Metoprolol and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Mag...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 31, 2019

Metoprolol for High Blood Pressure "I hate this drug. I had been taking 25mg for years along with another blood pressure pill, amlodipine. Worked okay although the metoprolol took me a long time to adjust to. It makes me feel really lousy. The side effects are terrible. Last year I had to have open heart surgery to have my aortic valve replaced. Afterwards, they put me on 100 mg of the metoprolol extended-release. Oh My!! I’ve been on it for 7 months. I might as well be dead. This dosage makes me dizzy, lightheaded, depressed, extremely fatigued, I sleep all day, weight gain, headaches! I took half a pill each day for a few days and actually felt better. I hate this drug. I’m going to tell my cardiologist to lower my dosage way back or I’m just going to stop taking it. I feel worse than I have ever felt in my life. But hey, my BP and pulse are great!"

• Don...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 9, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "Good quality of life one year ago. Had plenty of energy and was mentally sharp. One year later I feel horrible fatigue, loss of strength, dizziness, vision issues, loss of balance, no sex drive, and more. This drug was killing me. Stopped taking it and finally started to feel normal again. Naturally, my MD was upset I did it on my own. Do not take this drug."

• Sun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2021

Metoprolol for High Blood Pressure "My blood pressure and heart rate went up several times during the winter storm in Houston, so I went to the emergency room and got put on this awful medicine. I started off on long-acting, felt horrible, got put on fast-acting and still feel bad. I have just about every symptom they have on their page - weakness, fatigue, dizziness, itchy skin, off-balance, panic attacks, can't sleep, blood pressure drops low, pulse drops too low, joint pain, muscle aches, hair coming out, headaches, scalp hurts to even gently pull my hair, etc. I go to the doctor soon, I have to get off this stuff. I feel horrible, no energy, and I have a 6-month-old to look after."

• Deb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 5, 2021

Metoprolol for High Blood Pressure "I was on Toprol-XL and experienced many of the 41 side effects listed on the website but not included with the warning label. I experienced nausea, diarrhea, heartburn, dry mouth, drowsiness, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, lightheadedness, cold feet & hands, shortness of breath, wheezing, fluttering heartbeat, shortness of breath with mild exertion, dizziness, loss of appetite. I went to the doctor and ER several times fearing a heart attack but was found to be in good health. No one knew what was wrong until I researched and found all my symptoms under this medication. I stopped 2 days ago and blood pressure is now normal and most symptoms have gone away and improving. It takes about 7 days to feel normal per the website. I will NEVER take this medication again. Be careful, the side effects mimic other potential health issues. See your doctor and seriously look up side effects of Toprol-XL. A very nasty medication!"

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 31, 2019

For Atrial Fibrillation "Worst experience with a drug in my lifetime. After my first AFib attack, I was prescribed this drug. Could only handle it for two weeks at 25mg twice a day. Felt listless, had headaches, skin turned blue, experienced buzzing in my ears, felt fatigued, had to be very careful while driving, heart rate went down to 64 (felt like a Zombie). Finally coming off it and withdrawals are as bad as the side effects. Don't recommend it to anyone!"

• Lyn...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 18, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I had extreme high blood pressure and arrhythmia. My ears were ringing, and I had blackouts. I was told my insurance will only cover the metoprolol XL 200 mg. I only take a half every day, so 100 mg, and I'm always tired and have to drink Red Bull to drive, so it's defeating the purpose. I am a 30-year-old woman and have gained around 40 pounds on this medication. I was never told this would happen, and when I go to the doctor, they just say exercise, well, I do. It's the medicine, not me. I have swollen ankles and, worse, a giant water belly, it's high up and awkward and has ruined my life. It made me buy plus-size clothes and wrap it up like a wound. It's big and swollen. I'm quitting this rubbish today."

