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.

Hi! New to this site. I have PSVT paroxomal Supra ventricular tachycardia. Had since I was 12. Had heart ablation at 44. Ablation caused PVCs and PACs but heart rate normal. I am a Physical Therapist a d have been vaccinated Pfizer. After 1st vaccine heart rate increased in 100s. 2nd vaccine HR 133bpm ended up in ER. ER MD reports that I am 553rd patient he has seen with waking up out of sleep with h racing HR. Went to new Cardiologist .as my regular one was no longer covered under my plan. New cardiologist did pre and post nuclear study of my heart and found nothing, no blockages and put me on 25 mg metoprolol twice a day and verapamil 120 mg. Took this metoprolol 25 mg twice a day with Verapamil 120 mg for 1 year. My hair started falling out, memory loss etc but heart rate under control. I am now being Weened off metoprolol from twice a day to once a day snd verapamil increased 240 mg and I am to do this for 2 weeks. Then ween to 12.5 mg metoprolol for two weeks then discontinue metoprolol. Just woke up snd HR 46-52 bpm. Prob due to increase of verapamil. Will be calling cardiologist today. Would welcome feedback and/or questions. I am only day 3 of initiating weening process. Thank you! God. Less!

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Welcome to Mayo Connect, a community of people living with a wide variety of diseases and conditions, who support each other along the way. We try to be informed medical consumers, and our own best advocates in our care. We are not medical professionals, so not able to provide medical advice. We can tell you what has worked for us (or not) and provide you with information and conversation about your questions.

Those sound like some serious issues from such a widely used medication how soon did they begin? What does your doctor have to say? Do you have a new blood pressure med?

I hope the symptoms subside soon.
Sue

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@cbeck101

Hi.

I've been off of metoprolol Tartrate 25mg for ten days because of the long list of side effects that were effecting me including destroying my GI tract. Still feeling some side effects including tachycardia heart rate keeps bouncing between low 50s to mid 80s. I've lost 22 pounds in the past eight weeks due to the stomach problems and still getting the palpitations. Constantly feeling cold and have chills. I will continue to monitor. If it doesn't level out I will contact cardiologist. I hate this drug

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I had similar things happen to me after about 3 months of taking Metoprolol tartrate. I lost around 30 pounds in a couple of months from the gastro problems and I had chills while taking it. I have been told to stop taking it now and am worried about side effects. I only take 25 mg split up into 2 doses. I was wondering how you are doing now and how long it took you to feel better after you stopped taking it. Thanks for any input.

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@jovigrace

That's my dose, and I'm have gained 40 lbs in 6 months! My hair is also thinning and my skin looks terrible!

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Hi @jovigrace, I can see you're concerned about the rapid weight gain and other side effects from metroprolol. I think you'll find this article from Mayo Clinic informative:
- Beta blockers: Do they cause weight gain? https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/beta-blockers/faq-20058385

Have you talked to your cardiologist about the weight gain? It is important to distinguish whether this in normal and expected weight gain or possibly problematic like buildup of fluid. It might be a medical issue or perhaps a different beta blocker would work better for you. How long have you been taking metroprolol?

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@topaz1456

I was on 25mg twice a day. While on it, I gained weight and could not get it off. I got out of breath easily. I told my doctor about it and he scheduled a nuclear stress test. The stress test found no problems except leaving my bank account a grand lighter. Not the kind of weight loss I was looking for. So, I quit taking Metropolol cold turkey a week ago. I had no issues. Maybe because I was on a smaller dose. Already, taking three flights of stairs does not leave me winded. I'm bothered by the fact my doctor discounted the side effects. Now to get the weight off.

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That's my dose, and I'm have gained 40 lbs in 6 months! My hair is also thinning and my skin looks terrible!

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@kimlikestofeeln

I weaned off Metroprolol last week. Went from 25 mg once a day to 12.5, took 12.5 mg for 3 days then stopped completely. I am on day 5 of being off and am just starting to feel normal again. I had every side effect everyone else is listing, I couldn't get out of bed, very skaky, felt faint even walking 10 feet, and Terrible anxiety (on the medication). Symptoms Slowly started to subside after day 1 off of Metro. I am so glad to be off this. Worst thing I have ever put in my body.

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I have gained 40 lbs on this medication.

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@kenny48

I was a bit worried because of what I had read online, regarding metoprolol. I was just worried that two days was not enough time. Since they say not to stop it suddenly.

