Metoprolol and Heart Palpitations: What Users Say

• Vin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 15, 2021

Toprol-XL (metoprolol) for High Blood Pressure "Was on Toprol XL for only 6 weeks and had to get off of it quickly. HORRIBLE anxiety/panic attacks, constant arrhythmia, tachycardia, passing out, hypoglycemia, hallucinations, nightmares, Raynaud's syndrome, etc. This drug almost finished me off. I had 13 severe panic attacks since starting it, and if I wasn't as healthy a person as I am, I am certain it would have given me a heart attack. I am now exactly 8 weeks off of it. Most of the horrible symptoms have stopped, except the arrhythmia that comes and goes. In my opinion, Toprol is a serious endocrine disrupter and should be pulled from the market. It is a very dangerous drug. Can't believe how sick I became after starting it. Screw all pills. I can control my BP with diet. I truly regret ever putting one of these poisonous pills in my mouth."

• Vin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 15, 2021

Toprol-XL (metoprolol) for High Blood Pressure "Was on Toprol XL for only 6 weeks and had to get off of it quickly. HORRIBLE anxiety/panic attacks, constant arrhythmia, tachycardia, passing out, hypoglycemia, hallucinations, nightmares, Raynaud's syndrome, etc. This drug almost finished me off. I had 13 severe panic attacks since starting it, and if I wasn't as healthy a person as I am, I am certain it would have given me a heart attack. I am now exactly 8 weeks off of it. Most of the horrible symptoms have stopped, except the arrhythmia that comes and goes. In my opinion, Toprol is a serious endocrine disrupter and should be pulled from the market. It is a very dangerous drug. Can't believe how sick I became after starting it. Screw all pills. I can control my BP with diet. I truly regret ever putting one of these poisonous pills in my mouth."

• Anonymous
• December 29, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Getting off this medication is brutal. I only took it for 2 months and I was never sicker. Side effects of dizziness, blurred vision, tachycardia, chest pain, muscle weakness, and paresthesias. Getting off it took about 6 months with rebound effects of jitters, sweating, tachycardia at random. It was no different than getting off heroin. Twice while in public, the side effects were so severe other people called an ambulance and I went to the ER. This medication is lethal, at least for me. I heard some people say they felt really good on it??? You don't know until you try a med how you will react. I put it on my allergy list. There is a light at the end of the tunnel when you are getting off it. It takes time and should be done with medical supervision. It took me 6 months to get over the rebound effects. I feel like a drug addict that survived rehab and made it through!! Hang in there!"

• Lin...
• August 7, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Beta Blocker Rebound... the Docs will tell you that this metoprolol is out of your system in 3 days. It may be out of your blood, but it is not out of the nervous system for at least 3 months. Thus... there is no longer inhibition of norepinephrine, which causes the elevated HR and the anxiety reaction. It crosses the blood-brain barrier and is lipophilic (stored in fat tissue), which stays in your system longer. Both myself and a friend of mine have weaned off this drug, and we are still having mild Rebound symptoms with elevated HR, shaky knees, and sweating. While taking the drug, the side effects were very intense. Dizzy, racing heart, muscle weakness, exercise intolerance, palpitations, constipation, flushing, etc. This is a horrible drug, and I wouldn't give it to a dead dog! Try to be patient with the rebound effects. I was told it does eventually subside so you will feel normal again. Hope and prayers for all getting off this drug!"

• J44...
• November 13, 2015

Metoprolol Succinate ER (metoprolol) for Supraventricular Tachycardia "I'm a 22-year-old female. (115/5'1). Long story short, I found out I have tachycardia and experienced palpitations as well. I had extreme anxiety because of it, which made it worse. I got prescribed Metoprolol Tartrate twice a day at first, and it was a nightmare. It actually had a reverse reaction on me and gave me constant flutters for a whole day. The doctor told me to take Magnesium twice a day with it, and it helped. I eventually switched to the extended release, once a day, along with Magnesium, and I couldn't be happier. I feel a lot more relaxed and normal. Had a few palps still with Tartrate but not with Succinate (yet). I wanted to wait to write a review because I know I relied on reviews. Hope this helps!"

• Leu...
• June 27, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Metoprolol is a horrid drug. I was started on 25mg 2x a day and only for the past 2 months. My doctor said it was a TINY dose. Nothing tiny about it. I have been so dizzy, blurry vision. So I am trying to wean off, and it's a miserable ride. I have palpitations, some chest pain. I wake in the night with ringing ears and racing heart. This is Beta Blocker rebound and I'd rather have a craniotomy. I have headaches, tinnitus, poor exercise tolerance. (I was athletic) in addition to the palpitations and chest pain. I am trying to wean at 12.5 and now down to 6.25 daily until I can ditch this horrid drug. It seems many people have had the same struggle. I pray I can get off and get back to normal soon. Good luck to all of you working hard to get off this drug."

• Hop...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2020

Metoprolol Succinate ER (metoprolol) for Supraventricular Tachycardia "This med is horrible. Only took 2 doses and still having severe problems with palpitations and racing heart 2.5 months later. Had episodes of extreme palpitations, chest pain, almost passing out. Can hardly do my everyday chores. Cannot exert myself. Hypersensitivity. Hope my heart returns back to normal. I hope I didn't ruin it forever."

• JJ ...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 24, 2013

Toprol-XL (metoprolol) for High Blood Pressure "I have been taking Toprol-XL for about 8 years now. I started at 10mg, then 50mg, and now at 100mg. It has brought my blood pressure under control - was 150/80, now at 130/70. Also brought down my heart rate, which was 88 resting to 60 resting. I am a light smoker who has asthma/mild COPD. Metoprolol has shown no effect on these conditions as my PF and FEV1 have not changed. PROS: Reduced blood pressure to normal, reduced anxiety levels. CONS: Tired (mild), weight gain (mild), erectile dysfunction (mild), heart skipping a beat (occasional only and mild)."

• rip...
• January 13, 2017

Toprol-XL (metoprolol) for Supraventricular Tachycardia "I started Toprol back in the spring of 2004. I was switched from generic metoprolol, I was on that for borderline high blood pressure. After 4 years on that, I developed racing and very irregular heartbeats, the Toprol XL did nothing. They got even worse. My doctor took me off, saying it was side effects of both drugs. I immediately improved. I still have them but not as bad. No cardiologist has told me what was wrong. I have a really bad back. In 2011, I got an epidural at T4-5 and that completely cured my rapid and irregular heartbeat for 3 years. There are 8 nerves besides the vagus nerve that go to the heart, they are part of the autonomic nervous system. They all come off the spine at C4-5 to T4-5. I have severe stenosis at all those levels."

• mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 17, 2023

Metoprolol Succinate ER (metoprolol) for Supraventricular Tachycardia "I was only able to tolerate 25 mg of metoprolol for a week. The first few days, the side effects were just indigestion and heartburn that subsided. On the 8th day, I had constant anxiety attacks with frequent heart palpitations and almost went to the emergency room. That night, I cut the dosage in half but woke up at 2:30 AM with a major anxiety attack. It took a while to get back to sleep, and when I woke up later in the morning, I had another anxiety attack, tingling in my feet and legs, and heart palpitations. As the day passed, it calmed down. My doctor's office was closed due to a holiday, so I talked to the pharmacist and was told to stay on the medication until I talked to the doctor. I felt somewhat better the next day, a little shaky, but later in the day, the side effects started again. I finally got in touch with the doctor who told me to stop taking it. Hoping in a few days I start to feel normal again. This was a very upsetting and scary experience."

