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.

mc4777 | @mc4777 | Dec 15, 2018

In reply to @glr702 "Thank you for replying. Those are the symptoms I had while on the medication. Just wanted..." + (show)

Thank you Both for listing your side effects. I am on Metropolol
50 mg now cut to 25 mg 1 day then stopped cold turkey as per my Dr. and I was having at least 3/4 of the symptoms you both mentioned. Plus low heart rate, crazy palpitations. It’s only been 2 days so at least I have hope these symptoms will slowly subside. Dr. Switched me over to calan sr 120 mg for my blood presure and to help with palpitations. Plus a small dose of Xanax as needed for anxiety.
I noticed
terrible gas,
loose stools,
nightmares,
Dizziness turning over in my sleep caused the room spinning,
Losing weight
Low heart rate 45
Bp low 100/65
Dry mouth
Difficult breathing
Fatigue
Heart palpitations
Anxiety
Depression
hair loss
I am so glad to hear that these will subside slowly.
Thank you for giving me insight and hope. This is terrifying to go through alone!
They should add all these symptoms to the RX pamphlet!

Jamie Olson | @jamienolson | Nov 24, 2018

@glr702 and @cardae19- Hello and Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thank you for posting.

@cardae19, are you also weaning off? if so, how far are you into the process? is there anything that you have noticed that helps to subside some of the symptoms that would be helpful to other members in the group?

cardae19 | @cardae19 | Nov 24, 2018

In reply to @glr702 "Hello, I took propranolol 10mg 4 times a day for a week. Had horrible side effects,..." + (show)

@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

Jump to this post

I have all of the same side effects

glr702 | @glr702 | Nov 23, 2018

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @glr702, you'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion about weaning off..." + (show)

Thank you for replying. Those are the symptoms I had while on the medication. Just wanted to list them in case it can help someone. Right now I still have some palpitations, some anxiety, some hand tremors, it seems like the tachycardia is getting better (at least today), some dizziness and weakness and some chest tightness. I feel much better than when I was on the medication, that’s for sure, so hopefully I will keep getting better. Just wanted to know if anyone had any input on how long it usually takes for the remaining side effects to go away.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 23, 2018

Hi @glr702, you'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion about weaning off metoprolol. I did this to connect you with others talking about side effects and managing them. You mentioned that you tapered off the drug and have now been off it for 6 days. That is a lot of remaining side effects. Have you talked to your cardiologist about the persistent adverse effects?

glr702 | @glr702 | Nov 23, 2018

glr702 | @glr702 | Nov 22, 2018

In reply to @kenny48 "Ok, took my half dose for two days, today I'm supposed to stop entirely. I am..." + (show)

Hello Kenny48. Don’t know if you still follow this thread, but if you do I would really appreciate it if you could tell me how long did the weakness and palpitations last after weaning off Metoprolol? It’s my 6th day and still feeling them. Thanks a lot.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 17, 2018

I'm glad to hear the you will be following up with your doctor next week, @kancha.

If you are comfortable doing so, please post an update and let me know if your doctor offers you any other medication suggestions.

kancha | @kancha | Oct 16, 2018

In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @kancha I'm under the impression that your doctor suggested the elimination of this med, is..." + (show)

Thanks for your reply. Yes I do monitor my BP at home. I have an appointment with my Doctor only next week.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Oct 16, 2018

In reply to @kancha "Hi, I was discovered Aflib last year. Have no high blood pressure, no diabetic. I was..." + (show)

Hello @kancha
I'm under the impression that your doctor suggested the elimination of this med, is that correct? When I took metoprolol I had a lot of side effects as well. I was only taking 25 mg, though. My cardiologist substituted Atenolol and I felt much better. I do not take it at bedtime, but at noon which works much better for me.

As I have heart valve problems I take two different BP meds. One is an ACE inhibitor which is a marvelous drug to strengthen the heart's functioning and then the Atenolol, a beta blocker which keeps the heart rate from racing.

Have you reported the light dizziness to your doctor? Do you monitor your BP at home?

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