Metoprolol (By injection)
met-oh-PROE-lol
Reduces risk of serious problems caused by a heart attack. This medicine is a beta-blocker.
Drug classes
Antianginal, Antiarrhythmic, Group II, Antihypertensive, Antimigraine, Cardiovascular Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Metoprolol injection is used to reduce the risk of death from an acute heart attack. It is given to people who have already had a heart attack.
This medicine is a beta-blocker. It works by affecting the response to nerve impulses in certain parts of the body, like the heart. As a result, the heart beats slower and decreases the blood pressure. When the blood pressure is lowered, the amount of blood and oxygen is increased to the heart.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Injectable
Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
You might be switched to an oral form of this medicine when your condition allows. Ask your doctor if you have questions about this.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using digoxin (Digitek®, Lanoxin®), dipyridamole (Persantine®), medicine to treat depression (such as bupropion, clomipramine, desipramine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, Paxil®, Wellbutrin®), medicine to treat mental illness (such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, haloperidol, thioridazine, Mellaril®), medicine for heart rhythm problems (such as propafenone, Rythmol®), medicine to treat HIV or AIDS (such as ritonavir, Norvir®), diphenhydramine (Benadryl®), quinidine (Quinidex®), hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil®), or medicine to treat a fungus infection (such as terbinafine, Lamisil®).
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using another blood pressure medicine (such as clonidine (Catapres®), prazosin (Minipress®), reserpine, guanethidine (Ismelin®), hydralazine (Apresoline®), methyldopa, amlodipine, diltiazem, verapamil, Caduet®, Lotrel®), or an ergot medicine (such as ergotamine, Cafergot®, Ergomar®, Wigraine®).
When Not To Use
You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to metoprolol or similar medicines (such as atenolol, propranolol, Bystolic®, Tenormin®). Make sure your doctor knows about any heart or blood circulation problems that you have, because you should not receive this medicine if you have certain problems.
Warnings
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, blood vessel or circulation problems, diabetes, low blood pressure, lung disease (such as asthma), an overactive thyroid, or an adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma). Tell your doctor if you have a history of allergies.
This medicine may worsen the symptoms of heart failure in some patients. Tell your doctor right away if you have more chest pain, trouble breathing, uneven heartbeat, rapid weight gain, or swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs.
Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests.
This medicine may raise or lower your blood sugar level. If you have diabetes, report any changes in your blood sugar levels to your doctor.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
Slow, fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
Trouble breathing, cold sweats, and bluish-colored skin
Unusual bleeding or bruising
Worsening chest pain
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the needle is placed
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Lopressor
There may be other brand names for this medicine.