Metoprolol Tartrate

Metoprolol Tartrate belongs to a group of medicines called beta-blockers. It is used to treat emergency high blood pressure (hypertensive emergency), angina (heart- related chest pain), irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmia).

Metoprolol Tartrate is given under the supervision of a doctor. The dose and frequency depend on what you are taking it for and the severity of your condition. It is given along with continuous monitoring of blood pressure and heart rate. If affected by dizziness, rise slowly while standing from lying or sitting position.

The main side effects of this medicine are a sudden drop in blood pressure, headache, slow heart rate, feeling dizzy, and nausea. These are usually mild and short-lived. It may also cause shortness of breath or low blood pressure in some people. To reduce the risk of side effects your doctor will probably start the medicine at a low dose and gradually increase it. Consult your doctor if the side effects bother you or do not go away.

Before taking it, let your doctor know if you have any liver problems. It may also not be suitable for people who have a slow heart rate, severe circulation problems, severe heart failure, or low blood pressure. Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers should also consult their doctor before taking it. You must talk to your doctor to find out whether this medicine is suitable for you to use. Avoid drinking alcohol as it may increase certain side effects.

• Treatment of Hypertensive emergency
• Treatment of Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Treatment of Angina (heart-related chest pain)
• Treatment of Arrhythmia
• Prevention of Heart attack
• Treatment of Migraine

Treatment of Hypertensive emergency
Metoprolol Tartrate blocks the effect of some chemicals on your heart and blood vessels. This slows down the heart rate and helps the heart beat with less force thereby lowering your blood pressure. This medicine is injected into a vein under the supervision of a doctor. It is used for immediate reduction of very high blood pressure (hypertensive emergency). A controlled blood pressure reduces the risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or kidney problems.

Treatment of Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Metoprolol Tartrate belongs to a group of medicine called long-acting beta-blocker. It works by blocking the effects of some chemicals on your heart and blood vessels. It slows down your heart rate and helps the heartbeat with less force. This lowers your blood pressure and helps in reducing your risk of having a stroke, a heart attack, other heart problems, or kidney problems in the future. This medicine needs to be taken regularly to be effective, so keep taking it even if you feel well. Do not stop without talking to your doctor.

Treatment of Angina (heart-related chest pain)
Metoprolol Tartrate relaxes the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily around your body and makes sure that your heart is getting a good supply of oxygen. This makes it less likely that you will suffer chest pain caused by angina. This medicine can help increase your ability to exercise and go about your daily life more easily by reducing the frequency of angina attacks. You should take it regularly and as long as it is prescribed for it to work effectively.

Treatment of Arrhythmia
Metoprolol Tartrate is used to stabilize heart rhythms (particularly atrial fibrillation). It helps in normalizing an abnormal heart rhythm, preventing it from occurring in the first place, or slowing down the heart rate during an episode.

Prevention of Heart attack
Metoprolol Tartrate helps lower your blood pressure and make it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. This reduces the chances of you having a heart attack. It can also reduce the risk of dying if it is given immediately after a heart attack. This medicine needs to be taken regularly to be effective, so keep taking it even if you feel well. Do not stop without talking to your doctor.

Treatment of Migraine
Metoprolol Tartrate helps change electrical activity in the brain, reduce the flow of blood in your brain, or increase activity in a region of the brain associated with migraines. By preventing and reducing the frequency of migraine attacks, the medicine can help you carry out your daily activities and improve your quality of life.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Esmet

• Orthostatic hypotension (sudden lowering of blood pressure on standing)
• Slow heart rate
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Breathlessness

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

Metoprolol Tartrate is a short-acting beta blocker that works specifically on the heart. It works by slowing down the heart rate and makes the heart more efficient at pumping blood around the body.

• It may cause dizziness. If this happens to you, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

• It can hide symptoms of low blood sugar if you are diabetic. Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly.

• Do not stop taking Metoprolol Tartrate suddenly as it can cause your blood pressure to rise suddenly, thereby increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Benowitz NL. Antihypertensive Agents. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. p. 182.

Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 904-905.