Metoprolol Tablets

What special precautions should I follow?

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to metoprolol, acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin, in Tenoretic), betaxolol, bisoprolol (Zebeta, in Ziac), carvedilol (Coreg, Coreg CR), esmolol (Brevibloc), labetalol, nadolol (Corgard, in Corzide), pindolol, propranolol (Inderal, Inderal LA, Innopran XL, in Inderide), sotalol (Betapace, Betapace AF, Sorine), timolol, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in metoprolol tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: bupropion (Aplenzin, Forfivo, Wellbutrin, Zyban), cimetidine, clonidine (Catapres), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Selfemra, in Symbyax), hydroxychloroquine, paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil, Pexeva), propafenone (Rythmol), quinidine, ranitidine (Zantac), reserpine, ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra), terbinafine (Lamisil), and thioridazine. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have a slow heart rate, heart failure, problems with blood circulation, or pheochromocytoma (a tumor that develops on a gland near the kidneys and may cause high blood pressure and fast heartbeat). Your doctor may tell you not to take metoprolol.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma or other lung diseases; heart or liver disease; diabetes; severe allergies; or hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland).
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking metoprolol, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking metoprolol.
• you should know that metoprolol may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
• remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication.
• you should know that if you have allergic reactions to different substances, your reactions may be worse while you are using metoprolol, and your allergic reactions may not respond to the usual doses of injectable epinephrine.

What side effects can this medication cause?
Metoprolol may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• dizziness or lightheadedness
• tiredness
• depression
• nausea
• dry mouth
• stomach pain
• vomiting
• gas or bloating
• heartburn
• constipation
• rash or itching
• cold hands and feet
• runny nose

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately :

• shortness of breath
• wheezing
• swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• weight gain
• fainting
• rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat