Just wondering if anyone can recount their experience with weaning off metoprolol and if they had any adverse side effects when doing so...
I recently came completely off of the drug after weaning slowly down (started at 50mg, 2x per day, then went to 25mg, 2X per day for two weeks, then down to 25mg, 1X per day for a week). I've been off for three full days now, and have had quite a ride. The first full day I was off, my heart rate went up to over a hundred, and stayed there for most of the day, tapering down in the evening to a cool 80bpm. On the second full day, I had no problems at all, heart rate stayed in the 70-80 range all day. Now, on the third day, my heart rate has gone back up. It's been around 110bpm most of the day again, and now, in the evening, is starting to taper down... right now it's about 94bpm. I had a short instance of lightheadedness today while sitting down, but it lasted all of 20 seconds... so not sure if I can attribute that to this whole ordeal. It's getting fairly uncomfortable.
Here's the main question... I've called my cardiologist, and they want to schedule a halter monitor, which I'm fine with... but I can't get in to see him until four days from now. Is it ok to wait this long? At what point do I cave and go to a hospital?
Please relay any experiences you may have had in a situation like this. I can find a lot about side-effects while taking metoprolol, but not a lot about what happens after properly weaning off the medication. Thanks!
What are the side effects when weaning from Metoprolol?
Question posted by tc1414 on 22 April 2008
Last updated on 23 September 2022 by JNorshack
12 Answers
Was searching for my own answers and ran across this. I had a “supposed” afib occurrence form energy drinks and the PA prescribed 25MG of Metoprolol 2 a day. From day one it’s been hell. Finally seen a real cardiologist and he was shocked that I was even put on it and not a CCB without any real testing. My dose would ware off 10 hours into each dose and my heart went up to 140 BPM for 20-60 minutes. I told my cardio Dr and he immediately took me off it. He stated it was reckless to put me on them with no Holter monitor. My blood panels are good, BP is 132 over 74 and the echo says I’m healthy as can be. My weaning off that small dose has been a nightmare. Walk away from this drug at all costs.
I want to be helpful to answer this question because when my cardiologist put me on this medication I didn't understand the side effects of this medication. I ended up in the ER due to weird chest pain and elevated heart rate 20 days out after covid. So, I consider elevated heart rate and weird PVCs palpitations a symptom of long covid within your first 30 days I suppose. While in hospital I was having a lot of PVCs my chest felt uncomfortable and heart was beating hard ever skipped beat it went up to 145bpm at one point only for a couple of minutes then it went back down and my blood pressure was 140/80 or something. So, after they ruled out a heart attack and checked for blood clot in my lung they said I was technically fine and my blood work was good. So, since I have no history of heart issues and I'm not overweight I'm 38 year old female 150 lbs they just said long covid does weird stuff to the body and interfere with the electrical rhythms of the heart.
They monitored me overnight and started me on 25mg of metoprolol at 5pm and another dose of 25mg at 10pm. I felt calm at that point because I could walk around and my heart stayed around 100bpm instead of 125bpm-130 from moving. My issues was my heart would be 100 when I woke up 115bpm if I sat up on the edge of the bed and to get up to go to the bathroom walking it would be 125-130bpm I knew something was off.
So, being held overnight at the hospital I had a horrible nightmares, cold sweats, stomach ache and a weird pressure building in my head came and went. So, when I woke up I said the dosage is too high so I went down to 25mg. I left the hospital and noticed 25mg was too strong too, same issues, now with diarrhea constantly, stomach pain so I went down to 12.5mg cut my pill in half. I tried to do that for about 2 weeks until I couldn't take it anymore and tapered down to 6mg I cut that pill in half too and then cut that in half to 3mg and then went off it. I had a journal the entire time I took the medication to see how my symptoms were. Honestly the 12mg didn't help my heart rate as much as the 50mg so the elevated heart rate was still there.
Been off it 5 days now. Mostly just a weird light headed and headache/pressure feeling that comes and goes depending on the time of day. A bit groggy in the morning. My heart feels better it doesn't feel so weird in my chest. Plus the medication gave me anxiety. It made me OCD I kept checking my watch was tracking my pulse and just couldn't take that I could feel my heart beat. But stopping it got rid of the anxiety just dealing with this weird migraine thing. Just drink a lot of water, electrolytes, go to bed at a good time. Plus this thing makes it weird staying asleep I keep waking up in the night and then I wake up like 6 or 7am and can't go back to bed. A weird side effect of coming off.
i am 3 years on Metoprolol .. i notice it gives me depression..i talked with my cardio and he said this is a very common side effect of it..i was on 50mg twice a day.. than 25mg twice a day.. than he said i shall go on 25mg once a day at night only for two weeks and quit. he said if there is anything that bothers me i shall call him..i hope i get off this medication...
Activating the vegus nerve causes the parasympathetic area of the autonomic nervous system to slow down the heart rate.
One very effective technique is to lie flat and inhale through your nose extending your lower diphragm to a count of four. Hold it for a count of six and release slowly through you lips for a count of seven. Allow the exhale to vibrate as it's released making an ohm sound. This increases nitric oxide that relaxes the endothelium dilating you blood vessels.
This is very effective and quick in slowing your heart rate.
I too was taking 50mg metoprolol 2xs a day, and my cardiologist told me to wean off by taking 1/2 (25mg) 2xs a day for a week. Then none at all. I’m at the end if my first day and am having constant lightheadedness, but can feel the side effect tapering down. No change in BP, heart rate lower. After spending today researching the dizziness, I found this to be a normal complaint. Not worried about it yet anyway. Hope this helps.
