Are doctors always right: About Metoprolol, a Hypertension m

prettyprpro
prettyprpro Posts: 128 Member
edited October 1 in Motivation and Support
I have hypertension. I am currently taking Tribenzor. It's basically 3 pills in one. I take it once a day. My doctor has been taking me on and off medicine for a few months now. When I went to the doctor on last Friday, she said that my hypertension has improved, but it still could be lower. She prescribed to me Metoprolol. I am suppose to take it once a day. When I brought the medicine, I read the packaging, it said that if someone suddenly stops taking this medication, you may have a heart attack or chest pains. I am not going to stop taking my medication, but wow if so, you can get a heart attack??? Is anyone out there familiar with Metoprolol? I am so scared to start taking this medicine!! Please help!
.

Replies

  • CarolynB38
    CarolynB38 Posts: 553 Member
    It's never a good idea to suddenly stop taking any medication unless your doctor tells you to. What will probably happen is when your blood pressure is much lower, your doctor may start reducing the dose to see what happens. Coming off it slowly shouldn't be a problem it's just that it's rather a shock to the system to suddenly have your blood pressure go from normal (with meds) to high when you stop taking it. If you are following your doctors instructions and the instructions on the packet then you should be fine :)
  • melizerd
    melizerd Posts: 870 Member
    It's also a medication used to prevent heart attacks, so I'm sure that's part of the reason the warning is on the label because if you're using it for that and stop taking it then you could have a heart attack (duh right LOL).

    You should never stop taking a prescribed medication of any kind without speaking with your doctor first. Many drugs need to be weaned off of and stopping suddenly can cause anything from feeling ill to serious side effects (heart attack, suicidal thoughts, etc).


    PS I'm a nursing student but not a doctor or even a full fledged nurse yet. PLEASE speak with your doctor about any concerns you have.
  • SimplySatisfiedSarah
    SimplySatisfiedSarah Posts: 2 Member
    as previously stated most meds should be weened off. metoprolol if stopped suddenly could cause a rebound effect. basically meaning your BP could suddenly spike up very high. point is, dont quit it suddenly.

    p.s. im a nurse and also on metoprolol. it is VERY commonly used med.
  • jus_me77
    jus_me77 Posts: 47
    I take it for SVT. I have missed does before, not meaning to, but I haven't had any issues. Also, once you come off, the doc should wean you off. They just don't want you to stop cold turkey.
  • ansonrinesmith
    ansonrinesmith Posts: 741 Member
    General practitioners can be "wrong". This is usually due to not being up to date or unfamiliar with treating your specific ailment.
    In cases like diabetes, it is better to have a certified specialist.

    Do not just quit taking meds though.
  • kunibob
    kunibob Posts: 608 Member
    You can always call and check with the pharmacy. It's a pharmacist's job to know all about a drug, including side effects. They can do a phone consult with you and answer your questions.
  • ansonrinesmith
    ansonrinesmith Posts: 741 Member
    You can always call and check with the pharmacy. It's a pharmacist's job to know all about a drug, including side effects. They can do a phone consult with you and answer your questions.
    Good point!!!
    Also, the pharmacy should ask if you have any questions for the pharmacist when you fill your script. Ask then?
  • schobert101
    schobert101 Posts: 218 Member
    I am an internal medicine physician, retired and have prescribed the drug for years. As I'm sure you know all medicines have potential side effects and some of the patient information sheets can scare a person to death. Beta blockers dower BP and heart rate and stopping suddenly can increase both. In someone without underlying coronary artery disease its not likely to give you a heart attack but as someone else mentioned the drug IS used frequently in patients who already have known coronary disease, heart failure and after a heart attack to prevent another. So in those persons the risk is much greater. Assuming you are not in that group the risk is pretty small.

    The title of your post is 'are doctors always right?"...............well of course not and it is good to be informed but with the information you give us it sounds like a reasonable choice. One other thing to be aware of is that beta blockers keep your heart rate down so if you use a heart rate monitor you might not be able to get your heart rate up and calorie calculations based on heart rate will be invalid............not a reason to not take the drug but something to be aware of.
  • EricInArlington
    EricInArlington Posts: 531 Member
    I started taking my BP med when I weighed 316 now I'm down to 225 so a month ago I stopped to see what would happen and I could tell it was higher and could feel the differences. I took my BP and it was up a little but, not too bad so I just started taking them again. its only .05 Mg so it's not too bad
  • prettyprpro
    prettyprpro Posts: 128 Member
    Thanks everyone!! I am going to use your advice! :)
This discussion has been closed.

Categories