Betaloc

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Slower than normal heart beat (bradycardia)

Inability of the heart to pump blood efficiently (heart failure)

Disturbed sleep

Fatigue

Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain

Dizziness

Breathing difficulties due to a narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm)

Cold extremities, eg hands and feet

Rash

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

When taken with other medicines that decrease blood pressure there is an increased risk of a large drop in blood pressure. There may be an increased risk of slow heart rate when metoprolol is taken with digoxin. In diabetic people, metoprolol can prolong the lowering of blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) caused by insulin or other antidiabetic medicines. Individuals should monitor their blood sugar, as metoprolol can also mask the signs of hypoglycaemia. When metoprolol is taken with calcium channel blockers such as verapamil, the risk of slow heart rate, hypotension and heart failure may be increased. Verapamil should be avoided with this medicine. If metoprolol is taken together with clonidine, there is a risk of a rebound increase in blood pressure if clonidine is stopped. Metoprolol should be stopped several days before slowly stopping the clonidine. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as indomethacin may reduce the antihypertensive effects of metoprolol. Care should be taken when adrenaline is given with metoprolol as this combination can cause severely high blood pressure and slow heart rate. Rifampicin increases the removal of this medicine from the body. The use of certain anaesthetics with metoprolol may increase the risk of low blood pressure and slow heart rate. When lignocaine is taken together with metoprolol the blood level of lignocaine may be increased. Anti-arrhythmic medicines such as amiodarone or dipyridamole may increase the risk of slow heart rate when taken with this medicine.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredients

Betaloc-SA	Lopresor	Lopresor SR
Mepranix	Metoprolol Tartrate

<<Go To Page 1

The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use



© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved