Comments about Metropolol

[Prettywoman15]

I don’t read much mentioned about Metropolol. I have been prescribed Eliquis and Metropolol for AFib and wonder why the majority of afibers are not taking this combination. I would love to read comments about especially the drug Metropolol! And why do I read the mention of some wanting to get off Eliquis ? My first AFib episode I had a TIA along with AFib. I’m afraid not to take Eliquis. Just hoping for some comments

[BobsBeat]

An anticoagulant like Eliquis/Apixaban is a given with AFib, especially if your Chad/Vasc score warrants it and especially if you've had a prior TIA. There are procedures like inserting a watchman device or clipping the LAA to remove the possibility of needing an anticoagulant, but there are pros and cons to everything that is considered. The main reason most people want off this drug is the bleed risk.

Metoprolol is in the beta blocker family and is used to keep your heartrate down (ideally between 60 - 100 when at rest). Some folks don't have high rate AFib, so the need for a beta blocker is questionable. Metoprolol can also help with high blood pressure and allowing the heart to rest/heal in various heart diseases. There are also other beta blockers (bisoprolol, etc.) and calcium channel blockers that can be used in place of Metoprolol. I think it depends on your exact condition, your doctor and maybe what location you're in as to the preference med for rate control.

[Prettywoman15 in reply to BobsBeat]

Thx for the information. If it was explained to me I certainly don’t remember

[mjames1]

Doctors in the same region tend to prescribe the same beta blocker. For example, in the US, it's metoprolol. In the UK, it's bisoprolol. You probably see bisoprolol mentioned more, because most members of this forum are from the UK. Both beta blockers basically do the same thing.

Eliquis is a NOAC (thinner). Either you should be on one or not. That's a decision for you and your doctor. Nothing I've read here or elsewhere suggests Eliquis is inferior to any other thinner. If that was the case I wouldn't be on it.

Jim

[Prettywoman15 in reply to mjames1]

I thank you very much. That explains that! Glad I asked!

[Hydroplane]

I am currently on channel blocker• DilTIAZem (Eqv-Tiazac) 180 mg/24 hours oral capsule, extended release and elquis 5 mg twice a day. Diltiazem time release has been far better for me than the Metropol on was on. But each person should rely on their doctor. One thing, stand up for yourself right away and report side effects, ask if you can take something else if you get them. I waited far too long. By the way both meds were effective in treating my AF and I have avoided any procedures for 2 years well being in relative comfort and activity. Wishing you the best.

[beach_bum in reply to Hydroplane]

Ditto…metoprolol (a beta blocker) was initially prescribed for me, and was horrific.I felt dragged out and exhausted from the get-go…quickly switched to diltiazem (channel blocker) and combined with xeralto, both once a day, life is good 🙂

Always ask ask ask. Beta blockers perform quite differently than channel blockers.

[Ppiman]

From what I have read, medical schools and authorities in different countries seem to prefer somewhat different beta-blockers. In the USA, metoprolol is preferred, in the UK, bisoprolol. I gather in Australia and New Zealand it is likely to be nebivolol.

It seems that they are all basically similar. Bisoprolol has the benefit of having a relatively longer half-life that allows for convenient once daily dosing. Also, if the drug needs to be stopped, the half-life allows the heart more chance to recover from its changed environment more safely and quickly.

Steve

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

HiMetropolol is banned from my list of meds. I didnt want it from the start,

I had it in 2008 it made me breathless.

I had to adhere to the NZ regime until I asked for a heart specialist. No follow up after a stroke!

She said in NZ give it as first entry but Bisoprolol does not interfere with breathing and I was changed.

However still not CONTROLLING my rate from 186 to 156 avge day and 47 avge night in Dec I went to a PRIVATE HEART SPECIALIST tried me on CCB Diltiazem. 1/2 dosage.

I dropped more than 100 within 2 hours.

Within days I was balanced on Diltiazem 120mg am and 2.5mg Bisoprolol night.

I have AF due to undiagnosed thyroid cancer which I experienced a Embollic Stroke in 2019.

Low doses of Metroprolol may be OK but Drs are inclined to raise it to get control of rapid heart beat. I had pauses of 2 second on Metroprolol too.. And I was tired with no energy.

cherio JOY NZ 73

[DawnTX]

Hi. I have been on Xarelto, Metropolol and Multaq. I am coming off all but the Xarelto because I am NSR now. I am not in a hurry to stop Xarelto because I am terrified of having a stroke. No doubt most of us wish to stop our meds because it is a sign of afib being controlled by a procedure rather than constant meds with side effects. If you have not injured yourself then you have not seen what blood thinner can cause however I will take it over having a stroke anytime.

[Auriculaire]

Some people have bad side effects on Apixaban. I find it makes my joint and muscle pain far worse. You are then condemned to live every day of your life feeling crap because of pain in order to prevent a stroke which might never happen.