• Sca...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 7, 2022

Toprol-XL (metoprolol) for High Blood Pressure "This is an update to a post I made in October 2021. I discontinued Toprol due to nasty side effects after only 2 months of use (severe anxiety, panic attacks, severe depression, insomnia, swelling of extremities, bloat/gassy, blurred vision, icy hands/feet, arrhythmia, shortness of breath, chest vibrations). It's been 1 year and 3 months since discontinuation. I am STILL experiencing off and on arrhythmia. I've had a thorough exam and testing with 30-day monitoring from 2 different cardiologists. My heart is very healthy, no blockages, no disease. Neither cardiologist can find any reason for the persistent arrhythmia, nor will they believe me when I tell them I think the Toprol caused this long-term persistent arrhythmia. I've also had extensive endocrinology testing and nothing is coming up as a reason for this arrhythmia. NOTE: I've never in my entire life had any heart arrhythmia or palpitations UNTIL I took Toprol, and now it's a regular occurrence. This cannot be a coincidence."

• San...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 26, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "My doctor had me on metoprolol for approximately 6 years. Did great for lowering my blood pressure, which was very high. They have now taken me off of it because my pulse rate was in the high 30s to low 40s. I now wonder if I should have stayed on it because they have been working for over 8 months trying to get my blood pressure under control. They finally had me wear a heart monitor, and I found out that I have a heart arrhythmia. This is one of the pills they will probably want to put me back on, and I can't take it because of the low pulse rate. Damned if you do, damned if you don't."

• Eye...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 26, 2016

For Atrial Fibrillation "I was prescribed hydrochlorothiazide to lower BP. Within 2 weeks, I had tachycardia and went to the ER at the VA. After about 8 hours, the tachycardia went away, but the idiots at the ER didn't see fit to take me off hydrochlorothiazide. So, within 2 weeks, I had another bout of tachycardia and went to the ER again. This time, I was put on metoprolol and still was not taken off hydrochlorothiazide. Instead of tachycardia, I ended up within 2 weeks with arrhythmia that was so bad it felt as if my heart was going to explode through my chest. I kept having bouts of arrhythmia every 2 weeks, with my heart exploding with every heartbeat. I used a food protocol that changed everything. D-ribose does the same as metoprolol with no side effects."

• Eye...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 26, 2016

For Atrial Fibrillation "I was prescribed hydrochlorothiazide to lower BP. Within 2 weeks, I had tachycardia and went to the ER at the VA. After about 8 hours, the tachycardia went away, but the idiots at the ER didn't see fit to take me off hydrochlorothiazide. So, within 2 weeks, I had another bout of tachycardia and went to the ER again. This time, I was put on metoprolol and still was not taken off hydrochlorothiazide. Instead of tachycardia, I ended up within 2 weeks with arrhythmia that was so bad it felt as if my heart was going to explode through my chest. I kept having bouts of arrhythmia every 2 weeks, with my heart exploding with every heartbeat. I used a food protocol that changed everything. D-ribose does the same as metoprolol with no side effects."

• Anonymous
• December 13, 2011

For Premature Ventricular Depolarizations "I just started the Metoprolol for premature ventricular depolarizations. I was on one 25 mg pill a day and it wasn't touching it. I recently was upgraded to two 25 mg pills a day, we will see how it goes. My symptoms include rapid heartbeat while at rest and what feels like skipped beats or double beats. Most of the time they are on the aggressive side. I'm a 32-year-old male."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 10, 2014

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "I was started on this medicine after a trip to the ER. I have been dealing with supraventricular tachycardia my whole life, and at 49, it finally came to this point. Since starting the metoprolol, I have had heart flutters every day, all throughout the day, as well as some chest tightness, which I previously have not had. It also caused sun sensitivity and increased/extreme sweating. Although I have not had another serious attack, the side effects far outweigh any benefit for me. I decided to stop taking the metoprolol, and the heart flutter has greatly decreased, as well as the sweating. The next step for me is an ablation."

• Mik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2022

For Atrial Fibrillation "I just started metoprolol and I'm not sure what to expect. By the comments I've been reading, I'm scared. I had 2 ablations and just recently saw a new doctor. She gave me many tests for my constant Afib. I'm scared, and I hate feeling like I do. The funny thing is, I have days with no Afib and days with palpitations constantly. Is there any doctor out there that gives a damn? We can send a man to the moon, but we can't cure Afib."

