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.

Soliloquized | @soliloquized | Jun 7, 2019

In reply to @lbryant "I was prescribed metoprolol, years ago at least 15, due to pvc's. Which at the time..." + (show)

What is a Fast Heart Beat, what rate are you talking about.

Soliloquized | @soliloquized | Jun 7, 2019

In reply to @sayaboleh "I've been on metoprolol for more than 10 years but it has always been made clear..." + (show)

I'm on Metoprolol Succinate 200 mg in the morning, Metoprolol Tartrate 25 mg in the afternoon, and Metoprolol Succinate 150 mg at night. I'm not experiencing these symptoms that others profess. I'm also on Coumadin, Phenytoin, Zocor, Xyzal, Singulair, Ranitidine, Maxzide, and Vitamin D3.

Yes, certain drugs can, by themselves, or in combination with other drugs, cause some people to experience symptoms that others don't., including tiredness, but so can the issues we're taking the drugs for.

I'm concerned that many read this thread and think Metoprolol cessation is the answer for tiredness, that may not be the case, and those of us taking it should not be discontinuing it without our doctor's advice and supervision.

I get tired from Ibuprofin, significantly, but if I took it every day (not a good idea, but for example) eventually I'd expect that tiredness to subside. The same may happen with Metoprolol, and that noticeable tiredness that some may feel when first put on it should largely subside.

sue225 | @sue225 | Jun 7, 2019

In reply to @sayaboleh "I've been on metoprolol for more than 10 years but it has always been made clear..." + (show)

I am on a low dose of metoprolol (12.5mg x2). When I first started taking it, (for an arrythmia) I experienced sleepiness, low b.p. and a slow pulse. I felt like a hibernating bear. Eventually that all disappeared and I dont notice anything anymore.

sayaboleh | @sayaboleh | Jun 7, 2019

I've been on metoprolol for more than 10 years but it has always been made clear to me why. Metoprolol is a beta blocker and can be prescribed for high blood pressure so it is a surprise to learn that it can actually raise BP for some? For the most part though it is quite often used for rate control when your heart rate is on the high side and you are prone to PVCs -- extra beats etc. That said I am not a medical professional and probably not explaining this well or thoroughly. Taking metoprolol has not been an issue for me as I am very sensitive to it and take an extremely low dose. I started out at only 12.5 mg daily and only recently went up to 25 mg. At those doses it is probably not causing the usual problems like sluggishness, low energy, brain fog... I would never adjust my dosage either way without consulting with the doctor who prescribed it or the EP who is managing my care. However, I would definitely be concerned if I was taking a high dose (that is subjective of course) and was experiencing symptoms. Even so, do discuss with the doctor as it is never a good idea to suddenly increase or decrease medication on your own.

sue225 | @sue225 | Jun 6, 2019

In reply to @lbryant "I was prescribed metoprolol, years ago at least 15, due to pvc's. Which at the time..." + (show)

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

lbryant | @lbryant | Jun 6, 2019

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?

1943 | @1943 | May 31, 2019

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.

AFRobin | @afrobin | May 30, 2019

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.

sue225 | @sue225 | May 30, 2019

In reply to @sanman "I was on metoprolol 200mg .The reason for this high dose was never discussed with me..." + (show)

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).

sanman | @sanman | May 30, 2019

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,

View More View Less

Please sign in or register to post a reply.