Metoprolol for Atrial Fibrillation User Reviews (Page 2)

• Cor...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 26, 2016

"I take Toprol XL at 50 MG for AF. It's been life-changing. Was admitted for irregular heartbeat in 2012. Took some other medications and they made me feel awful. This was the third medication we tried. I've been taking it every day for four years now, and I couldn't be happier. Symptoms are basically gone. A lot of people here report feeling tired, but I don't feel that way at all. I take the pill at night. Maybe that side effect wears off as I sleep? However, I definitely have trouble getting my heart rate up during normal exercise. If you go for more than 30 minutes, though, your heart rate will get up to where it should be while running, cycling, etc. I'm a 44-year-old white male. HANG IN THERE! There are so many ways to treat issues."

• Mik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2022

"I just started metoprolol and I'm not sure what to expect. By the comments I've been reading, I'm scared. I had 2 ablations and just recently saw a new doctor. She gave me many tests for my constant Afib. I'm scared, and I hate feeling like I do. The funny thing is, I have days with no Afib and days with palpitations constantly. Is there any doctor out there that gives a damn? We can send a man to the moon, but we can't cure Afib."

• Bad...
• November 2, 2016

"After 8 hours of fast, irregular beating, I went to the emergency room and was diagnosed with afib, which reverted on its own after a few hours. The doctor prescribed metoprolol ER 25 mg. I tried to give this drug a chance, but it did absolutely nothing to stop subsequent episodes. If anything, they seemed to get worse. It felt like my heart was stopping altogether. I'm a fit 27-year-old with low BP and resting heart rate. Because of this, I have to question the doctor's judgment in prescribing this medication. It brought my BP and heart rate down even further, severely affecting my quality of life. I was constantly lightheaded, foggy, woke up with headaches, etc. Bad decision on his part. Switched to flecainide and feel like myself again!"

• bal...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 6, 2016

"It stopped my PACs (premature atrial contractions). I was on this med for 13 years. Over three years ago, I started having increased muscle weakness, episodes of collapsing or falling without knowing why or even a warning that I was going to fall, extremely dry eyes (OTC eye drops were ineffective), severe muscle spasms, back pain, increased diarrhea, swelling in hands and feet, and pinpoint red spots on my skin. I looked up the side effects of this med, and I had 24 of the adverse effects! I had become so weak that I had to use 2 walking sticks, could hardly get in or out of bed, couldn't walk 100 ft. I quit taking this med, which I thoroughly believe was killing me. I have begun to feel much better, regaining some of my muscle strength and having less back pain."

• Sco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 8, 2021

"I have been to three different cardiologists without getting any real answer to my heart problem... I have been taking metoprolol, and it has stopped the palpitations for the most part, but I'm still having dull, sharp chest pains... anyone else going through something similar?"

• D S...
• January 28, 2014

"When I tried Warfarin, I bruised considerably. Switched to a light dose (25 mg) of Metoprolol and have nearly complete relief. The few times a month I feel the heart flutter, I take a second 25 mg. Problem completely solved without the risks of blood thinners. Also, I think blood thinners reduce some of the consequences of atrial fibrillation without reducing the actual flutter."

• old...
• June 5, 2010

"I have atrial fibrillation, inherited it from my mother. I'm 62 now, and VA put me on Warfarin and metoprolol about 6 weeks ago. Seems to be doing the trick, and the only side effect I notice is that if I drink a small glass of red wine, I'll get a headache in the middle of the night. Used to take Advil to shake them, but can't now, and Tylenol does nothing. Tried some beer and no headache. My one vice is my nightly glass of wine, which looks like I'll have to give up and replace with beer once in a while. Oh well, beats the alternative. No other side effects yet. Have had trouble losing any weight, but I attribute that to the state they have me on. Ain't it great growing old?"

• Joe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 12, 2022

"I was having PACs, high BP, and signs of AFib when I was first prescribed this drug. At first, I was a fan. It cleared my symptoms up mostly. My heart would still race occasionally and cause chest pain, but I was glad to be on the medicine. Then the side effects started, and they are scary. I have frequent palpitations at night, nightmares, and sometimes when I'm on the edge of sleep, I have strange attacks. I can't describe it very well, but I feel like my life is fading away. I have to jump up, and when I do, my vision pulses black. After that, every symptom goes away - maybe from the adrenaline of fearing for my life - and I get a good night's sleep. It's still pretty awful. When I don't have the attacks, I don't fall asleep till 5 am."

