Metoprolol and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 2)

• scr...
• August 26, 2010

For High Blood Pressure "I began taking metoprolol about 2 months ago, 25 mg daily. I had a hard time getting used to it. Stupidly, I stopped taking it after the first week, I ended up feeling so bad I had to go to the ER. Since then, all my problems have been side effects. A few hours before I am to take my next dose, I begin to feel depressed, very cranky, and angry, and generally just awful. Once I take the medicine, though, those feelings tend to go away. It also upsets my stomach, and I have had a mild loss of appetite. I have also noticed that some foods taste different. I am also having a problem staying asleep, but I seem to fall asleep easily. So I am up and down all night. I am not happy on it, so I will be asking my doctor for something else."

• Sca...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 30, 2021

Metoprolol for High Blood Pressure "DON'T TAKE THIS POISON!!! I was on it only 2 months. Weaned off as directed after experiencing horrible side effects (fatigue, shortness of breath, bloating/gassy, weight gain, joint pain, limb swelling, facial swelling) and went through an absolute nightmare getting off of this drug. I had severe panic attacks, anxiety attacks, depression, insomnia, arrhythmia, vagus nerve dysfunction, and chest vibrations. It has been 8 months since I discontinued this awful drug, and the arrhythmia continues on a regular basis. I never had any palpitations or arrhythmias ever in my life until I took Toprol, and now it's a daily problem. I fully regret ever taking Toprol. It was nothing but bad from the very first pill....."

• JZa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 15, 2021

Metoprolol for High Blood Pressure "Was on it 25 mg for 4 years for BP and after getting a stent @ 62 yrs. It wasn’t a good match with my system. Restricted breathing, insomnia, exercise intolerance, extreme fatigue, borderline depression. Slowed me down so much I lost interest & energy for doing anything. Felt like I had an Ace bandage wrapped around my chest. My BP was only 140/80 before. After was about 128/65. I’ve been exercising for 14 years. Side effects outweighed the benefit. I switched to Bystolic today ($120/90 day supply). Wish me luck. If this 2nd beta blocker doesn’t work with my system, my next move is to switch to amlodipine; I’ll be going to a calcium channel blocker."

• McG...
• March 7, 2017

For Angina "This drug has literally changed my life in a very short time. I was having horrible chest pains, with a mixture of general anxiety due to work/home stress. The cardiologist found the source of my chest pain is a narrowed subclavian artery. The chest pain completely stopped within 24 hours. The only real side effect is difficulty sleeping if instructed to take it at night. I switched to taking it first thing in the morning, and I now sleep like a baby. I give it a 9/10 solely for that side effect. I did feel very lethargic when I first took it, but that went away completely after 2 days or so once my body got used to the meds. I feel much more calm than I did before, so this medication has really changed the way I feel. Improvement is noticeable."

• Lis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I have just started metoprolol for migraines, and it seems to be working. I split a 25 mg into morning and evening. I have had trouble sleeping and am considering taking only in the morning. The dosage is so low my blood pressure is relatively unaffected."

• mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I had open-heart surgery for anomalous origin of the right coronary artery, and they gave this medication plus a plethora of others, and this one is the worst I’ve ever had. It gets aches and can’t sleep (it’s a quarter to 5 am because I can’t sleep right now). I also feel cold even when I’m sweating! I hate this drug and will stop cold turkey. The doctor said I need it, but I’d like to see her try it and endure the side effects."

• The...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 28, 2020

For Heart Failure "So I've been on metoprolol for over a year. Not knowing until very recently that this medicine has been giving me horrible side effects the entire time. Within the last 6 months, those side effects worsened to the point of dropping my BP so low that I felt dumb or slow, confused, couldn't think straight, almost in a dream-like daze. Problems sleeping, anxiety went through the roof, panic attacks multiple times a day, pain in my chest, pain in my arm, short of breath laying down, just all the way around feeling OFF. Would give this medicine 0/10, also, I only take 25 mg, and this medicine seems to very dramatically affect me when I mess with the dosing. Also, it has been dropping my BP to 80/60, and when that happens is when all of the symptoms get exaggerated."

• TMM...
• April 3, 2014

For Mitral Valve Prolapse "I started taking 50 mg of Toprol after being admitted to the hospital 6 days ago. I was told I had mitral valve prolapse and that I needed to take 50 mg daily. It has helped in slowing my rapid heartbeat down, but the side effects have almost been unbearable. I have hardly slept, after taking the medicine, I get short of breath and feel like I'm having an anxiety attack, and I take the medicine at bedtime. In the mornings, when I wake for the first two to three hours, I feel shaky, sweaty, nauseous, and extremely dizzy. My regular MD took me down to 25 mg once daily, and I still can't sleep and feel anxious. This is the first day taking 25 mg, so we'll see how I feel in the morning."

• Kas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 16, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I started taking metoprolol one month ago, and everything was going good until a couple of weeks ago. I started having vivid dreams, insomnia, numbness in the extremities, tingling, and burning on my face and legs. I called my provider, and he wanted me to come in to get a blood pressure check because of the numbness in my left hand. My blood pressure was within normal range, and so was my pulse. My provider decided to keep me on the medication because it was lowering my BP and pulse. I go back in two weeks, but I’m going to recommend he prescribe me something else. Help."

