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How did you wean off Metoprolol?
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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Happy 4th to all!
One clarification to my earlier post on weaning off a beta blocker: If you're on a time-release or extended release tablet (of any kind), DO NOT cut the tablet. These meds are not intended to be cut.
To wean off extended-release tabs properly, you would just reduce the number you take daily.
NOTE: It's always a good idea to discuss in advance your wanting to reduce, or wean off, a med with your prescribing doctors. AND always report back to them promptly any negative symptoms that arise thereafter.
Communications help keep us safe.
/LarryG
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1 ReactionPlease help!
I was on 50mg of the extended release for 7 years or so. I take this for SVT, high HR and palpitations. Recently I reduced my caffeine intake and my HR was dipping to the low 40s at night, but I still had very high spikes during the day. I was seen in a urgent care last Wednesday for low blood pressure and the doctor told me not to take my dose that night and call my primary in the morning. I woke up Thursday morning with insane chest pain and a blood pressure of 180/99. I couldn’t get my BP down, even after I took my dose so I went to the ER. I was told that you never go cold turkey on this stuff without physically consequences. He said that I need to cut my dose down to 25mg daily. I started this Friday and have been feeling off. I have chest pain, blood pressure spikes, HR spikes and a general feeling of sickness. But my HR isn’t going under 60 during sleep. How long will it take my body to adjust to these changes? I am an anxious person who is literally afraid this could kill me. Any additional information or advice or stories of hope would be wonderful.
Thank you!
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Margaret -- Good morning.
When I stopped my beta blocker several years ago, I cut the dose in half for a week to see how I would react to it. Then cut it in half again the following week, and then stopped it after that.
This was a conservative way to discontinue the med.
NOTE: I literally had to cut the tablet to accomplish the above.
Good luck!
/LarryG
Has anyone quite taking? My Dr said just quite taking it. No weening? He just said stop taking!
How do I ween myself off of this drug Toprol
@cblatch001 -- Hi. Best thing to do is contact the prescribing doc. Your history, diagnostics and other health info is vital to how to proceed. From your post, this MD will likely have your most recent records, and may be in the best position to ascertain how to move forward with your care.
All the best!
/LarryG
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1 ReactionI’ve been taking Metoprolol for a few years and got as high as 75mg. I recently was changed to Micardis. Should I continue to take/wean down the Metoprolol while starting the new BP med(Micardis)?? I have been experiencing palpitations, fatigue, feeling jittery and very anxious. Thank you.
Hi, Kenny. If you're taking the beta blocker only for Afib rate control, and your current BPMs are pretty low, weaning off it is certainly reasonable. Cutting your dose in half for a week, and seeing how that works is what I would've done. And if OK, then cutting that in half again for another week, and if all is well, then stopping it altogether. I would've checked this procedure with my EP beforehand, of course. (I'm presuming you have an accurate way to obtain heart rate readings.)
Been taking BBs for over 20 years and have cut my dosage over time... think I started at 50 mg / day. Eight years ago or so, I went down to 12.5 mg / day. Four months back, I increased it to 25 mg / day. My EP is totally fine with me taking readings at home and adjusting my own doses based on my experienced BPMs. (NOTE: I'm a licensed RN, and used to work in an ICU years back.)
Good luck. Hope things improve for you!
/LarryG
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1 Reaction@erodla, I moved your question about weaning off metoprolol 25 mg twice daily to this existing discussion:
- How did you wean off Metoprolol? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/weaning-off-metoprolol/
I did this so you can easily connect with fellow members like @becky1024 @markdeegan @dprest56 @mrsilver @dalous @sueinmn and others. Click the link above to read past posts.
@erodla, You're right to ask questions. The FDA warns "Don’t stop taking metoprolol suddenly. If you do, you may experience worse chest pain, a jump in blood pressure, or even have a heart attack. Stopping metoprolol is not recommended. If you need to stop taking the drug, first talk to your doctor. Your dosage should be gradually decreased under a doctor’s supervision."
I suggest you tell your doctor about your concerns. It is possible that because your dosage is low enough, the period you were taking the drug was short enough and your condition is stablized that you are okay to stop. But I think it's worth sharing your concern.
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