• Ral...
• May 27, 2016

"With the start of my diagnosis with afib 3 1/2 years ago, I was started on 12.5 mg of metoprolol. From the beginning, I seemed to have been made sicker, e.g., less energy and seemingly more afib. Metoprolol worked against my prostate meds. Had TURP. TURP gave me CHF. While in the hospital, a very old-fashioned heart doctor got me up to 250 mg/day. Lots of its side effects. Stopped it and went to the ER. Went on Coreg. Gave me swelled legs. Back on a low dose of metoprolol. Over time, up to 75 mg of metoprolol. Afib stopped mostly with ICD & 2 ablations. Last straw was numbness in feet and back shooting nerve pain. On carvedilol now and no feet numbness nor back shooting nerve pain. Best I've felt in 3 1/2 years. Only 12.5 mg bid."

• Tat...
• April 19, 2016

"I was switched from Carvedilol after many years to metoprolol ER. I have been on it for over a week and I have been experiencing severe anxiety attacks, tiredness, restlessness, and hell. It really destroys my life, and I am hoping Dr. will prescribe something better."

• coo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 3, 2018

"I had a slight headache on the back of my head and neck, which bothered me. I thought it was sweets, or a diet drink, or my diet. Then, after a month, I went to see a doctor, and her nurse was taking my blood pressure, and it hurt really bad. I told her, she looked and took it again. She turned so I could see my numbers, and I was shocked, the top number was 209. I don't remember what the bottom number was. I called the doctor that had prescribed the metoprolol, and he told me to get off it. It took 3 to 4 days for it to go back to normal. I do take a blood thinner, I guess that will have to do?"

• rij...
• September 29, 2010

"I am a little tired and forgetful as well. Those seem to be the most common side effects of metoprolol. I also take flecainide, and it has some of the same side effects as metoprolol, so it's hard to tell which medication is causing this. Sometimes a little hard to focus, but together they seem to help with the atrial fibrillation."

• Riv...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 24, 2016

"I am on 50 mg about 6 months now. It took two weeks for me to adjust to the meds. I have had to make serious life changes: no more smoking and drinking. I can't eat food with high salt content because I've noticed my heart rate increases, and I have an irregular heart rate-very uncomfortable-and I watch my sugar intake. I exercise on a regular basis. If I don't work out, I just keep busy, move around, go for a simple walk. The only issue I have is at times my heart rate is low, anywhere from 52-56 bpm when I'm laying down or even sometimes when I go shopping. I notice I have a bit of lightheadedness, dizzy, not sure, but not all the time. The medication works as long as I'm not doing the things that trigger AFib."

• DJZ...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 31, 2015

"Four years ago, I had my first Afib, 200 heartbeats. They kept me overnight with an IV in me and slowed the heart down to about 120. Sometime overnight, it reset itself. I take Metoprolol twice a day, morning and night, and the doctor said if needed, take one more. When I first was taking Metoprolol, I got tired, and it took a few weeks to get over that feeling. But now I don't get tired. My heartbeat is about 65. I do still get Afib, but not as bad as I did. I am 47."

• Gar...
• April 15, 2018

"In the 1st posting, I was raised to 50 mg. After a month, I had 5 attacks of AF, two were pretty heavy duty. So, I raised the medication to 75 mg. I have not had one in over a month. The Dr. raised it to one hundred last week. I feel tired and want to sleep. Hard to get motivated. But if it keeps the AF away, it is ok!"

• Out...
• July 31, 2015

"Started taking this 3 days ago for AF and find that it makes me really tired a few hours after I take it. Bit foggy too and feel a bit nauseous on 1/2 a pill a day. Will see if the side effects go away with time. If not, will need to reconsider with the dr if the benefits outweigh the side effects."

• Cla...
• November 8, 2016

"I recently switched from metoprolol, 1/2 of 25 mg/day to brand name Toprol XL and have found the negative side effects-fatigue, too low blood pressure, dizziness, nausea-to be much less. I still feel a little of that about 12 hours after I take it-I figure that is a slight 'withdrawal' effect, it lasts about 30-45 min. and I don't have it every day. When I took the generic (manufacturer, PAR), I felt on a roller coaster, up and down all day. The time-release delivery feels to be much smoother with the brand name, Toprol-I recommend it. All in all, it works well, keeps my heart in sinus rhythm, but it's a tough drug to have to take."

