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Metoprolol working but doesn't seem to last as long as it should?

I am on Metoprolol Tartrate 25MG 2 twice a day. Within 30 mins of taking Metoprolol, I feel the effects and I feel great. My BP and it drops to 100/60 and my heart rate drops to 70 or even 65 BPM. I don't have any side effects from this med.

That being said, the issue I'm running into is that the Metoprolol doesn't seem to last as long as it should. If I take the Metaprolol at 7am, by the time 3pm comes around, my BP is 135/92 and my heart rate can get as high as 120 BPM. My issue is that the dose works but it seems to fade fast, well before my next scheduled dose, hence the dilemma. The doses should last 12 hours but mine seem to last only 8 hours, thus not covering the entire day.

I'm also concerned that if my doctor increases or adjusts my dose that my BP can dip too low.

What do you all think? What should I do? Will the medication build up in my system over time?
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Avatar universal
Hi,

I take this drug for high BP, but I have the slow release kind.  Its called metoprolol succinate. I take 25 mg in the morning.  Maybe you could ask your doctor to prescribe this?
Helpful - 0
63984 tn?1385437939
You may need a different drug, like Coreg.  Your fast heart beat is compensating, in my uneducated opinion.  I struggle with heart beat, suddenly became between 100-150 from about 70 bpm, and it was trying to get blood to the kidneys and other organs. I developed A-Fib, where the heart quivers, doesn't really beat.  I'd ask you doctor about A-Fib.  In my case it led to a 10 night hospital visit when my kidneys failed.  I'm back to normal, but your heart will defeat drugs if it needs oxygen to the organs.  Keep us informed.
Helpful - 0
976897 tn?1379167602
Metoprolol Tartrate only has a half life of 3-7 hours. So basically, after 3-7 hours you have just 12mg in your blood, then after 6-14 hours 5-6mg which will then slow down in effect. I would ask your DOC if you can split the dosage to
twice a day, or change to another type of medication. I had the same issue as you for years, trying to balance my meds. Finally, we now have the medication to exactly the right amounts. Each morning I now take 2.5mg of Bisoprolol (powerful substitute for your metoprolol) and a 2.5mg of Ramipril (blood pressure meds). I repeat the same procedure in the evening and everything seems stable. If you do decide to go the same route as me, I would recommend starting on 1.25mg of Bisoprolol twice daily because it is powerful. I went to 5mg once and ended up in hospital with very low pressure and pulse and it took 4 days to get everything back to normal again. 1.25mg is a good starting point and definitely will not affect your pressure or pulse to become dangerous.
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Avatar universal
Good idea. I will ask!
Helpful - 0
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