• Anonymous
• March 5, 2012

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking metoprolol tartrate for 15 years, and it has probably saved my life. I take 100 mg twice a day with little or no side effects. I feel great while using this medicine. If I miss a dose, I get serious tachycardia and cannot do physical work. When using, I am a conditioned athlete, lift weights, sprint, etc., and feel healthy. No clicks, no PVCs."

• Byr...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 11, 2020

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "I’ve been taking metoprolol for approximately 10 years for SVT. In my 20s, I had a resting heart rate in the 150 range. For the first six years, I had great results with 25 mg at night, but gradually I had breakthrough tachycardia, so my cardiologist added 25 mg in the morning, and my heart rate is again in the normal range, with my resting heart rate being around 68. This medication made such a difference in my life."

• ddr...
• January 19, 2015

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "Started having tachycardia a few months ago and was put on this medicine... so far, so good. Definitely has slowed down the heart rate, and at the end of its extended release period, I feel like I need to take another one.... My older sister also takes it for heart flutters, and her cardiologist said that they should put it in the water supply... it's good for everyone's heart."

• dan...
• February 14, 2020

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "I am 53, and I've felt palpitations since my 20s. However, they weren't bad at all nor frequent. But last year, they suddenly became very bad, more frequent, more severe, I'd have them all day long, horrendous. So I was put on beta blockers. First, propranolol, which worked really well but made me feel exhausted. I was switched to metoprolol whilst in the hospital. On the metoprolol, you feel nauseous sometimes, but if you take cyclizine, it helps. But metoprolol doesn't make me feel as tired as the propranolol, you feel more normal on metoprolol. I haven't really noticed any other side effect symptoms, but one thing I also liked about propranolol is that it seemed to really help with anxiety symptoms as I wasn't having them as much. On the metoprolol, because it works differently, it does not help with anxiety, and the frustrating thing is that even on beta blockers, I still get palpitations, just not as frequent as before taking them."

• Sco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 8, 2021

For Atrial Fibrillation "I have been to three different cardiologists without getting any real answer to my heart problem... I have been taking metoprolol, and it has stopped the palpitations for the most part, but I'm still having dull, sharp chest pains... anyone else going through something similar?"

• Sca...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2021

Toprol-XL (metoprolol) for High Blood Pressure "DON'T TAKE THIS POISON!!! I was on it only 2 months. Weaned off as directed after experiencing horrible side effects (fatigue, shortness of breath, bloating/gassy, weight gain, joint pain, limb swelling, facial swelling) and went through an absolute nightmare getting off of this drug. I had severe panic attacks, anxiety attacks, depression, insomnia, arrhythmia, vagus nerve dysfunction, and chest vibrations. It has been 8 months since I discontinued this awful drug, and the arrhythmia continues on a regular basis. I never had any palpitations or arrhythmias ever in my life until I took Toprol, and now it's a daily problem. I fully regret ever taking Toprol. It was nothing but bad from the very first pill....."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 9, 2019

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "I have been recently diagnosed with SVT. I had frequent episodes of SVT where my heart rate went up to 290 bpm for about 3 to 7 minutes. I am taking metoprolol for 1 month now. In the beginning, I felt completely normal, unlike having all the symptoms every day like before taking the medicine. Lately, I am feeling heaviness in my chest and palpitations for a few seconds every now and then, and also my quality of life has changed a lot. I feel very tired and not able to concentrate on any type of task much. The symptoms are coming back. Visiting the doctor again soon."

• Ten...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 30, 2020

Metoprolol Succinate ER (metoprolol) for Supraventricular Tachycardia "In May of 2020, while in the hospital for knee replacement, I went into SVT with a heart rate of 200. I was put on Metoprolol Succinate ER 50. In August of 2020, I had SVT ablation. I was okay up until December 2020. I had a sleep study test, no sleep apnea, thank goodness, but my heart rate went up to 240. I have been having palpitations, very jittery all of a sudden. Has anyone had a similar experience? I will see a cardiologist at the end of the week."