Metoprolol and potassium
Common Questions and Answers about Metoprolol and potassium
toprol
I am a 60 year old female who takes metoprolol 50 mg for high blood pressure. Ever since I started taking this medication, I have a tendency to have "heart flutters" off and on throughout the day...usually just one or two "thu-thumps" each time. I find that if I eat a banana in the morning and one in the evening it cuts down these "flutters" at least 75%.
Hi,
Even my issue is the same. I am on Metoprolol 25mg from 1 year and before my potassium level was 4.3 and now it has gone up to 4.9. Can you please guide me what you did after that?
Underlying cause can be excessive potassium intake, disturbed cellular uptake of potassium, or impaired renal excretion of potassium.
My system is periodically tested to monitor renal excretion of potassium as well as liver functionality. An ACE inhibitor as well as a beta blocker can raise potassium to an abnormal level.
Hyperkalemia has been reported in 1.3% (serum potassium greater than 6.0 mEq/mL) to 10% (greater than 5.3 mEq/mL) of patients.
I am not aware of tight calves and joint pains being common side effects of metoprolol. Checking other electrolyte levels, specifically the calcium and sodium levels, should also be done.
These options should be discussed with your personal physician.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patients education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
www.
I read with interest your comments on potassium. My blood tests were okay for calcium, magnesium and potassium, but my cardio said to take a calcium/magnesium supplement (2 times as much calcium as magnesium and not a high dosage of either one. I eat a potato and banana each day, so he said that should be enough potassium. So, I'm experimenting. I'll probably have another Holter one of these days, since it's been over a year.
You may be having an interaction between the Prozac and the Metoprolol Tart. Usually they work together fine if you increase slowly on one or the other, but sometimes you'll have to switch to another SSRI. How long have you been taking them together?
Also, have you had a CBC test done recently? Do you know what your potassium levels are? I have atrial fibrillation in my family.
Make sure that you take enought potassium and magnesium in the diet. Those get depleted fast when you cut down on your calories and exercise a lot. Don't be afraid of the AF. As long as you stay on the coumadin the risk of stroke is very low. the Flec isn't dangerous. Make sure your doctor looks at you ECG about 7 to 10 days after starting the med. Your blood pressure is ok. It should get better with exercise and weight loss. You have a good attitude and are on the right path.
In 2014 I had arrhythmia from low potassium (2.4). The ER was able to convert it and have not had another episode since that time. The ER recommended I start seeing a cardiologist. At the time I was on 10 mg of enalapril twice a day. My pulse was high (90) and the doc recommended starting a low dose of Metoprolol (12-1/2 mg twice a day). This brought my pulse down to mid 60's. I was also prescribed (in the ER) 10 meq of potassium twice a day I assume for the rest of my life.
I started Biking doing 60 miles a week after two years of Biking I started getting PVCSI have had them on and off I started feeling bad shortness of breath went to the Heart Doctor first put me on Metoprolol SUCC ER 25 MG did not help I was taking Potassium with Magnesium also still not feeling well went to pick up RX and was told your Doctor changed your Potassium to KLOR- CONM20 he said it was the same as Potassium still feeling bad worst went back to Doctor now he put me on FLECAINIDE50 MG t
Anybody out there ever go from Atenolol, to Metoprolol..and actually LIKE it?? Ever have this sensation of knowing when its wearing off? I hate that.
I have had increased blood pressure and heart rate over the last several months and my doctor put me on Toprol XL 25mg. Now I am having severe pain in my right knee which goes down into my ankle causing sharp pain. Could this problem be caused by the medication I am taking for my BP? I am taking the generic form, Metoprolol ER. Thank you.
Hi. I too have had PSVT my whole life. As I get older (i'm 52), the episodes are more frequent and are harder to stop. My cardio said this is typical.
I'm scheduled for an ablation and am wishing there was an alternative. I take 2 metoprolol in the am and 1 in the pm. Doc says I can only increase it to 2 and 2, that's it. Anyone know of an alternative to ablation?
My episodes last about 30-45 minutes and only stop because I take 1 or 2 beta blockers during the episode.
I have been on Toprol XL and now the metoprolol( generic for toprol) for about 12 years. I have had no side effects from it. I am older than you (67 now) however I have walked 8-10 miles a day for 30 plus years.. I now usuallly walk 4 miles per day and ride a recumbuent stationay bike 10-12 miles a day with lots of tension or resistance on it.. Plus after I retired in 1996, I had a farm for about 8-9 years and did lots of hard physical work on it..
had PVCs and PACs for years...on Metoprolol.... so that usually controls them very very well...but yesterday I felt ill all day...stomach ache...nausea...diarhea...terrible upset in the stomach with gas...and suddenly on came the palpitations. They were horrible! I tolerated them all day long. Finally had to do something about the stomach..took alka seltzer..and the palpitations were gone within an hour!!!!
Weird!
So...havent eaten..havent really had enough fluids..
With regards to minerals, I would suggest that a healthy and natural diet with good sources of potassium and magnesium often help decrease palpitations- my blood tests always come back normal as well, but I know from trial and error that potassium specifically helps decrease my episodes. I try to eat a decent amount of fruit, drink V8 juice etc...
My husband was on metoprolol for hypertension, and though it is considered OK for patients with liver disease, he has since been switched to nadolol (a non-selective beta-blocker) at the recommendation of his hepatologist because nadolol has the additional benefit of reducing portal hypertension.
s i thing he passed down i lost 20 pounds i gain 10 back loss of appetite red eyes dry mouth muscle twitches back pain arm pain rarely head ache rarely and much more im been on metoprolol it scares me because it can rise potassium im going to ask my doctor to wean me off it im scared to eat a banana thats how bad it is my doctor doesnt thing it pots because he said only 12-14 yr old get it how ridiculous i almost just walk out im was flushing over stimulated with anger over stimulated know nothi
I had an ER visit 3 weeks ago due to a near syncope event and they gave me phos-nak as my phosphate and potassium levels were low. Has anyone tried this? It is available OTC and I thought it might be helpful. Any information would be most appreciated. I feel like my heart is just going to stop anytime and I'm so tired of being frightened. Please help...
Hi,
I'm glad that the Lopressor (metoprolol) work great for you!!! Can I know why you take it?
What I understand is that beta blocker have usually mild side-effects when they are give to people with high blood pressure... BUT in my case, my blood pressure is lower to normal only and rarely in the high range (only when i'm in a middle of a panic attack or in a situation where I feel trap).
Metoprolol is a class II beta blocker while Sotolol is a class III agent that kind of straddles the fence between a beta blocker and a potassium channel blocker. I think of Metoprolol as the Tic-Tac of blocking agents. It's easily tolerated by most people. When Sotolol is first administered, patients are often monitored in a hospital for a few days to make sure it doesn't do anything "funny".
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