• Chi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 13, 2019

Metoprolol for High Blood Pressure "My blood pressure (BP) since 2017 ablation and hybrid maze has been 130/90 heart rate 50 before 2 x Tikosyn, 1 x 50mg Metoprolol. I take the drugs 1 hour apart, as soon as I take the Metoprolol BP goes to 165-180/130-120, heart rate 60-70. I feel dead, fatigue, to the point of falling asleep, sedentary, short of breath...in other words all the symptoms described by all. My EP doctor said to increase the Metoprolol to 1 x 100mg, I told him my cardiologist suggested to take two 50mg when my rate increased as needed. He said to make an appointment to see the cardiologist who has known my condition for 2 months. The cardiologist said BP is not that high and recommended no changes. I am besides myself and have lost faith in my Cardiology Clinic."

• Hap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 20, 2014

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "I started having really bad tachycardia episodes, and my primary doctor tried to convince me it was anxiety. After lots of tests and wearing a heart monitor for a month, my cardiologist said I had Supraventricular Tachycardia, and I was put on metoprolol 12.5mg twice a day. It's great! I haven't felt this calm and comfortable in years! Doctors really need to stop assuming that anxiety is the diagnosis of everyone's problems. There's a bit of drowsiness and fatigue in the beginning, but that goes away as your body gets used to it. I am very happy with this medication."

• gre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2022

For Atrial Fibrillation "About 2 months ago, I started having issues with my heart beating fast and many more symptoms. 2 weeks ago, my new heart doctor (never had to go to one before) put me on 100 mg metoprolol right off the bat. The first day I literally passed out. I called my doctor, and he bumped me down to 50 mg. I've only been taking 25 mg. Every day I take it around noon, and within 2 or 2 1/2 hours, I can feel when it kicks in fully. My side effects I've experienced so far are: extremely fatigued, heart feels like it's beating out of my chest, nightmares, intimacy issues, vertigo, constantly feeling sick like I'm going to pass out, weak, tired, feet are freezing, and I have trouble sleeping. I go to the doctor in 3 days, and I'm going to inform him (even more than I already have) that I want off this medicine. I'm hoping to figure out the cause of my original problem and how to fix it, since instead of one issue, I now have about 12 issues daily. I would never suggest this medicine to anyone, it is absolutely horrible."

• MJE...
• October 3, 2016

Metoprolol for High Blood Pressure "Metoprolol 75mg daily. Dizzy & off-balance, nausea, weight gain, joint pain, extreme fatigue with breathlessness, hair loss. I accidentally cut down on taking it when I had the flu. Lost 10 lbs due to hardly eating for 1 1/2 weeks. Noticed that I was thinking more clearly, had no nausea, joint pain was pretty much gone, and I had more energy. Checked BP, and it was still in the normal range. Am weaning myself off and am down to 25mg daily as I continue working to diet. Easier to lose weight now, too. I can breathe much more normally now and have better balance."

• Ano...
• April 26, 2012

Metoprolol for Atrial Fibrillation "I've been on Flecainide for 12 years for A-fib but have recently been having more and more episodes. So my cardiologist also prescribed metoprolol (the smallest dose possible - 1/4 of a 25mg tablet twice daily - due to my being very sensitive to other beta blockers). My blood pressure dropped (wasn't high in the first place) and my heart rate dropped to the mid/low 40s. I was also very light-headed, had low energy, some shortness of breath, and sometimes nausea. Discontinued (by doctor) after one week."

• Sem...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 31, 2018

Metoprolol for Supraventricular Tachycardia "Oh man, where do I begin. I am female, 52 years old, and I take 75 mg of Metoprolol a day. I have been on them for 5 years. It does a very good job of keeping my heartbeat in the 50s and 60s when resting, but it goes up too high when I get up in the morning to take a shower. I was 165 pounds when I started taking the pills, and now I am 216 pounds. It has terrible side effects like feeling very fatigued, being unable to think clearly, shortness of breath, my libido has disappeared completely, chest tightness, constipation, and blurry vision. I saw my cardiologist three weeks ago, and he is talking about doing a maze procedure. I am at a point where I would do anything to get off of the Metoprolol."

• bob...
• July 29, 2007

Metoprolol for High Blood Pressure "I was prescribed Toprol-XL 25mg, 1x/day, as part of a long-term treatment for elevated (but not high) blood pressure. I found a distinct and bothersome reduction in my energy levels and focus. I have been taking 25mg daily of DHEA and find that blood pressure levels and pulse rate levels remain lowered, but energy, focus, and some vague emotional benefits are noticeable."

• Lym...
• September 28, 2019

For Atrial Fibrillation "My father (age 93) was prescribed metoprolol after getting a pacemaker due to fainting episodes. He discontinued lisinopril six months ago. His blood pressure was never high and was always on the low side. A couple of years ago, his walking strength and balance started to decline, with a quick decline in the last three months. He also started to have short-term memory problems in the last few months. His blood pressure has sometimes been 85:55 or 100:60 - rather low. Another symptom has been needing to get up about 7 times at night, and then feeling fatigue and falling asleep during the day quite a bit. He started melatonin about a month ago to encourage normal sleep but it didn't seem to change the pattern. When he discontinued metoprolol five days ago, there was an immediate change. He has been sleeping through the night, not getting up at all - which he hasn't experienced for months. He also isn't nodding off constantly during the day."

• Tra...
• December 2, 2016

Metoprolol for High Blood Pressure "Wow! I have not been feeling well for a long time. Until Toprol XL 25mg. My head is clear. I can think straight. I don't have any anxiety. My work performance is at its greatest level. Even my sexual drive is back. I get up rested in the morning and feel no fatigue. I don't know about anyone else, but I'm glad to take this medication."

• per...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 19, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "Taken Metoprolol 1/2 25mg twice a day for 2 months for hypertension. Has lowered my BP, but I have lower back pain, extreme fatigue, get lightheaded when doing anything. I don't know how anyone could exercise while taking this. I get winded walking from the car to the store, and gaining weight because of it."

• con...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 26, 2019

For Atrial Fibrillation "I was on metoprolol for 7 years, and right from the start, it affected me badly. My side effects were lightheadedness, brain fog, swelling of feet, numbness in the feet, and extreme exhaustion. I just felt horrible. I told my heart doctor, but to no avail. As time went on, the numbness in my feet and legs got worse. I got sidetracked taking care of my disabled mother and didn't take care of myself. Now, after 7 years, I told my doctor I wanted off. I am off, and the withdrawals are just as bad, if not worse. The numbness in the feet and legs became a lot worse, along with the brain fog. I have AFib and do not know what to do next. I am afraid to take anything."

• DRx...
• December 16, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "Put on this mid-year after a tough year of health issues left me with increased anxiety, HR & BP. Told to expect no side effects. I can directly connect a horrible change in my daily life to this medication. I was told I was in menopause and put on hormones! - Scorching, sweaty, humiliating hot flashes - Debilitating fatigue and brain fog - Insomnia - Zero energy - Gained 20 pounds - Massive Breast ENLARGEMENT! - Awful swelling - Hoarse voice, constant cough - Major depression - Change in eyesight - No interest in life. Ridiculous! All along I thought it was my fault and menopause! Add hormones to that and it's a disaster. I was VERY close to giving up. This medication is old, outdated, and unacceptable."

• DRx...
• December 16, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "Put on this mid-year after a tough year of health issues left me with increased anxiety, HR & BP. Told to expect no side effects. I can directly connect a horrible change in my daily life to this medication. I was told I was in menopause and put on hormones! - Scorching, sweaty, humiliating hot flashes - Debilitating fatigue and brain fog - Insomnia - Zero energy - Gained 20 pounds - Massive Breast ENLARGEMENT! - Awful swelling - Hoarse voice, constant cough - Major depression - Change in eyesight - No interest in life. Ridiculous! All along I thought it was my fault and menopause! Add hormones to that and it's a disaster. I was VERY close to giving up. This medication is old, outdated, and unacceptable."

