when is metoprolol used with sotalol

What is the most important information I should know about metoprolol?
• Do not stop taking metoprolol without first talking to your doctor when is metoprolol used with sotalol. Stoppingmetoprolol abruptly may cause your condition to become worse when is metoprolol used with sotalol.
• Call your doctor immediately if you experience shortness of breath when is metoprolol used with sotalol.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities when is metoprolol used with sotalol. Metoprolol may cause dizziness or drowsiness when is metoprolol used with sotalol. If you experiencedizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities when is metoprolol used with sotalol.

What is metoprolol?
• Metoprolol is in a class of drugs called beta-blockers when is metoprolol used with sotalol. Beta-blockersaffect the heart and circulatory system when is metoprolol used with sotalol.
• Metoprolol is used to reduce hypertension (high blood pressure), to treatchest pain (angina), to treat heart failure, and to reduce the risk that a heartattack will recur when is metoprolol used with sotalol.
• Metoprolol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide when is metoprolol used with sotalol.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking metoprolol?
• Before taking metoprolol, tell your doctor if you have
· asthma;
· a heart problem such as low blood pressure, a slow heart rate, heartblock, sick sinus syndrome, a pacemaker, heart failure, and others;
· diabetes;
· depression;
· thyroid disease;
· kidney disease;
· liver disease; or
· any type of circulatory disease when is metoprolol used with sotalol.
• You may not be able to take metoprolol, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove when is metoprolol used with sotalol.
• Metoprolol is in the FDA pregnancy category C when is metoprolol used with sotalol. This means that it isnot known whether metoprolol will harm an unborn baby when is metoprolol used with sotalol. Do not take this medicationwithout first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnantduring treatment when is metoprolol used with sotalol.
• Metoprolol passes into breast milk in small amounts and may affect anursing baby when is metoprolol used with sotalol. Do not take metoprolol without first talking to your doctor ifyou are breast-feeding a baby when is metoprolol used with sotalol.

How should I take metoprolol?
• Take metoprolol exactly as directed by your doctor when is metoprolol used with sotalol. If you do not understandthese instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them toyou when is metoprolol used with sotalol.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water when is metoprolol used with sotalol.
• Take metoprolol with food or immediately following a meal when is metoprolol used with sotalol.
• Do not crush or chew the extended-release tablets and capsules (e.g.,Toprol XL) when is metoprolol used with sotalol. The tablets can be divided in half if prescribed by your doctorand the half tablet should be swallowed whole, without crushing or chewing when is metoprolol used with sotalol. These tablets are specially formulated to release the medication slowly in thebody when is metoprolol used with sotalol.
• Do not stop taking metoprolol without first talking to your doctor when is metoprolol used with sotalol. Stoppingmetoprolol abruptly may cause your condition to become worse when is metoprolol used with sotalol.
• Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat when is metoprolol used with sotalol.

What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember when is metoprolol used with sotalol. If it is almost time forthe next dose however, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularlyscheduled dose when is metoprolol used with sotalol. Do not take a double dose of this medication when is metoprolol used with sotalol.

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention when is metoprolol used with sotalol.
• Symptoms of a metoprolol overdose include a slow heart beat, shortnessof breath, fainting, dizziness, weakness, confusion, nausea, and vomiting when is metoprolol used with sotalol.

What should I avoid while taking metoprolol?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities when is metoprolol used with sotalol. Metoprolol may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and blood pressure changes when is metoprolol used with sotalol. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities when is metoprolol used with sotalol.
• Use alcohol cautiously when is metoprolol used with sotalol. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizzinesswhile you are taking this medication when is metoprolol used with sotalol.
• Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medication beforehaving surgery when is metoprolol used with sotalol.

What are the possible side effects of metoprolol?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takingmetoprolol and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; hives);
· wheezing or shortness of breath;
· an unusually slow or irregular heartbeat;
· swelling of the feet and lower legs;
· leg pain or cramping;
· sudden weight gain (more than 2 pounds in one day or 5 pounds in oneweek);
· chest (heart) pain;
· unusually cold or blue feet and hands; or
· skin rash when is metoprolol used with sotalol.
• If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continuetaking metoprolol and talk to your doctor:
· fatigue or confusion;
· headache or dizziness;
· weak pulse or mildly slow heart rate;
· diarrhea, constipation, gas, nausea, or vomiting;
· depression; or
· nightmares when is metoprolol used with sotalol.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur when is metoprolol used with sotalol. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome when is metoprolol used with sotalol.

What other drugs will affect metoprolol?
• Before taking metoprolol, tell your doctor if you are taking
· a heart medication such as nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), reserpine(Serpasil), verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Isoptin), diltiazem (Cardizem, DilacorXR), clonidine (Catapres), digoxin (Lanoxin), doxazosin (Cardura), guanadrel(Hylorel), prazosin (Minipress), or terazosin (Hytrin);
· a diabetes medication such as insulin, glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase,Glynase), glipizide (Glucotrol), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), or metformin (Glucophage);
· a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin,Advil, others), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), ketoprofen (Orudis,Orudis KT, Oruvail), and others;
· a respiratory medication such as albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil, Volmax,others), bitolterol (Tornalate), metaproterenol (Alupent, Metaprel), pirbuterol(Maxair), terbutaline (Brethaire, Brethine, Bricanyl), or theophylline (Theo-Dur,Theochron, Theolair, others), and others;
· the stomach medication cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB); or
· prescription or over-the-counter cough medicines, cold medicines, ordiet pills when is metoprolol used with sotalol.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with metoprololor affect your condition when is metoprolol used with sotalol. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking anyprescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products when is metoprolol used with sotalol.

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about metoprolol written forhealth professionals that your may read when is metoprolol used with sotalol.

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