Put on new medication

[Daddyrabbit]

Does anyone have any experience with Metoprolol tartrate? If so does it work and did you experience any side effects? Thanks

[Ppiman]

I haven't used this, but I gather it is a standard modern once daily "cardio-selective" beta-blocker similar to the most commonly prescribed drug, bisoprolol. It seems it is an alternative that some doctors prefer.

Steve

[Snowgirl65]

I was prescribed to take the drug during a-fib episodes to slow the heart rate. It's a fast-acting version of metoprolol succinate which I take twice a day. The tartrate version makes me sleepy which is fine, and does indeed slow the heart. It doesn't take care of the squirrel rhythm, but eases the heart back to NSR slowly.

[Hdev]

I have been on metoprolol for 5 years along with warfarin for afib,,,,,in the beginning,,,,there were no side effects that bothered me,,,,25 mg 2x daily for the metoprolol,,,,then I noticed my vision blurring badly about 2 years ago,,,my ophthalmologist found nothing but made my glasses as strong as she could,,,,now the vision is not good,,and much worse some days,,,I can’t read easily and can’t see street signs when I drive,,,,a friend clued me in that she has the same issues and it’s from years on a beta blocker,metoprolol,,,,checked with the doctor and he is weaning me off metoprolol and I don’t know yet where we go from here,,,which drug do I get now? so many have severe side effects for me,,,and is this eye damage permanent?,,,,must wait for my next md appt in May,,,,I am not happy about any of this,,,I have complained about my vision to several different kinds of doctors overthe last 2 years and no one made the connection,,,very frustrating,,,please check with your doctor,,,,,and good luck

[Daddyrabbit in reply to Hdev]

Thank you so much for this information! I hate the idea of covering up a problem rather than trying to solve it. Every medication that I've been prescribed for AFib I've experienced severe side effects. We don't seem to have very many effective options when it comes to solving this problem. I am very sorry to hear about your vision loss that is horrible. You may have just saved me from dealing with that. Thanks again, I hope to God your vision gets better.

[David1958]

For those of you who need metoprolol for chronic AF, I have no experience with that requirement. I did take it for a few years, but grew weary of it because it severely limited how high my heart rate could go while exercising. I have not had AF for years because I stay away from those things that trigger it. It has been 10 years since I had my ablation done and I could not be happier. All drugs have side effects. It all depends on what you can tolerate. Don't be afraid to tell your doctor either your fears about certain drugs or how a particular drug is affecting you. You are the only booster you will have. So toot that horn loudly when a drug you are using is causing you problems.

[Autumn822 in reply to David1958]

I have episodes of heart fluttering and blood pressure spikes at the same time the doctor gave me 25 mg metoprolol to split morning and night problem is I already have some bradycardia It's Not Unusual for my heart rate to be in the low 50s at night and it was 51 the other night from what I understand with my heart rate that low you're not supposed to take this medication but yet my cardiologists insist. My blood pressure runs fairly normal most of the time as does my heart they seem to coincide and the blood pressure spikes and the Heart fluttering and eptopics together. Usually when I am at rest just relaxing in the bed.

[David1958 in reply to Autumn822]

That bit about low heart rate and metoprolol is interesting. I used to get a 24 hour Holter recording every year. The lowest recorded hear rate was 40bpm. This was when I was on both Flecainide and Metoprolol. I never noticed anything amiss as I was deep asleep when my heart rate was so low. I do not have to do those recordings anymore, so I have no idea if I still get so low each night. My BP benefited from Metoprolol being 108/59 using the drug. I am glad to be off of the drug. Unfortunately, my BP has been rising despite the exercising I do. Asked my cardiologist to put me on a real BP medicine. He put me on Losartan. No problems so far.

[MLGallays]

I’ve been taking metoprolol (100mg) for about 2 years, and it seems to regulate my blood pressure from spiking. I take some other medications that characteristically have as possible side effects weariness and sleepiness during the day as does metoprolol, so I can’t really tell which is the biggest culprit.

[cuore]

My ridiculous GP , now retired, prescribed Metoprolol when I was first diagnosed. It made my AF worse and gave me heart palpitations which I never had before. I will never take the drug again.

[ChadL]

I take 2 Flecainide and 1/2 a Metoprolol 2x a day for my Atrial Tachycardia.. Started in January and had the worst side effects from the Metoprolol, vision issues, dizziness, heart palps.. I take my dose with food now and that has helped tremendously and I drink lots and lots of water. Feel better soon.

[Neilor73]

Hi, only just seen this so sorry for the late reply. I was prescribed this last year after I was found allergic to bisoprolol. It has worked with no side effects for me. So much so that when I went away for a long weekend this past weekend I didn't worry when I forgot my tablets (I know - stupid of me but I'd kidded myself that I'm over my heart failure). I was fine Thursday and Friday but on Saturday I took the dog for a walk and felt awful. I used my watch to perform an ECG and I was back in atrial fibrillation.

Fortunately, 101 arranged an emergency prescription and after taking the tablets I am back in NSR.

I won't make the mistake of not taking my medicines again. I was previously in permanent Fast Afib and thought my stupidity had sent me back there.

My experience is only good and I'm glad my consultant prescribed it.

Best of luck with your decision.

Neil