APO-Metoprolol 50mg

APO-Metoprolol general information

What is APO-Metoprolol used for?

APO-Metoprolol tablets 50mg are used treat a variety of conditions of the cardiovascular system including, control of hypertension (high blood pressure) by lowering blood pressure to reduce the risk of complications such as stroke and heart attack; management of angina (chest pain) in patients with heart disease; long-term prevention of myocardial infarction (heart attack); treatment of heart failure to improve survival and quality of life; and control of most forms of arrhythmias and dysrhythmias (irregular heart beat or rhythm) and palpitations.  APO-Metoprolol tablets 50mg are also used for preventing migraine, and as a supplementary treatment for hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).  APO-Metoprolol tablets 50 works through a common mechanism in several different body systems to manage the condition and relieve symptoms by reducing heart rate (pulse), workload on the heart (force needed to pump) and oxygen demand by the heart, which increases blood flow and lowers blood pressure.

How does APO-Metoprolol work?

APO-Metoprolol tablets 50mg contain metoprolol, which is a beta-blocker or selective beta₁-receptor antagonist and acts by blocking the action of chemicals called catecholamines, such as adrenaline (epinephrine), which are released by the adrenal glands in response to nerve stimulation during physical and mental stress.  Adrenaline works via beta-receptors in the heart to stimulate increased heart rate and constriction (narrowing) of blood vessels.  These actions of adrenaline are reduced or inhibited by metoprolol in APO-Metoprolol 50, to slow heart rate, dilate (widen) blood vessels, lower blood pressure, and increase blood flow and oxygen to the heart.  Since beta-receptors are found in many tissues, particularly the heart, kidneys, vascular smooth muscle in blood vessel walls, lung, skeletal muscle and liver, all short-term and long-term symptom relief due to taking APO-Metoprolol tablets 190mg, is based on blocking beta-receptors in the target tissue.  APO-Metoprolol tablets 50mg are formulated for controlled release so that metoprolol is released in a sustained and time controlled manner, to ensure a more even effect over 24 hours, which provides better symptom relief with fewer side effects.

What does APO-Metoprolol contain?

APO-Metoprolol tablets contain the active ingredient metoprolol tartrate50mg, a beta-blocker used to treat variety of conditions of the cardiovascular system and other conditions.  They also contain croscarmellose sodium, colloidal silicon dioxide hypromellose, lactose monohydrate, macrogol 400, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, purified talc, sodium starch glycolate, starch, titanium dioxide.

Treating high blood pressure (hypertension) with APO-Metoprolol

APO-Metoprolol tablets 50mg contain metoprolol, a beta-blocker that acts by blocking the action of chemicals called catecholamines, such as adrenaline (epinephrine), which are released by the adrenal glands in response to nerve stimulation during physical and mental stress.  APO-Metoprolol tablets 50mgare used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) by widening blood vessels, reducing heart rate (number of heart beats) and reducing the force of the heart contraction.  These actions lower blood pressure and help the heart to cope better reducing the risk of complications such as stroke and heart attack, due to high blood pressure.  APO-Metoprolol tablets 50mg also reduces the rise in blood pressure occurring in response to exercise.

APO-Metoprolol for heart disease

APO-Metoprolol tablets 50mg contain metoprolol, a beta-blocker that acts by blocking the action of chemicals called catecholamines, such as adrenaline (epinephrine), which are released by the adrenal glands in response to nerve stimulation during physical and mental stress.  Metoprolol in APO-Metoprolol tablets 50mg works through a common mechanism in several different body systems to manage the condition and relieve symptoms by reducing heart rate (pulse), workload on the heart (force needed to pump) and oxygen demand by the heart, which increases blood flow and lowers blood pressure. These actions help the heart to cope better, reducing symptoms of breathlessness on exertion and reducing the risk of complications such as stroke and heart attack.  APO-Metoprolol tablets 50mg are used to treat a variety of conditions of the cardiovascular system to improve survival, reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life in patients with heart disease.  These include, control of hypertension (high blood pressure) by decreasing peripheral resistance; management of angina (chest pain) by reducing the oxygen demand by the heart due to reduced heart rate and contraction of the heart muscle; long-term prevention of myocardial infarction (heart attack) and reduced incidence of recurrence of non-fatal myocardia; regulating heart rate to control arrhythmias; and treatment of heart failure. 

