10 often-overlooked metoprolol side effects
Metoprolol is a beta-blocker commonly used for high blood pressure, certain heart-rhythm problems, angina, and some forms of heart failure. Many people take it without serious problems, but it can produce noticeable side effects.
Some symptoms worth discussing with a clinician include:
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Unusual tiredness or low energy
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Dizziness or lightheadedness
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A slower-than-usual heartbeat
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Cold hands or feet
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Sleep disturbances or vivid dreams
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Headache
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Nausea or stomach upset
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Shortness of breath or wheezing, particularly in people with asthma or other airway disease
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Low blood pressure, sometimes causing weakness or faintness
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Sexual difficulties or reduced libido
When it needs urgent attention
Seek prompt medical care for fainting, severe difficulty breathing/wheezing, chest pain, a very slow heartbeat with symptoms, or severe swelling or sudden worsening of heart-failure symptoms.
One particularly important point: don’t abruptly stop metoprolol unless a clinician tells you to. Sudden withdrawal can cause a rapid rise in heart rate or blood pressure and can worsen angina or other heart problems.
If you’re taking metoprolol and tell me your dose (such as 25, 50, or 100 mg), whether it’s metoprolol tartrate or succinate, and what symptoms you’re experiencing, I can explain which effects are more likely and what should be checked.
