Is Constipation Due To Increased Dosage Of Metoprolol?

Posted on Sat, 14 Jan 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 14 Jan 2017 Answered on

Tue, 7 Feb 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I am 77 years old and have recently increased my dosage of metoprolol from 50 mg twice daily to 75 mg twice daily. I have begun to experience extreme difficulty passing my stool. I have to strain excessively to start my movement. Once the movement begins, the stool passes smoothly and the stool is large and soft. I have recently become sedentary because I'm wearing a boot on my right foot to heal a small tear in the achilles' tendon. Would it help to apply Vaseline to my rectum before trying to have a movement?

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

Regarding your concern, I would explain that the constipation is not related to metoprolol, but to the lack of physical activitiy.

Everything will turn into normality when you will restart normal physical activity.

Meanwhile, I would recommend taking Psyllium daily to help with constipation. It is better tolerated compared to Vaseline.

Hope to have been helpful!

Kind regards,

Dr.Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar