Metoprolol Withdrawal (Page 9) (Top voted first)

i've been taking metoprolol for several years as partial treatment for high blood pressure. through diet and exercise, i've lowered my BP to the point my doctor says drop the metoprolol.

i did, 3 days ago, and i'm soooo tired, dizzy, irritable, and my vision is blurred.

is this withdrawal? how long will it last?

i remember starting this medication was terrible to get used to. it appears that stopping it is just as bad.

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Fuzzy......just to add a little more info.....but the good news is that you're currently on a relatively low dosage. At 12mg twice daily, you can likely begin by cutting that amount to around 9 or 10mg twice a day for a week or so to see how you feel. The key is to cut back to an amount where your body eventually feels comfortable with the change and stabilizes. Once you've stabilized for a few days or however long it takes, you can cut the dosage again.....maybe 6mg per dose. The idea is to continue this weaning process until your daily dosage is to an absolute minimum while feeling stabilized before quitting. Once you quit, though, there could also be a withdrawal period, so you'll need to be prepared. Most doctors don't have a clue as to how this drug affects some people with a high sensitivity to it, so you may not find them very helpful. As sad as that is for us to acknowledge, unfortunately it's the truth. I just know that this drug was responsible for creating the worst two or three months of my life, and I wouldn't wish this kind of experience on anybody. Just know that you have friends here willing to help. Without them, I don't quite know how I would've done it.

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I swear I don't know what If I wouldn't of done without you guys on here!!Thanks to All!

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I wish there was an easy way to cure this but unfortunately it is time that is the only fix. I remember reading from previous posts people saying it took them 8-12 months to finally feel normal and I thought if it takes that long I will never make it. I am now at 8 months off and finally feeling a little like my old self. the good stretches are getting longer and the bad days shorter. My prayers are with you all and take it one day at a time it does get better.

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Terry, the thing is that these drugs are good for probably 8 out of 10 people. So, majority of people don't have side effects and it is a wonder drug for them. Also, when trying to quit a drug, some people also don't have any problems. My doc said that she used one Beta Blocker for one year and didn't have any side effects. Then she stopped using it later and had zero withdrawal problems.

Then, when I came and said that I have 10s of side effects, she didn't believe me too much or at least she thought that I am exaggerating. When I tried to quit and ended at ER due to heart rate 160 which didn't want to go down, she again said: you either have anxiety or you need Beta blockers for your original disease (the original disease caused this high HR).

I don't know, maybe really only some of us have problems, or maybe other people are not reporting their problems to their docs.
Or maybe a majority of people when they quit Beta blockers get a high heart rate, but then they think that it's their original disease and not a withdrawal symptoms.

Also, I have been to a few docs and all of them said that a withdrawal should be gone after 2 weeks. I really don't know what is the right answer. Whether docs are lying, or drug companies are giving false results and aren't telling too much about side effects and a withdrawal, or people don't report their side effects and a withdrawal too often (so it may seem that only some of us have problems, which is not true), or people think that their main disease is causing all these problems.

But still, as you can see, there are 100s of people with bad side effects and horrible withdrawal symptoms which last for Months, and not only 2 weeks.

Good luck

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For those of you who are about to wean off this drug or in the process of weaning, my only advice is to be very careful. It's good to taper very slowly, and it's also a good idea to let your current dose settle into somewhat of a normal state before you begin your next cut or taper. I was on 25mg twice daily for two years before the drug went totally crazy on me, at which time I tapered for six weeks followed by another six weeks of pure withdrawal hell. Needless to say, I survived, but after several visits to the ER and upon looking back, I've come to the realization that I didn't taper slowly enough. Of course, everyone is different, but I probably should've doubled or even tripled the amount of time for my taper period, for it wasn't until I got beyond my withdrawal that I realized I was treading on very thin ice with my life. I sincerely wish all of you the very best in getting off this horrible drug! It's not easy, but if you take the time you need to wean yourself properly, you'll get there.

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It's nasty stuff, alright. I think I can speak for everyone here, but if I had known what it was going to do to me, I would have never taken the crap. It was the worst experience of my life.

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Hi, I’ve gotten so much out of this thread that I feel I need to post my experience in the hope it will help others. This thread is the best source of info I could find after many web searches about metoprolol withdrawal. All searches and keyword combinations kept leading me back to here. I’ve also searched the scientific literature and only found a few research papers from the early 80s on very limited studies, where only a handful of patients were monitored over only a coupe weeks after stopping metoprolol (and other drugs). I would wager the drug companies have a lot of data on this but as we all know, there’s no money in letting people know how to stop using their products. I could see them even suppress that info. Another benefit of this thread was to see the long term improvement of some… Jimbo, Lauren, Toonces and many others. There is literally no other data out there that I can find about the withdrawal process!

I’ll first say that I think the drug interacts differently with people. It must depend on many factors such as weight, age, metabolism, diet, etc. I started taking metoprolol succinate extended release (XR) about 6 months ago when I was having episodes of high blood pressure and pulse and had several panic stricken trips to the ER. All diagnostics were normal and one doc prescribed a diuretic, which I took for a few days until I saw a cardiologist. The stess evaluation was ok and he switched me to metoprolol succinate XR and prescribed 50 mg. Thank goodness I decided only to take 25 mg after advice from family. I also researched that it lasts only 20 hours, not 24 hours despite the once per day prescription. I felt so bad that I decided to split the dosage into half (12.5 mg) in the morning and half (12.5 mg) in the evening. That meant cutting the 50 mg pills into quarters, which is difficult and no doubt led to fairly unequal dosage over those days, it was before I even knew about a pill cutter.

It took days to weeks to get used to, but I gradually settled into better BP readings, so much so that after about 4.5 months and reading about the long term side effects, I decided to drop the dosage. The recurring theme on here is to wean ***slowly***. I got my doc to prescribe 25 mg pills, the smallest available at least where I am, and I use a pill cutter and industrial blade with a scale that reads to the nearest 0.01 g., 0.001 g would be better but they’re very expensive. I first tried cutting the dosage half and did not feel well at all, BP and pulse way up, scary episodes at various times of day or night but especially 2 or 3 hours after going to bed. So I went to 9 x 2 = 18 mg per day for two weeks. The first few days were tough but it gradually it got better. Still some episodes after a week. 2nd week it settled down more, gradually. So I then switched to 6 x 2 = 12 mg per day after 14 days of 18 mg. I found that was the hardest step: more intense episodes, some chest pain and feeling of anxiety just like described on this thread. It gradually lessened until after 2 weeks, I went to 4 x 2 = 8 mg per day. More of the same but not as bad as the 18 mg to 12 mg step.

Two weeks later, I reduced further, first by trying to skip the evening dosage. Not good, I felt bad with high BP, rate and headache as some have mentioned here. I think each reduction should be 25% at most, no matter what dosage one is on. Maybe even lower % drop would be better, or if one waited more than 2 weeks or both. Anyways, I first tried 4 + 2 = 6 mg per day but felt like it was a roller coaster so several days ago I went to 2 + 2 = 4 mg per day. The first night felt bad with headache, thirst, somewhat higher BP and only one episode the first night. Things have been ok since then, I’m cautiously optimistic but am not out of the woods yet. The dosage is so low that maybe I can drop it entirely next week. I worry about the first days at 0 mg as many have reported here. I will update again.

From what I experienced, I would say that yes, even 4 mg has an effect. Despite what all the docs say, including my own, that one can just go cold turkey. And having said all the above, my wife through all of this has said it’s all in my head. Criticizing me or making fun of me whenever she sees me cutting up pills or taking BP measurements. That is toxic to live with and I’m still mad about it. I even left at one point for several days over it. If it weren’t for children, I’m not sure I’d come back to be around that negativity. This whole process is stressful enough, so I sympathize with a couple people on here that have mentioned the same. And envy a couple that have mentioned their spouses are supportive. Don’t let family, friends or any doc or nurse tell you that it’s psychological, there’s a real effect that occurs with getting off this drug.

One last thing I want to mention and not seen discussed here is to watch one’s sodium! It seems obvious in retrospect but only in the last week or two I noticed that my episodes followed salty snacks or meals. I’ve never been sodium sensitive before but maybe this metoprolol has caused it. I wonder if it will stay with me down the road but then it’s healthy to watch sodium anyways so I won’t ever go back. So I’m always watching sodium content and not eating too much, especially restaurant food. One other thing… potassium and magnesium do help, thank you to this thread again for that info!

I hope someone finds this helpful. No doubt it’s harder to wean off higher doses taken for longer amounts of time, this stuff is toxic. Good luck to all.

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OMG! I am going through the same thing!! I was on Metoprolol for over 2 years my doctor took me off it I have been off for a month now but I still get plapatations I feel weak my heart feels like its beating to slow!! I don't know what to do! any answers??

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After going off this med due to severe joint pain, I experienced pins and needles and tingling in my legs and arms, plus a racing irregular heartbeat. After being off a week (yes i weaned slowly off it) ..i took a half of a 50 mg this morning to see if i could calm my pulse rate down. This med was toxic to me.

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I have been on Lopressor for 23 years for an Essential Tremor. Initially 100 mg.
I was increased to 200 mg. after 6 years. I experienced convulsions upon the increase so what I did was as opposed to taking 2 a day I took the it 6 hrs. early each day which worked well. When I initially went on it in a period of wks. I went from weighing 100 lbs. to 155 lbs.
It took me 2 years to lose that weight. It has worked very well for me & now that I am in my 50's I am also using it for heart & B.P. issues. Now, I am living out of the States & have abruptly had to discontinue my meds.
I have been off of Lopressor now for one week. I had cut myself down to 50 mg. a day for an extended period as I knew I was running out of my pills. My heart rate is running between 109 to 121. My B.P. Systolic 145-161.
I had a period of syncope , trembling, achy, very disoriented. Tingling & shaking. Heart Rate dropped to 49 once I could take it after the episode B.P. was 92/53 . It is very strange. I have had to abruptly stop it 2 times before for only a few days and always after a wk. this is what happens. It is difficult to even walk due to the shaking & trembling...Feeling dizzy.

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TRACY- Read my comments, hope it will help. I don't understand why some Dr.'s always advise to simply stop taking this horrible medication. You MUST WEAN OFF slowly to avoid these withdrawal symptoms from hell.

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Oh and this med caused me awful vision problems. I am still having issues even after a month off. It is better but still having problems :-(

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It sounds like a lot of people replying on here have quit metoprolol cold turkey. You should NEVER do that. I took my last dose on Feb. 28, 2013. It took a few months to really feel back to "normal" but it happened. If you wean down slowly, you will not have to start it back up just to feel better. By doing that you are defeating the purpose and reintroducing it right back into your system. Talk to your doctor and wean slowly - over about a month's time. It works. Just my two cents. (you can see my original post on March 7, 2013)

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Thank you, Toni. I'm truly hoping that's not going to be my fate...I've been on the med for a long time, so my Dr. hasn't cut me off cold turkey, and has started me on something else...but, it's not going as 'smooth' as she wants to pretend it is...
Ok...what really gets me, is my Dr. had me taking 150 mg (1.5 50 mg pills, twice a day). She decided last week to switch me over to Irbesatran (150 mg). She told me to begin the Irbesatran right away, and drop down to 50 mg of Metorprolol 2X a day (100 mg). That's when the awful feelings began...
So, I call her office. They tell me they'll call right back...they don't. I call again...they say they'll call right back...they don't...multiply by 3.
Finally, as I'm in bed feeling like I'm dying, the office calls back and tells me "The Dr. says you just need to ride it out until the 'switch' takes place...you're having anxiety, that's all." That doesn't help my mood...it infuriates me. I realize I'm having anxiety...but that's secondary...I'm having anxiety BECAUSE the symptoms are freaking me out.
Several more calls back, waiting for a reply...mind you, my doctor never once calls me back, she puts her reply into a computer that the office staff looks up and reads back to me...this is how much she cares for her patients.
NOW, I'm told, instead of cutting down from 150 mg a day to 100 mg a day, I should cut down even MORE to 50 mg a day, since I'm taking the Irbesatran. I'm quite sure the Irbesatran isn't a beta blocker...?...I question the staff "Are you SURE I should wean down even MORE?" (Don't question office staff, nurses or Dr's apparently...they don't like it.)
So, I've gone from 150 mg a day of Metoprolol, to 100 mg of Metoprolol and 150 mg of Irbesartan, to 50 mg of Metoprolol and 150 mg of Irbesartan in four days...and I feel like absolute crap.
I'm back to work tomorrow...have no choice...have no clue how I'm going to get through the day like this, but...what can I do?
I'm very disappointed in my Dr. and her staff...I've already begun seeking a new Dr.
I don't know how you folks dealt with this feeling...it's just awful...and especially for HBP...this sure doesn't make my BP feel any better. I'm a dizzy, tired, weak mess and the only time I feel semi-normal is when I'm laying down.
Sorry for the rant. Very frustrated and concerned.

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I was put on Metroprlol Tartrate on Sept. 30 for afib brought about by dehydration. I was taking 12.5 mg am and pm. On Oct 30 I was told I could tot rate down and eventually come off. I very gradually reduced my dose by 6 mg for 2-3 weeks at a time. I took my last dose on Dec. 6. On dec14, I experienced a pounding/ racing heart. Doc told me to take 12mg and so I did. On 12/19, I experienced a similar episode while driving and took another 12 mg to slow my heart rate. The episode passed in 15 min. Very early on the morning of 12/22, I awoke with the same thing. Thinking it was rebound, I just rode out the episode without taking anything. Now I feel awful with periodic rises in heart rate/BP and feelings of panic. I take it this is normal. How long will it last? This so terrifying. I felt lousy while on the drug and I feel horrible now. I'm pretty sure my doc won't believe me when I tell him it's withdrawal, even though I did so gradually. I do deep breathing when I feel chest tightness, etc. hits and it eventually passes. Today I got real dizzy right after lunch and had to cancel my Xmas plans. Help!

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I am back to report. My last post was Oct. 30, 2013. I was #80, now there have been 165 posts. I contended with that horrible withdrawed for at least a year. And I still am not the person I was before I started taking the poison, Metoprolol. In March of that year my husband got sick and passed away in May. I was not able to even help take care of him when I was needed so bad. During that time ( in September)as I said in my last post that I just kept thinking it was the withdrawal when I got to where I couldn't walk across the room without stopping to get my breath. I had to go to the emergency room it was blood clots on my lungs. If I had my way I would not take another pill for anything but a doctor will scare you to death telling you what might happen if you don't. I was a very abled person before I started taking that awful stuff and just with in a year you would think I aged 10 years. I am very careful about taking any medications without checking them out but really I don't think that does any good. Why can't someone get hold of this and do something about it like they do a lot of the medicines they finally have taken off the market.

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Hello,
I have posted before and have been off Metoprolol for 2.5 weeks now. The first 1.5 weeks were fine but this last week has been hell. I am having racing heart and panic attacks... inner tremors and palpitations. I am also on Lorazepam 1.5 per day but it has not been helping much. I ended up taking 2.5 yesterday and 2.0 two days ago to get over the anxiety and other symptoms. Does anyone know if this is normal with Metoprolol withdrawal?

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I haven't met a Doctor that knows what we're all saying! Everytime I mention long withdrawals "I never heard of that"! Why are they peddling stuff they only read about? See what people taking it are saying!!!

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Dorian, during my 2nd month off the drug, I experienced the same wave of illness. Plus, I got new symptom of very bad fatigue and dizziness. I'm going into my 3rd month off, and happy to report I'm starting to feel normal. I still have issues but noticed I am bouncing back quicker.

Susie, I love your positive attitude, despite the chronic symptoms. Bee, I agree. Go natural if you can.

Punita, don't be surprised if you feel worse once you stop the drug. Things got worse for me for about a month before they got better. My cardiologist said he was not surprised by that. Like you I took it for heart issue and I had no bp problem.

Saw my cardiologist last week. He said if the heart issue ever happens to me again, he wants me to avoid using any type of heart\bp medication. Instead I should try anxiety techniques and anxiety meds first. I noticed he never explicitly says that all my issues right now were caused by metropolol, but he implies it.

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Joyce, you are right. No doctor is going to admit that medicine is what is wrong. After reading all these issues one would know it was the Metoprolol that has caused all the problems. As I have posted before and has been a while. I quit cold turkey. I am sure that was wrong but I hadn't come across this website then. I quit in March of 2013 . I have had nothing but problems sense. I know this is not encouraging to some of you. It could be age. I am sure I am older than most of you but I was very active before and now I can hardly walk across the floor with out my walker. I can't help but blame it on that horrible medicine. I was on it 4 years and looks like it is going to take 4 years to get off. Seems I have had every symptom every one else has had and still have some. No doctor seems to know what to do about it. I feel for the poor people that are taking it now , if they ever try to get off of it.

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