• Atr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 30, 2022

"Was prescribed this about a year ago for persistent atrial fib, and as soon as taking it, noticed major pain and headaches around temples. I had just had cardioversion done, and after it, these tablets are like poison. My dose of metoprolol is 100 mg a day, and I've had headaches every day for months - very short of breath - spiking blood pressure into the 180s. Been to the hospital on numerous occasions while I was in AF. Told them it was the drug doing these symptoms, I was told it was AF. Now heart is back in sinus rhythm, and symptoms still remain that admit it's the drug's ADRs. Stay clear of this tablet if you can, it was poison to me, especially when using digoxin with it also. They both are serious side effect giving drugs."

• Qsa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 17, 2015

"I have been taking Metoprolol for three years. I had one episode two years ago, went to the ER and it converted with an IV of something. Was up to 170 when I got there. I started taking 25 milligrams of Metoprolol twice a day and a low-dose aspirin once a day. I had another episode last September. They gave me Flecainide (spelling?) and it reversed on its own. The first time, I had a very stressful day, drank a huge amount of coffee, and didn't sleep well the night before. The second time, I mowed both the front and back yard and did five minutes on a stationary bike. Other than that, the Metoprolol has controlled it and I try to avoid stress, sleep well, and don't mow both yards at once. The only side effect I have is fatigue."

• Bea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 22, 2015

"I've been on metoprolol for 6 weeks after an AF episode of 15 hrs, 2 days after a total knee replacement. I was on opioids for pain and never developed constipation. Came off the opioids and find I have diarrhea, which seems to be the medication. I also developed vertigo 10 days ago. It's reduced in severity, but is still hanging around. Again, seems likely to be the medication. Off all things meant to help me sleep, metoprolol has made for some difficult sleepless nights, not something I've ever had before. At the same time, it's controlling my heart rate and BP, and so far no more AF. My first week home from rehab, I also suffered the anxious feeling, which was an unpleasant, crawly feeling in my chest. It seems to work though."

• Dav...
• October 8, 2016

"I have had constant afib for over 2 years, though mostly tolerable. At times, though, I have spells that usually run less than a few minutes with a heart rate of around 190 plus and pain. My worst battle with this level lasted about 15 minutes. I take 50 mg of Metoprolol 2 times a day on a regular basis but add another 50 if I have the biggies, and that settles the heart rate down quickly. Luckily, I have no side effects but would love to find something else that quickly slows the heart rate, mainly to avoid the pain and spooky stuff that goes along with it. I've had 11 angioplasties and 10 stents since 1990 and am 70."

• ril...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 5, 2016

"I was put on metoprolol for SVT and IST after other medications made me worse, dropped my blood pressure too low, etc. Although it never completely dissipated the issues, I was going from everyday occurrences to every 3-6 months between each episode. No problems getting the heart rate up in exercise (still quite the opposite, actually! I can reach 180 bpm after 5 mins). Unfortunately, it didn't stop the progression to AF. After 6 years of SVT and metoprolol, I was further diagnosed with AF. The dosage was increased from 25 mg to 50-75 mg per day. Starting to work a little better now in preventing rapid AF, however, I still get slow AF. Dry mouth, cold extremities, and occasional dizzy spells have been all too common, however, definitely a small price to pay. 28-year-old female."

• Ezp...
• April 18, 2016

"Hard to know if it works, I've been on it for two years following surgery, aortic valve replacement, VSD repair, maze procedure. Two months ago I had an Afib episode. When my heart felt off, this medicine helps control the symptoms, but overall, with the combination of losartan and warfarin, I feel tired, depressed, I'm sun sensitive, get unexplained rashes, have a low sex drive, diarrhea... considering it didn't help relapsing, all I want to do is stop using it."

• Gar...
• February 26, 2018

"I had two stents put in after a heart attack. About three months later, I started getting dizzy, and at times would go down to my knee. I was on 5 mg metoprolol. Then I was put on 25 mg metoprolol and had the same thing going on. So I was put on 50 mg and had one time heavy breathing, but that all went away after 20 minutes. Have been on 50 for 3 weeks, nothing else. Time will tell. I noticed no triggers outside of caffeine."

• Mik...
• September 30, 2015

"I have taken Toprol XL for years for atrial fib and tachycardia. I get very anxious at times without this, and my blood pressure and heart rate will race with the chance it could convert to AF. Lately, however, my heart rate has fallen to the low 40's taking only 10 mg, and my doctor has taken me off it completely. I feel very shaky now. My hands visibly tremble, and I notice I get more of an adrenaline rush when under pressure or fear. I need something to replace this because I don't want to experience AF again, and I need something to calm me down. Any suggestions would be appreciated."