What are the side effects of APO-Metoprolol?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking APO-Metoprolol tablets 50mg include tiredness, headache, dizziness, orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure when you change position) cold hands and feet, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, constipation, palpitations, weight gain, sleep disturbances or nightmares, shortness of breath on exertion, mood changes or confusion. 

When should APO-Metoprolol not be used?

You should not use APO-Metoprolol tablets 50mg if you:

• are allergic to metoprolol or any ingredients in APO-Metoprolol
• are pregnant or breast feeding, without discussion with your doctor
• have liver disease, without discussion with your doctor
• have a history of obstructive lung disorder, bronchial asthma or bronchospasm
• are diabetic and taking hypoglycaemic therapy, without discussion with your doctor as metoprolol may prolong the hypoglycaemic response to insulin
• have, poor peripheral blood circulation, uncontrolled heart failure, low blood pressure (hypotension)
• have a phaeochromocytoma (a rare tumour of the adrenal gland) which is not already being treated with other medicines
• have certain other heart problems
• are taking medication that may interact with APO-Metoprolol, including: other medicines for high blood pressure; angina or an irregular heartbeat such as calcium channel blockers (diltiazem, verapamil, and nifedipine), antiarrhythmics like amiodarone, disopyramide and quinidine, digoxin and nitroglycerin for heart failure; other beta-blockers, including eye drops; the antibiotic rifampicin; adrenaline for emergencies like anaphylaxis; monoamine oxidase inhibitors; antiinflammatories like ibuprofen or indomethacin; cimetidine for reflux and ulcers; chlorpromazine for psychiatric disorders, insulin for diabetes, the anesthetic lidocaine. 

What medications interact with APO-Metoprolol?

Several medications interact with APO-Metoprolol tablets 50mg and should either not be taken while you are taking APO-Metoprolol or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with APO-Metoprolol: calcium channel blockers like diltiazem, verapamil, and nifedipine
• Drugs that affect APO-Metoprolol: antiarrhythmics like amiodarone, disopyramide and quinidine, digoxin and nitroglycerin for heart failure; other beta-blockers, including eye drops, the antibiotic rifampicin; adrenaline for emergencies like anaphylaxis; monoamine oxidase inhibitors; antiinflammatories like ibuprofen or indomethacin; cimetidine for reflux and ulcers; chlorpromazine for psychiatric disorders. 
• Drugs that are affected by APO-Metoprolol: insulin for diabetes, the anesthetic lidocaine

How should APO-Metoprolol be taken?

You should take your APO-Metoprolol tablets 50mg with a glass of water, swallowed whole, once daily at the same time each day preferably with the morning meal.  You should take APO-Metoprolol tablets according to your doctor’s recommendations and the number of tablets you take each day, how often you take them and for how long depends on the condition you are being treated for.  The dose you are taking may be increased by your doctor.  You should continue to take your APO-Metoprolol tablets 50mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, as they will help control your symptoms but will not cure your condition.  If you are advised to stop taking them, withdrawal should be gradual and treatment should not be discontinued abruptly.  

How long should you take APO-Metoprolol?

You should continue to take your APO-Metoprolol tablets 50mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, as they will help control your symptoms but will not cure your condition.  If you are advised to stop taking them, withdrawal should be gradual and treatment should not be discontinued abruptly.  

Missed dose of APO-Metoprolol

If you miss a dose of APO-Metoprolol tablets 50mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should APO-Metoprolol be stored?

You should store your APO-Metoprolol tablets 50mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.