Metoprolol and Weight Gain: 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!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 2, 2020

Metoprolol for High Blood Pressure "I’ve been on metoprolol for almost a year now. I am only 24 and high blood pressure runs in my family. My mother had a stroke from high blood pressure, and my grandfather passed from it. I had high blood pressure with my daughter, but it went away after I had her, and then I had my son and it never went away. I was on bystolic, and it worked great for me, but was too expensive. So, I was put on metoprolol 25 mg, and it didn’t really help my blood pressure. I was prescribed a higher dosage to 50 mg. I am constantly tired, I’ve gained weight, and I am having night sweats. If I don’t take it, my heart starts hurting, and I hate it. The only good thing about it for me is that it does help with my blood pressure and my chest pain."

• 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."

• MWa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 25, 2020

Metoprolol for High Blood Pressure "I have been on this drug for 2 years. I have ringing ears, blurred vision, bloated feeling all the time, and gained 15 pounds. I'm going to get off this drug. I have taken 50mg twice a day. The first year I also had dizziness issues when getting up from a lying position. Not to mention diarrhea. This is a horrible drug."

• 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."

• Ter...
• April 2, 2014

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on Metoprolol ER 25mg for 10 months. It has worked great for my blood pressure and I have had no migraines or headaches. I do get really tired in the afternoon, which I never used to. The worst part is I have gained 22 lbs. and nothing I do reduces the weight. I work out 4 times a week, really watch what I eat, and nothing helps."

• mak...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 14, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "At first Metoprolol seemed to work. Blood pressure was down, heart rate 55 beats per minute. The longer I took the drug, the more side effects. At two months, my feet and legs developed tingling and numbness. Then, my fingers and hands developed the tingling. At three months of taking the drug, swallowing became very difficult. Food would get stuck in my throat and I would not be able to talk or dislodge food. Then, the insomnia started. I would wake at about 2 am and not be able to go back to sleep for several hours. Always tired, then would want to eat. I gained 20 pounds in a couple of months. When I would wake in the night because my arms would be asleep, that was the last straw. I stopped taking the drug and got a different prescription."

• 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."

• JJ ...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 24, 2013

Metoprolol for High Blood Pressure "I have been taking Toprol-XL for about 8 years now. I started at 10mg, then 50mg, and now at 100mg. It has brought my blood pressure under control - was 150/80, now at 130/70. Also brought down my heart rate, which was 88 resting to 60 resting. I am a light smoker who has asthma/mild COPD. Metoprolol has shown no effect on these conditions as my PF and FEV1 have not changed. PROS: Reduced blood pressure to normal, reduced anxiety levels. CONS: Tired (mild), weight gain (mild), erectile dysfunction (mild), heart skipping a beat (occasional only and mild)."

• 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."

• Lit...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 11, 2014

For High Blood Pressure "I have most of all the experiences that the gentleman here have/had. I am not having violent dreams, just weird and very vivid. I have been on it for 3 years and like some, since on it, I have not had relations with my wife. I have also gained A LOT of weight. I have gone from a size 32-34 pants to a 50-52 pants. No matter what I do, whether it be diet or exercise or both, my weight keeps climbing. My emotions are all over the place."

• 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."

• RaC...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 19, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "Been on metoprolol for about 3 years. Yes, it's an effective blood pressure lower, but as a woman, I have absolutely no sex drive, have gained about 30 pounds, and cannot get rid of it. I also experience dizzy spells and lightheadedness all the time. Don't know what to do!"

• svt...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2014

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "About 4 months ago, I was finally diagnosed with Supraventricular tachycardia. At first, I was diagnosed with anxiety but knew it had to be something else. Turns out that anxiety is a common symptom of SVT. I was put on Metoprolol 12.5 mg (half 25 mg tab) but had to keep increasing the dosage to now 37.5mg per day. I tried taking it in the morning, but it made me feel weird and my heart felt heavy. I switched to nighttime. It does help me sleep. I was initially tired, but that wore off. No other symptoms other than feeling more at ease and calm. I am a 46-year-old female in pretty good shape... no weight gain like others complained of."

• Beb...
• July 25, 2019

For Premature Ventricular Depolarizations "I have been on metoprolol for about 2 years now. Started at 25 mg once a day and increased now to 75 mg 2 times a day. It helps to control my heart rate and most of my palpitations (to what I now know are PVCs). It controls them for the most part. There are days that the PVCs slip through and my anxiety shoots up. The only 2 side effects I have are dozing off and a lot of weight gain. I'm 41 years old, 5 feet 2 inches tall, 228 pounds now, my highest weight ever, and started pre-menopause."

