How did you wean off Metoprolol?

Posted by kenny48 @kenny48, May 11, 2018

Hi,
I've been taking both flecainide and metoprolol now for eight years, as a prophylactic for Afib. I recently moved to North Carolina and have a new Cardiologist. Have had a lot of PVC's this past two months, and had to wear a heart monitor for an entire month. He said that although I had a lot of PVC's I didn't have even one PAC! He also noted that my BPM was low in the low fifties most of the time. He asked why I was taking metropolol. I told him that the only thing my previous doctor had said was " it makes the flecainide, work better". He suggested I stop taking the metoprolol to see how I do without it. Unfortunately I read a lot of information on the internet. I read that it can be very dangerous to stop taking it. I take 25 mg metoprolol succinate, split in half. Once in the morning with my flecainide, and then again in the evening for a second dose. He wants me to take half in the morning and skip the evening dose for two days, then stop entirely. Has anyone else stopped taking this drug in a similar manner? I'm worried that the cut off is too soon.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

Does anyone experience shortness of breath with afib? Can,t walk across the room without not being able to breathe . Don't know if it's from afi B or side effects from meds? On metoprolol 50 mg twice a day , diltiazem 60mg, twice a day ,digoxin 0.25 mg. Once a day

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@evelyncs

I have been on metoprolol tartrate for quite a few years. I have what they call "burning mouth syndrome" for at least 6 years and have read that metoprolol is one of the blood pressure medications that can cause this. I can' t convince my cardiologist, but want to taper off for a few weeks to see if this is the culprit. I have a-fib and on Eliquis for this. The metoprolol is to keep my heart rate at an acceptable rate. I would like to hear from anyone who has had this burning mouth side efftect and if the metoprolol was the cause. Thanks for any help.

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I had burning mouth syndrome (~2 months) and I decided to try CBD oil. I had about 90% improvement in 1.5 weeks but I can't confirm if CBD oil was the fix. I had to stop CBD as I got a-fib and I was not sure if CBD could cause A-fib. The doc also put me on metaprolol and now I have BMS fully back. I have stopped metaprolol for a week now and started CBD too. No change in symptoms so far ... it's only getting worse. bhavesh

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Hi,everyone I'm new to the group,I have being on metropolol for three years now,I have being tapering the drug for sometime now,I have taken 25mg for two weeks,now I'm taking12.5mg now,it increases my blood Pressure,though after sometime it goes down back to normal,I feel dizzy,pains....my body system has changed......pls if you have had similar effect,share with me, I don't want to go back fully n I'm scared of stopping the drug abruptly.... I consulted my Doctor,he said I should go back to the drug fully......who has similar experience, pls share n advice me,

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@elland77

Hi,everyone I'm new to the group,I have being on metropolol for three years now,I have being tapering the drug for sometime now,I have taken 25mg for two weeks,now I'm taking12.5mg now,it increases my blood Pressure,though after sometime it goes down back to normal,I feel dizzy,pains....my body system has changed......pls if you have had similar effect,share with me, I don't want to go back fully n I'm scared of stopping the drug abruptly.... I consulted my Doctor,he said I should go back to the drug fully......who has similar experience, pls share n advice me,

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Hi @elland77,

First consideration is why and what condition your doctor prescribed Metoprolol. Make sure you consult your doctor because depending on your condition there are other medications a physician can prescribe for your condition.

There are a number of Mayo Clinic bloggers that have experienced the same symptoms and worse including me. You are wise to taper but DO THE REASEARCH ON METOPROLOL so you understand why you feel the way you feel and absolutely can not quit cold turkey.

If you know for sure this drug is making you sick and it's not a combination of other medications or supplements etc. STAND UP TO YOUR DOCTOR no one knows your body better than you do.

I am in a 6 wk taper and by the Grace of God, I can honestly tell you a lot of symptoms are going away or subsiding. Make sure you stay well hydrated and eat a very clean and healthy diet because I know it's what is helping me. God Bless you I hope this helps.

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I was on metoprolol 200mg .The reason for this high dose was never discussed with me and I no longer see this Dr .However due to recent episodes of fatigue and sob I thought maybe it could be related to metoprolol so I decided to wean . I started three days ago at 100mg . No side effects except slight headache .Am I weaning to fast ? I have had my heart checked out 3 months ago EKG,ECHO AND CARDIAC CATH,

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@sanman

I was on metoprolol 200mg .The reason for this high dose was never discussed with me and I no longer see this Dr .However due to recent episodes of fatigue and sob I thought maybe it could be related to metoprolol so I decided to wean . I started three days ago at 100mg . No side effects except slight headache .Am I weaning to fast ? I have had my heart checked out 3 months ago EKG,ECHO AND CARDIAC CATH,

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Good idea to check with family doc. Length of time that you have been on Metoprolol makes a difference. Should find out why it was prescribed. (e.g. arrythmia, high blood pressure).

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If you have Afib, without a beta blocker and/or blood thinner, you could be at risk of a blood clot...which can lead to a stroke or heart attack. I just checked and here is a cut and paste from a site on metoprolol:

'Heart rate slowing, depression, diarrhea, skin rash and shortness of breath. Stopping metoprolol (both tartrate and succinate) suddenly can exacerbate angina and may increase the risk of a heart attack.

Maybe with your doctor's guidance you can lower the dose and see if your heart stays steady. But never stop suddenly and be sure to get your doctor's ok.

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Was shortness of breath one side effect you experienced with metropolol?? Tired constantly and can't breathe with slightest exercise. Told was from afib. But med makes it worse.

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I was prescribed metoprolol, years ago at least 15, due to pvc's. Which at the time wasn't known why I was having them. Few years later I was diagnosed with panic/anxiety. Which I think was the cause of my racing heart. I also take vasotec for high BP. But that is not why I was prescribed metoprolol.
Lately my BP has been running low so I decided on my own to slowly taper off metoprolol. I was on 50mg and have cut down to 25mg that I will maintain for about 2weeks then half it again. I've done this with several meds I've weaned off of. But I have developed a fast heart beat, after a few days at this mg. Is this normal when weaning off this drug?

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@lbryant

I was prescribed metoprolol, years ago at least 15, due to pvc's. Which at the time wasn't known why I was having them. Few years later I was diagnosed with panic/anxiety. Which I think was the cause of my racing heart. I also take vasotec for high BP. But that is not why I was prescribed metoprolol.
Lately my BP has been running low so I decided on my own to slowly taper off metoprolol. I was on 50mg and have cut down to 25mg that I will maintain for about 2weeks then half it again. I've done this with several meds I've weaned off of. But I have developed a fast heart beat, after a few days at this mg. Is this normal when weaning off this drug?

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I'm on metoprolol for a ventricular arrythmia. Yes, the fast heart beat is most likely from the lower dosage. Since you've been on this drug for 15 years, I would see the doctor now for advice before doing any more lowering. You can have serious heart side effects

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