[MissTia123]

I am in Australia and I am on Flecanaide and Metoprolol and Riverroxaban . It was explained to me that Metoprolol takes the heart rate down and Flecanaide controls the rhythm. I take Riverroxaban or Xralto as well as To prevent strokes. Metoprolol was hard at first. I found it slowed me down and left me breathless and dizzy, so I played with the time of day I take it, evening now after dinner. I only take 12.5 mg quarter of a tablet. I also found that taking my tablets too late in the evening causes insomnia and I wake in the night (from 130-330am) I would be awake and then anxiously trying to sleep causing me more issues. I only discovered this with research on side effects, why do Drs never tell you this stuff!! Any ways Metoprolol is best taken when you are not trying to live a normal daily life is my experience. I started off on one tablet and have gradually reduced it down as much as I can over the last three years with Dr supervision. Hope this info helps you!

[TM93]

We are all different but I am on Eliquis and 25 mg of metoprolol a day and it keeps my AFIB under control. (At least for the present) In the beginning it made me a little tired, but no longer and I have no other bad side effects. I think it is probably one of the safer beta blockers. It has been around a long time. I will say the PA prescribed 50 mg a day, but I tried 25 and that does it. My experience is that they tend to over prescribe.

I realized that my episodes would happen almost always in the late afternoon early evening when I am tired and often in pain from another issue. So I started taking the medication at that time of day and so far it is working. You will figure out what works for you. Best of luck.

[Prettywoman15 in reply to TM93]

Thanks to everone for taking time to answer my post. I’m learning many things from this group. Love you

[seasicksurf]

I’m on metoprolol succinate, which is the slow release, once a day type. Metoprolol tartrate is used for more immediate effects though doesn’t last as long in your system. I used the tartrate version as part of a PIP regimen when I was being treated for paroxysmal AF (along with flecainide). My electrophysiologist has me on metoprolol succinate since my ablation last year. He tells me it keeps the heartbeat in check from the body’s adrenaline response to stress (fight or flight response). As mentioned above by someone else, it can give you a breathlessness feeling. I don’t like it but it does keep your heart from racing away, which for some can be an AF trigger.

[Prettywoman15 in reply to seasicksurf]

Thank you very much. I do get the breathlessness

[jeanjeannie50]

I'm in the U.K. and alongside Flecainide twice daily, I take 12.5mg of Metoprolol Tartrate.

Metoprolol is quite a strong drug and once when in hospital and my heart rate wouldn't lower I was given 2 x 50mg one evening. Next morning I got out of bed and collapsed. Later my cardiologist came rushing to me with a long stream of paper, saying look what your heart has been doing! Well that stream of paper meant nothing to me and I only had a quick glimpse of it. From that time onwards I've been told I must never have more than 25mg or it could kill me. I once remember my GP saying that he didn't know why they made those tablets so strong.

Jean

[Prettywoman15 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Wow. Thx for that information!!!

[GuyDora]

When I was diagnosed with Viral Cardiomyopathy, they started me on Metoprolol 12.5 mg., and I had terrible side effects, immediately. Three months later, I had my 1st Afib, episode. I lost a ton of weight, couldn’t concentrate, had stomach upset, had insomnia, made me anxious, and pretty foggy. I would have Atrial fibrillation with high heart rate, every three months. The doctor switched me to Diltiazem 120 mg, and it was like night and day. Everybody has different experiences with meds, but I had never been on any, before. I often wondered if it was actually the Metoprolol that caused my Afib. It would bring my heart rate down into the low 40’s. My cardiologist said that could be a trigger for some people.

[Prettywoman15 in reply to GuyDora]

I’m thinking of discussing a change within AFib specialist. I wiped out most of the time

[swimminglove]

Hi PW15

Ive had permanent Afib/flutter since 2020. Tried various drug combos and nothing worked.

Many cardioversions later and my 3rd ablation once again failing at 6 months mark (mid May) I showed up at the ER with HR yo yoing between 130-160.

They gave me metoprolol and a magnesium drip. Next morning a cardioversion. It worked for a week. Back in ER. Same rigmarole. But they sent me home with extra metoprolol until I could see my cardiologist.

3 days later I was still in AFib but my heartrate was down to 95 and remained there till I saw my cardiologist 2 weeks later.

He HAD said to me before the 3rd failed ablation that another would not be on the cards. So at the appt I elected to stay on metoprolol because it wasnt too bad and in my mind better than the final solution of pace and ablate.

But then he said, lets switch you onto sotalol because I will allow another ablation and S is similar to M but better if youre having an ablation.

Immediately I switched to S my HR went back up and its stayed up (2 weeks).

Im having a scheduled cardioversion in 10 days. If the cardioversion fails or the HR doesnt go down im going to ask my cardiologist to let me go back on metoprolol.

95 HR just controlled by M was a unique little resting space for my never controllable AF. And better for a while than facing a fourth ablation and certainly better (in my mind) than pace and ablate.

For me, Metropol was a drug up in lights🌟

Good luck! (all based on my exp only)