• szu...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 19, 2016

Metoprolol for Left Ventricular Dysfunction "Just wanted to share my experience getting off Metoprolol ER 25 mg and switching to Diltiazem ER 120 mg. After a pulmonary embolism (no symptoms except PVCs), I suffered PVC with anxiety and panic attacks, even while treating blood clots with Coumadin. I was put on 25 mg Metoprolol ER to help the anxiety and PVCs - it helped immediately. I stayed on several years. I continued the dosage and tried to stay/get in shape. I steadily gained weight, assumed it was age. Exercising felt impossible. After a year or so, I was also having afternoon hypotension upon standing quickly. I developed symptoms of asthma and chest tightness plus fatigue. I was switched to Diltiazem. After 8 days of body adjustment (with a small amount of Ativan for 2 days), I again feel human."

• ray...
• October 30, 2013

For Premature Ventricular Depolarizations "I have PACs and PVCs, mostly related to stress and anxiety. Nothing that was overly concerning. I was medicated because the feeling of the PVCs was interfering with my quality of life. Between metoprolol, antidepressants, and PRN Ativan, I gained 40 lbs in 1.5 years. I got more depressed. I was exercising too. I stopped all meds and had no change despite amping up weights and cardio, no sugar, etc. Nothing. I stopped the metoprolol, and I dropped 16 lbs in 1.5 months. It also causes depression and weight gain as side effects. However, it is effective in treating many other conditions. I do not condone stopping medications without consulting your physician."

• Lau...
• February 5, 2015

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "I was diagnosed with SVT following complications from a vaginal hysterectomy at age 58 (pulmonary embolism, pelvic hematoma, and pneumonia). ER diagnosed it as A-fib; the cardiologist later said SVT following a 48 hr. Holter monitor and echocardiogram. Started me on 25 mg once a day, which I take at night. Have been taking about a month, and it is working well. Heart racing, if I have it, is not noticeable; pounding heart occasionally but tolerable and minor compared to what it was previously. Recommended going up to 50 mg, but I am going to keep trying at this dose longer. No noticeable side effects, no weight gain or sleepiness."

• Jte...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 10, 2012

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "I am 59, and have been on metoprolol since I had an ablation about 5 months ago. I was still experiencing a higher than normal heart rate (lower after ablation, but on the high side) and a high diastolic blood pressure. Metoprolol seemed to lower both numbers initially. I was extremely fatigued and I started noticing weight gain. That weight gain has been 18 pounds in the 5 months following the ablation. Now, none of my clothes fit. I have told my doctor about the weight gain, but he did not seem concerned. I am concerned. Has anyone else had this and were you able to do something about it? Now, the heart rate is starting to increase again."

• kok...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 3, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "Been on metoprolol about 5 years. Gained about 30 pounds, have lost enough hair that you can see my scalp everywhere easily. Have excessive hot flashes to the point I can't house clean without sweat dripping on my glasses and running down my back. Helps BP, though. Am weaning off of it. Taking my BP twice a day. So far, doing good."

• 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....."

• Anonymous
• November 3, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on metoprolol ER 12.5 mg since September 20th. The first month was great, then on October 21st my resting heart rate went from 61 to 70, and when I walk it suddenly goes to 140 for no reason. I work out 6 days a week, and it doesn't make any sense to me. Going back to my doctor tomorrow to figure it out. I just don't see why all of a sudden it would make things 10 times worse. I didn't take it today to see if it would help. I was able to exercise without my heart rate skyrocketing to ridiculous numbers. This is the first medication like this I have ever taken. Plus, the weight gain is ridiculous. I lost 15 lbs before starting this medication, and in less than 2 months, I gained it all back."

• Anonymous
• October 29, 2011

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on some form of metoprolol for seven years. It was actually my first prescribed medication at 28. I never even thought about side effects as being the problems I was experiencing; thought there was always something else that the doctors were overlooking. Now that I have read these comments, I suffer from most of the common ones: tiredness, weakness, trouble losing weight, strange dreams, increased sweating, difficulty breathing, etc. I have had numerous tests off and on for the last two years, and nothing is ever found. I have also since then started taking clonidine and amlodipine. Some of these symptoms are probably drug interactions. I noticed a chaotic heartbeat when clonidine was added to the medicines. It has gotten worse for the past two years."

• Ade...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 10, 2019

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "I have taken metoprolol 50 mg daily for about 6 years. I have not experienced any recurrences of very unpleasant prolonged bouts of tachycardia. The only negative side effect has been a slight decrease in energy and some weight increase, probably due to the lower activity. This seems to be an effective medication for me."

• Son...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2023

For Migraine Prevention "I’ve been suffering from migraine attacks for many years now, and I have tried everything, including amitriptyline, propranolol, and similar medication, but nothing seems to be working. I started taking metoprolol (100 mg) for a month and a bit, but these tablets are giving me chest pains, weight gain, and a very slow heartbeat to a point where I can’t walk for 2 minutes. I cannot function properly since I started taking these. Definitely not for me."