Metoprolol

[drmind]

I just found out that Metoprolol may be responsible for the recent onset of my severe insomnia and overactive bladder. I'll be seeing my nephrologist in a week and would like to have him prescribe something other than this beta blocker. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what alternatives I could use. Thanks for any thoughts on this issue.

[orangecity41 NKF Ambassador]

I wonder if different drug manufactures could make a difference. Preferred verse generic

[drmind in reply to orangecity41]

I doubt if using the brand would make a difference as its likely because the drugs belong to the beta blocker category. But, I'll certainly ask the doctor what he thinks next week. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

Is there a reason why they went with that drug? I had a horrible reaction to Metoprolol. Blew me up like a balloon, couldn't breathe. It was terrible. Have you gone down the ARB inhibitors.... like irbesartan ? Supposed to be kidney protective.

mayoclinic.org/diseases-con...

[drmind in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thanks for your suggestion; however, irbesartan seems to have a lot of side effects and including several regarding bladder issues I also saw a few comments that it may not be kidney friendly. Still, I guess that could be said of most medications. But, I will bring it up to my new nephrologist in a week and get his thoughts on it. I am so sad to lose my kind caring nephrologist who went off to do volunteer work out of state. Hopefully, one of his partners will be as helpful as he was.

Thanks again for taking the time for sharing. It always means a lot to hear from others and get some support

[PecanSandie]

I take Metoprolol (75 mg daily). I don't know if this can be considered insomnia; most nights have to get up at 4 am to pee and can't get back to sleep, but I never attributed this to the drug. I mostly get around 4 hours sleep a night.

[drmind in reply to PecanSandie]

Who knows if metoprolol is contributing to your middle of the night insomnia. I suspect it's contributing to mine. Without melatonin I dont fall asleep until 1:00 or 2:00 am and then once I get up to go to the bathroom 3x to 4x, I cant fall back to sleep. Even with melatonin I only get 4 hrs sleep some nights. Before metoprolol I was getting my usual 7 hrs a night and happy with it. I'm hoping a medication change will help.

Of course all these problems I have could very likely be age, CKD, or meds or a combination.

Anyway, thanks a bunch for sharing and I hope you get your sleep issues solved soon. There's nothing like a good nights sleep to make you ready to take on the day.💤😴

[Silkdog]

I have been taking Metoprolol (25mg daily) for several months now. During the first few weeks, I experienced the side effects of blurred vision, dizziness and also unusual tiredness and weakness. Then all side effects were gone and I have no problem taking it anymore. I also take Amlodipine (10mg) and my blood pressure has been under control. Amlodipine has much less side effects, so you might ask your nephrologist about it.

[Salvatore68 in reply to Silkdog]

Did your blood pressure go too low when u started taking metoprolol ?

[Silkdog in reply to Salvatore68]

Hello Salvatore68,

No, it didn't. It went down slowly and then went to the normal level.

[drmind]

Thank you so much for sharing you experience. I have been on 50 mg metoprolol for almost a year ( 25 mg twice a day) for almost a year. Both insomnia and overactive bladder started with the onset of metoprolol(I recall) and has increased in intensity since then.

The Amlodipine which I took a few years ago caused extremely swollen ankles and legs which incidentally it is known to do.

You are soo fortunate to be able to tolerate these meds and enjoy their benefits. We are all so different. BTW I have always had problems with side effects and friends often said it's my middle name!

Anyway, I'm still trying to solve these problems and will consult with the doctor next week and see what he says about all these suggestions.

Thanks again

[Salvatore68 in reply to drmind]

I had swelling on 10 mg amLpine-now take 5 mg

Did your blood pressure go too low when u started taking metoprolol ?

[drmind in reply to Salvatore68]

no, bp didn't go down, but heart did. its normal now.

[horsie63]

If it's a beta blocker and you are looking at others, I take Carvederol (Coreg) and haven't had any issues with it. I'm small so I'm only on 3.125 once a day.

[drmind in reply to horsie63]

Thanks for sharing about Coreg, but it also supposed to cause insomnia. I'm quoting this;

"Beta blockers are a large group of medications that are often used for high blood pressure and other heart conditions. Top examples are metoprolol succinate (Toprol XL), carvedilol (Coreg), and propranolol. However, they can cause side effects — including sleep disturbances like insomnia and nightmares.Nov 2, 2022

goodrx.com › insomnia

9 Medications That Can Cause Insomnia - GoodRx"

Yikes, I'm beginning to think that I need to just forget about changing my meds and just accept the side effects.

When I dont sleep, I read alot. So, its not that bad. I'm up on all the world news if anyone wants to know anything. 😜😴

[horsie63 in reply to drmind]

I might be an exception to that...been taking Coreg since 2014 and haven't had any issues but I take a very low dose so maybe that is why. The reading bit is usually what helps me drop off...right now I'm slogging through the Handbook of Kidney Transplantation. They type is small and it's somewhat "medically".

[drmind in reply to horsie63]

We are all so different while also having a lot of commonalities. Even though you only take a small dose, its likely that it's all you need. I'm amazed at all the different reactions people get to Amlodipine! Thank goodness for this forum where we can share and get support and information for whatever our problems are.

Keep reading that Handbook and I hope the transplant comes through to you soon. I know what you mean about "medically" as once my reading gets too technical, I start nodding. It beats melatonin! 💤

Have a great day.

[S_dillow]

metropolol over aa period of years and my pcp not catching it in time were responsible for my ckd

[drmind]

Thanks for sharing this information.