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.

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mrsilver | @mrsilver | Mar 31, 2022

In reply to @sueinmn "Can you tell me why the metoprolol was prescribed in the first place? BP or heart..." + (show)

Hello to you. I too have been having unwanted side effects from the metoprolol which most ppl in here seem to be describing and I also have been concerned about weaning off. I was told the reason for the prescription was because a CAC should a fair amount of plaque build up in my LAD and the medicine would help slow my heart rate in case some of the plaque were to break loose. I was only taking 25mg's to begin with and I have been taking half a pill now for several months and the last week I've been taking half of a half. It seems ridiculous writing it out lol....but I just don't know for sure how long you are supposed to safely reduce for. I go to see my cardiologist in a week actually anyway but I really want to quit this medication asap. Ever since I started this and the statin a year ago its literally been the worst year of my life. And I had no symptoms before I started these pills or was even diagnosed. I just asked my doctor during a routine visit since I'm in my 50's and have diabetes and have been struggling with cholesterol should I maybe have a CAC and he said sure. I passed all the other tests stress, echo cardio, ultra sounds etc...anyway. Thank you.

dprest56 | @dprest56 | Apr 16, 2022

I was in the hospital for five weeks after getting Covid. I had Covid pneumonia and was on a ventilator two weeks then on a high flow a bit then switched to a lower oxygen supplement. I was also diagnosed as having a heart attack. That diagnosis was made because of a high amount of protein released by my heart while in emergency before being admitted into the hospital. To make a long story short, three months later I have weened off the oxygen but have remained on taking Metoprolol ER 25mg once a day. Like many others on this blog I too have suffered with most of these side effect. I was told that you weren't supposed to split these pills in half because they were extended release. So I started to skip a day and take one every other day for a week and now I'm on day two of not taking Metoprolol at all. My blood pressure is very good and my heart rate is in the mid 70's. My head is starting to clear and my attitude about life is much better.

dprest56 | @dprest56 | Apr 17, 2022

In reply to @atorgers "I was on metoprolol Er 25 mg for about 3 months. My ep then lowered it..." + (show)

I've been on Metoprolol ER for about 4 months. The hospital started me off at 50 mg December 1st then the cardiologist lowered the dose about 7 weeks ago to 25 mg. I started weening off April 10th. I've been taking one every other day. My last dose was on the 14th. I've noticed my heart rate is high when I stand and walk about the house at first but today everything is coming into range. I told my doctor about all the side effects I was experiencing from this drug but he didn't seem to believe me. I'm hoping after one week without Metoprolol I will be back to normal. Note: I have been walking a mile and a half every day for two months which I think helps.

junqdawg | @junqdawg | Apr 18, 2022

In reply to @mrsilver "Hello to you. I too have been having unwanted side effects from the metoprolol which most..." + (show)

Hello .. About Metroprolol....... Exactly "WHAT " SIDE Affects are you talking about experiencing ? I have just finished one month of ONE 25Mg tab a day .Supposedly for my BP . Was told to be certain and stay on IT up to the day of My EBlation Procedure on 25th of April . But I ca't say I have had any crazy side affects so far . Maybe I have and don't realize it . or maybe the Low Dosage . Any info appreciated . Thank you .. JUNQDAWG

markdeegan | @markdeegan | Apr 19, 2022

In reply to @junqdawg "Hello .. About Metroprolol....... Exactly "WHAT " SIDE Affects are you talking about experiencing ? I..." + (show)

Your not on a largevamount. Notify DR especially before ablation. You would wean off it gradually

dprest56 | @dprest56 | Apr 19, 2022

In reply to @junqdawg "Hello .. About Metroprolol....... Exactly "WHAT " SIDE Affects are you talking about experiencing ? I..." + (show)

The side effects I experienced were confusion, dizziness when standing or bending over to pick something up, memory loss, lack of interest, stomach pain (when I would press in different areas), feeling tired all the time, feeling of hopelessness. I've been off it for 5 days and finally these side effects are going away. The side effects come on slowly as this medication builds up in your system. I started on 50 mg for 3 months then 25 mg for 2 months.

junqdawg | @junqdawg | Apr 20, 2022

In reply to @markdeegan "Your not on a largevamount. Notify DR especially before ablation. You would wean off it gradually" + (show)

MY DR. Knows I'm on Metroprolol and told me be CERTAIN TO TAKE MY DOSAGE BEFORE THE PROCEDURE OF EBLATION > BUT STAY OFF ELOQUIS FOR TWO FULL DAYS BEFORE THE PROCEDURE > Does NOT sound right to me BUT I GOT IT IN WRITING IN MY ORDERS TO FOLLOW BEFORE PROCEDURE . Was told Metroprolol keeps my B/P Correct and if my B/P is not in the right range he can't do procedure on that day . I;m confused to say the LEAST . JUNQDAWG

markdeegan | @markdeegan | Apr 20, 2022

In reply to @junqdawg "MY DR. Knows I'm on Metroprolol and told me be CERTAIN TO TAKE MY DOSAGE BEFORE..." + (show)

Eloquis is a blood thinner. The Dr wants you off that so you dont bleed to death...

erodla | @erodla | May 21, 2022

Hi, I have been on metoprolol 25 mg twice daily for a period of 3 months, due to high heart rate and heart palpitations during corona. I have now received a clear signal from the superior that I no longer need this medicine and can stop them. Due to the low dose, the doctor said that I could stop immediatly, but I am skeptical about this. How did you stop taking this medicine and did you get any side effects when you stopped? Thank you for your answers and advice.

bobbyd1017 | @becky1024 | May 21, 2022

In reply to @erodla "Hi, I have been on metoprolol 25 mg twice daily for a period of 3 months,..." + (show)

I’ve been on and off it several times using this dosage stoppage. From 50mgs daily, I went to 25mgs in the morning and 25mgs evening. I went down to 25mgs in the morning only, always with food for a full week, to see if there was any after effects. From the 25mgs daily, I skipped to 3 times a week, like M/W/F for a full week. That way you give your body two full weeks to adjust. Since Metoprolol is an adrenaline inhibitor, it slows up the production of adrenaline. The chemical that makes you flinch when a surprise triggered the reaction. Without Metoprolol, the only after affect was to flinch each time something happened to startled me.

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