• Anonymous
• February 1, 2010

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "I always have a super high pulse, and the last time I went to the doctor, he prescribed me this to lower it and prevent migraines. I've been on it for almost a month now at 25 mg once daily. During the day, I feel tired and have this gross heavy feeling in my chest. I also can't sleep at night anymore. I'm going back to the doctor in a few days to try to switch to something else."

• pab...
• April 7, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "I took way too much nasal decongestant. My blood pressure and heart rate were shooting through the roof, and I could not sleep at all for 3 days, so the doctor put me on 25 mg once a day, and wow! What a difference! Like night and day, calm anxiety too, but I have trouble sleeping sometimes."

• Rob...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 24, 2024

For Heart Failure "I want to say this medicine is by far one of the best medicines out there. My dad was on this medicine for years before he passed away. I wished he was on this sooner, and I believe it would have helped him a lot more. If it wasn't for Metoprolol ER, I believe my dad would have died sooner. To all of the people that are complaining about this and that, maybe you shouldn't take yourself off your medication without talking to your doctor, that's why they are your doctor. My dad had a lot of problems with his heart prior to taking this medicine, like AFib, fast heart rate that was caused by another heart medication. They took him off of that medication and put him back on Metoprolol ER and noticed a big difference: no more AFib, no more fast heart rate, no more angina, lower blood pressure. People complain too much, and I get everybody's body is different, but he never experienced not sleeping or heating up, as some people say, or fast heart rate. Don't go off your medication without your doctor."

• Anonymous
• September 3, 2009

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "I have had low blood pressure (I normally have high blood pressure), and my mind feels fuzzy and can't concentrate while taking it. I also have insomnia. I have only been on it 11 days. I hope most of these side effects lessen over time."

• COW...
• February 8, 2016

For Atrial Fibrillation "My husband has congestive heart failure. Was admitted to the hospital with fluid on his heart and lungs 2 weeks ago. He had never experienced AFIB before. He has been on Atenolol for 13 years with blood pressure controlled. While in the hospital, his monitor started showing AFIB, so they stopped Atenolol and started Metoprolol. He has been weak for several years due to CHF. Now he is combative, not sleeping, and talking in his sleep. But he remembers none of it. Is this part of the drug's side effects? Or due to the fact that the CHF is much worse and he is facing hard reality? Any suggestions or ideas will be helpful. Calling the cardiologist tomorrow."

• Sun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2016

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "I was put on this medication for trigeminis and couplets that were picked up after a 24-hour Holter monitor. I have had so many side effects, e.g., insomnia, migraines, sexual dysfunction, sweating, and possibly more. It did, however, stop my heart from going crazy, but I can't deal with the side effects. The doctor advised I can go off them."

• Ano...
• May 22, 2025

For High Blood Pressure "Works well for blood pressure, heart no longer races: resting HR used to be 90-110. After 2 months, I started having trouble staying asleep. I dozed off frequently at work, always felt tired. Almost fell asleep driving several times. Complained to my cardiologist, who didn't believe that metoprolol can cause insomnia. I will switch back to lisinopril and live with the high pulse rate."

• Cur...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 5, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I had taken Metoprolol for months and noticed it wasn’t doing as good a job at blood pressure control as Bystolic, and then as I increased the dosage to compensate, the side effects started. The anxiety was unreal! I had been treated for afib, and soon after Cryoablation, the afib was back. I really think after reading these reviews that Metoprolol is to blame. I have been off of it now for 2 days and am back on Bystolic and still have some anxiety and palpitations, but they seem to be slowly subsiding. Don’t use this blood pressure medication if you want to keep your sanity. I also want to note that I had extreme trouble sleeping while on Metoprolol. I’m never trying any other beta blocker but Bystolic."

• gra...
• June 1, 2009

"I have hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and take metoprolol twice a day to keep my heart rate lowered and blood pressure down. It does the job well, but the side effects are rough to handle sometimes. Such as dizziness, sleepless nights, daytime drowsiness, forgetfulness, and depression, but I'm still coping after about four years, and I guess on for the rest of my life. But if I can manage after three brother suicides, then so can you."

• meb...
• February 22, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "This medicine did lower my blood pressure, but the side effects were horrible. It caused hair loss, skin rash, weight gain, insomnia, tiredness, dizziness, and depression."

• Jay...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 29, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I had many side effects: anxiety, cold limbs, insomnia and nightmares, rash, and headache."

• Anonymous
• September 9, 2010

Metoprolol for High Blood Pressure "Took it 2 times and it gave me chest pain, nervousness, and could not sleep. Stopped taking it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 29, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "In my opinion, this is the worst blood pressure medication ever! I experienced palpitations that were really scary, as well as insomnia due to the sudden palpitations."

• Edu...
• December 7, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "Works too well for me, average BP is 100/60, P-60. Only negatives for me are lack of energy and endurance, restless sleep, daytime sleepiness."

• Tan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2020

For Heart Failure "I'm on this metoprolol for viral heart failure, and this medication is giving me panic attacks, a low heart rate, very low BP, sweating, can't sleep, itching, a very scary feeling."