Quiting Metropolol

[simplycurious]

I had been on Metoprolol 50 mg twice daily since April 2005. For the past 7 months I have been exercising, lost weight and gotten other benefits from exercising. Because of being in better condition than before, the Metoprolol had been causing a lower heart rate so I started splicing the pills in half thus taking 25 mg twice daily over the past 2 or more months. Today, after a regular visit to my doctor he told me I could STOP taking the Metoprolol completely. I asked him if I should be "weaned" off it and he said "no your heart is fine". I'm still quite skeptical about quiting "cold turkey". Should I wean myself off anyhow by splicing the 25 mg in half and eventually stopping all together? I'm just a bit concerned about quitting this drug "cold turkey" as my doctor stated.

P.S. My doctor has records of an EKG and ECG taken back in January of this year which I was told are fine.

[semicolon07]

My doctor has had me go from 100 to 50mg and didn't have any problems. But then again, I have no side effects from Metoprolol and I no many people do. I guess what I am saying is everyone reacts different to meds.
If it were me, and my heart rate wasn't to low, I would cut the 25's in half for a couple of weeks and then stop.

[Machaon]

Originally Posted by simplycurious

... Today, after a regular visit to my doctor he told me I could STOP taking the Metoprolol completely. I asked him if I should be "weaned" off it and he said "no your heart is fine". I'm still quite skeptical about quiting "cold turkey". ...

There are many cautions regarding unpleasant side effects from withdrawing from Beta Blockers too fast. I wonder why your doctor is unaware of these cautions?

Your heart being "fine" has nothing to do with the possible unpleasant consequences from quiting Metoprolol too fast and not allowing your hormonal system to gradually recover.

I take the Beta Blocker Coreg (Carvedilol), and have been adjusting the dosage, either higher or lower, in search of the most effective dose with the least amount of side effects. When I reduce the level, I experience higher blood pressure, additional breathing problems and heart rate problems, so I am very cautious regarding how fast I reduce the dosage.

It's nice hearing about a someone who has exercised their way towards better health! Congratulations on the success of your weight lifting, exercise program!

[JJ]

Three years ago I was on Atenolol, 25mgs. My Dr. upped it to 50 which made me have a very low pulse and always exhausted. After explaining this to him, he added Avapro 150mgs. and had me cut back to 25mgs for 2 weeks and then told me I could just quit the 25mgs., but I felt better splitting them for a week. You really have to go by your own gut feeling and what makes you feel comfortable.

Hubby's Dr. had him up to 100mgs. of Atenolol along with another BP med. and it was brutal. He talked to his cardio Dr. who lowered it to 50 immediately, and he also had no side effects.

If I were you, try splitting the 25 for a week, then you should beable to just quit. Best wishes, and good luck. JJ

[simplycurious]

Thanks all for the input. I have started splitting 25mg in half to gradually allow my system to get used to being without this drug.