, see link to the Word doc at sps.nhs.uk/articles/shortag... per the above post (for which thanks, oyster!