I have been on metoprolol for a couple years and my insurance has paid for it. all the sudden my insurance has stopped paying for it because they feel that I don't need it. I had to stop cold. I am back to all my old symptoms and then some. I am getting light headedness, lack of focus and concentration, cant sleep because of my heart racing. i fall dead asleep after days and nights of exhaustion and loose track of how long I have slept. Sometimes I've slept a coupe hours and think i slept for 10 ours. then i sleep for 7 hours and feel lie i slept for 2. sometimes IO cant sleep at all
I have been off metoprolol for a week and a half now and i am still feeling the side effects (tiredness and night sweats) was taking 50mg once a day for about a month. Just wishing I had never touched the stuff.
I have been on it for 4 months now. I started off on 100mg once a day, then 50 mg once aday, last week I was titrated down to 25mg once a day. I have been having heart palpatations and a slightly increase of my blood pressure. I am so upset that I took this medicine to help with my anxiety. I am having pain all over my body. I go see my cardiologist on Friday and I will tell her how I dislike this drug.
I have been taking metoprolol for 2 years now and I must say I have had excellent results. I have a normally high resting pulse (95-110) and my bp was 210/160 when my doctor insisted I go on bp meds. I really don't like taking any kind of pills, but didn't want to have a stroke either. I have had very good results with metoprolol -- I take 50 mg twice a day with no side effects. My doctor thinks I may have to be on this med for the rest of my life and that is fine with me. I pay $4 for a month's supply. Why did you feel you had to wean off metoprolol? I know you have written a few years ago and I hope you are doing well.
Hi, I am a 56 yr. Old African American female that lives in the state of N.C. I feel that most of these drugs aren't really curing the problems that they see that we have, its just simply putting a bandaid on it. Most of the side affects, are sometimes in-noticed, until you realize that you've gain an significant amt of weight, and after watching what you eat, you know that there must be another source. And of course, if you start searching, you will find, that these beta blockers, really do have some strong side effects. I watched a tutorial, the other day that this cardiologist, has written, and still has a successful clientele gives you the five worst blood pressure medications, and their functions, and problems. One of them was metoprolol or tool do. This year alone I know p f two deaths caused by. the drug Lisinopril, which they're trying to get of the market.
I am trying to wean off of it as well, but because I am extremely overweight, my pressure stays up. Natural supplements does help, ( like ACV) mustard, and other things she put her clients on, that's in her book
Always use wisdom though, and listen to your body, all our bodies doesn't react the same to some things."The book is entitled" (Blood Pressure Solution). Please, consult your doctor!!
Remember our bodies are designed to heal itself!!! ( but you have to put in the right "fuel"
God Bless!!
If you do a medication check at the top of this page most all meds say to tell the dr if you are pregnant or considering getting pregnant. The CCBs are no better or worse than Beta Blockers for someone who is pregnant.
I was on Beta Blockers for over ten years. Have been on the CCBs for another ten years plus. Have had no bothersome side effects with the CCBs. I like them much better than the Beta Blockers as I did have side effects from Beta Blocker use. Had some side effects when I stopped the Beta Blockers like you described, but the Calcium Channel Blockers stopped them quickly. Have not had any problems to speak of since. I still say you both should talk to your dr about the CCBs. Good luck.:D
No heart problems. Just high Blood pressure for me. They had to put me on it because the medication would be safe during my pregnancy and they could not control it with regular bp meds.
How long were you on Beta Blockers and how long has it been since you've been off? ANy sides effects?
Thanks
Have the two of you had heart problems specifically in the past?? Or really bad chest pains?? I know the drs had me on Beta Blockers for a long time and I never could figure out why as I had not had heart problems per say. I had high blood pressure, but not any real heart problems. Had some heart issues due to opiate use, but that was it. Stopped the opiates and those problems disappeared. I know several people who have had issues with Beta Blockers. Me included. I had lots of side effects that were very unpleasant. Once I got off the Beta Blockers and went to a Calcium Channel Blocker I did so much better.
I don't want to tell you what to do as I am obviously not a dr. Calcium Channel Blockers still help the heart as they dilate the blood vessels making blood flow easier to the heart and all areas of the body. I had circulation problems affecting my extremities the worst. I even had two blood clots in the past. CCBs are still good meds for getting blood to the heart. Beta Blockers are often used first for bad chest pains. I just hated them and have done so much better with almost no side effects with the CCBs. I have not had any blood clots since taking the CCBs and have done great. I have actually cut my dose in half over the last year or so too. You might want to ask your dr about the difference in the two types of meds for your particular situations ... Beta Blockers vs Calcium Channel Blockers. Good luck and God bless.:D
i have been eating like a starving pregnant person since ive gotten off this medication
I don't have any side effects yet. I am trying to lose weight (found out recently weight gain is a side effect) and this is the only way to do it. I was on 200mg a day and dropped to 100mg for about 12 days now. The first day I took less my blood pressure was 140/90 heartrate 102. That was for about a minute then it went down. (I can feel my bp rise after all these years) However, now my heart rate is low, blood pressure wonderful 96/68. I really feel that my working out has helped my withdrawls systems not be so noticable.
I have been on a beta blocker for 7 years now, after I had my youngest daughter and I am tired of feeling tired. I have to say, I am nervous.
Please keep your progress updated. I would love to see your successful outcome.
Related topics
Further information
- Metoprolol uses and safety info
- Metoprolol prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Metoprolol (detailed)
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