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I was on metoprolol 25 mg once a day for more than a year. Then I was given Tikosyn with this Afib came to sinus nod. But BP went further down. So metoprolol was taken away. Had no side effect.

For last two and half year I did not take it. Last week, with return of Afib after a cardio version my pulse rate started going alarmingly. Then again we started metoprolol one tablet a day.

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@kenny48

Ok, took my half dose for two days, today I'm supposed to stop entirely. I am feeling like a zombie. No get up and go, lightheaded. My BP is higher than it usually is but not thru the roof. 133/84 after doing some deep breathing exercises. Was 140/92 before. Doc said to go to emergency if it goes over 180. But that was the only thing they said to me. They said nothing about feeling like this. Mentioned some people get tachycardia. My heart rate is better than it was before 60,61 BPM but I feel so weak. They said nothing about this. Is this normal? When I asked about the tape off time, they said it's because I was only taking 25mg a day. Said it's a low dose, and I don't have to worry.

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Hello did everything go ok after you got off of it

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Hello @sferrell414 and @jsp1953, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a welcoming online community where patients and caregivers share their experiences, find support and exchange information with others.

@sferrell414, Were you asking @razorclams if they had any updates on Metoprolol?

@jsp1953, Thank you for listing your symptoms and asking if they might be side effects of the Metoprolol Succinate and the recent increase in dosage. @glr702 @razorclams and others may have some thoughts or information to share with you. Are you able to call your doctor or pharmacist and ask about the possible side effects or see if they have any suggestions?

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@glr702

Hello,
I took propranolol 10mg 4 times a day for a week. Had horrible side effects, was switched to metoprolol succinate 25mg once a day for 2 weeks, felt a little better but still many side effects, so I was on them for about 3 weeks only. I tapered down and took the last dose 6 days ago. The first day was horrible, then a little better the second, same on the third. However, I’m still having palpitations, dizziness, head feeling weird, some tachycardia (somewhat less today), weakness. I’m much better than when I was on the medication, that’s for sure. I had almost all of the side effects I could get and even ended up dehydrated in Urgent Care, also got anxiety for the first time in my life which has been horrible. So, my main question is: am I any close to the end of this road? I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to feel like myself again. I was put on this for occasional hypertension and tachycardia, which I believe was caused by stress. I would appreciate it so much if someone could help me with their experience. Thank you so much

I’m listing all the side effects I had with these medications, sorry for the long post:
✔️Blurred vision
✔️chest pain or discomfort
✔️like electrical current in head
✔️tingling, chills like on arms, back and head
✔️confusion
✔️palpitations
✔️dizziness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
✔️hair loss
✔️dry mouth
✔️hot flashes/heat intolerance
✔️sweating
✔️unusual tiredness or weakness
✔️insomnia, nightmares
✔️soft stools
✔️difficult or labored breathing
✔️difficulty with speaking
✔️extreme tiredness or weakness
✔️fast, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
halos around lights
✔️headache
✔️overbright appearance of lights
✔️lose weight
✔️seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
✔️tightness in the chest
✔️tingling of the hands or feet
✔️troubled breathing
✔️continuing loss of appetite that got to the point when only could eat liquids
✔️continuing abdominal pain
✔️continuing nausea
dark urine
✔️difficulty with moving
fever
✔️general tiredness and weakness
✔️hoarseness
✔️increased frequency of urination
✔️muscle pain
✔️sore throat
✔️sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth-white tongue
✔️unpleasant breath odor
✔️weakness
✔️anxiety

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I want to personally thank you for listing your side effects. A little over two years ago I moved from MA to PA and switched cardiologists. I was on Metoprolol Succinate 25mg because I couldn’t tolerate a higher dose. My new primary wanted me to increase to 50mg which I did. I felt fine but with the Covid and not seeing my doctors in over a year I now wonder if my symptoms are actually side effects.

Shortness of Breath
Chills
Weakness
Fatigue
Lower extremity swelling
Numbness in my feet
My feet are red in the morning after sleeping at night
Weird Dreams
So many other symptoms
I have to go for tests Wednesday and then I am going to schedule appointments with both my cardiologist and primary. I basically can’t function when I use to be active. I have a pulse ox and thermometer and ordered a BP monitor this morning. I am actually thinking of doing 25mg every other day and 50 mg on the opposite days times one week then down to 25mg. Appreciate any feedback.

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