• WLI...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 15, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "Don't take this medication, it has too many side effects that can harm you. Try to alter your lifestyle and diet. It causes severe stomach pain, fatigue, increased urination, etc. It's best to see a healthcare provider that takes a more holistic approach instead of just pushing pills. Drug representatives give kickbacks to doctors for promoting their medications - even lobster dinners. I know, I've been to some of those dinners. It's a concern that pills are prescribed to so many people with side effects that can be dangerous. You might be better off managing high blood pressure than dealing with potential side effects."

• Fre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 8, 2018

Metoprolol for Supraventricular Tachycardia "I was diagnosed with moderate/severe obstructive sleep apnea and supraventricular 'events' 4 months ago. I was put on a ResMed PAP machine and Metoprolol Succinate ER 25 mg. I have gained 10 pounds. I feel: no energy, chest heavy, heart pumping weak, breathing decreased/light, affect flat, tired, constipated, I can't think. My events are rare now, but I don't know if my events were due to the sleep apnea and if the PAP helped decrease them because I started both med and PAP at the same time. I miss being extroverted, energetic, and outgoing. I don't know if there is any other treatment available. Ablation? I don't like this med."

• Tim...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 2, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I have congestive heart failure, and this drug was prescribed, but my blood pressure was never high. I'm trying to wean myself off of this drug, and as I do, my blood pressure goes down. My heart rate is fine, but my doctor keeps telling me that she wants me to eventually be on 200 mg a day. I can't imagine even being able to function in society if I take 200 mg of this drug. The fatigue is amazing! I sometimes sleep 9 hours a day, and then when I attempt to walk 20 yards, I have to stop. But as I'm weaning myself down to 12.5 mg, my energy is coming back. But I do fear what effect it might have on my congestive heart failure."

• nck...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• May 2, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "Was on 100mg for 5 yrs (+10mg Lisinopril) and my BP was 110/70, so it worked in lowering it from 150+something. However, I had soul-crushing fatigue and a foggy brain and couldn't get through the day. It seriously affected my life. I had trouble regulating my body temperature and was pretty miserable. My heart beat out of my chest when I laid on my left side. I thought these side effects were the result of an acute illness that ended with me having HBP, but it turns out they were from Metoprolol. My doctor switched me to Bystolic 5mg and I felt better within a couple of days! Metoprolol worked to lower my BP, but I didn't like the side effects."

• ind...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 10, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "So, two years ago I went on Effexor/Venlafaxine for anxiety panic disorder. I was on Celexa for 10 years prior, felt it wasn't working. Okay, so my dose was upped to 150 mg of Effexor and I ended up in emergency with my heart at 180 beats per minute. They slowed it down after two shots of two different meds and I was put on metoprolol at the hospital. Not thinking it was Effexor that it just happened and got all tests done saying I had benign supraventricular tachycardia. My BP was high, I decided to get off Effexor, which was awful, not even close to an exaggeration. My BP dropped back to normal and so did everything else. I am off of metoprolol because I was on 50 mg in the AM and PM and after I got off of Effexor it made my blood pressure very low and heart rate very low as well. I was getting really dizzy and had to lay down because everything was spinning. After I stopped, it all went away. Crazy ride. I can't live like that, no orgasms, depressed and sad, no motivation on metoprolol, weak, no energy. Pass."

• Ram...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 2, 2020

Metoprolol for High Blood Pressure "I have been taking Metoprolol Tartrate 50 mg BID for 10 years. Experiences are: heart does not always rest long enough between beats, lack of sleep, memory loss, headaches, white pimple in mouth (just started a month ago), runny nose, tiredness, low energy, constipation, shortness of breath while resting, hypertension, and aching feet. I will be 77 a few days from now. Found an OTC that can replace this drug, but must go off very slowly. All in all, this drug is now too strong for me as I will be talking with my heart doctor very soon."