Suggest Ways To Wean Off Metoprolol

Posted on Fri, 22 Jan 2016

Question: I taking 25 mg of metoprolol every 12 hours. I want to stop. What is the safest way?

Answered by Dr. Robert Galamaga (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Considerations

Detailed Answer:
hello and thank you for sending the question.

I would not recommend discontinuing this medication without the supervision of your primary care doctor.

In general when decreasing were discontinuing a blood pressure medication it is generally done by weaning the dosage over time.

For example one might take 25 mg in the morning and 12.5 mg in the evening for a week or so. Then decrease to 12.5 mg twicedaily for another week. After that my discontinue the twice-daily dosing and go to 12.5 mg per day for a week or two. After that my decrease the dose further to 6.25 mg per day again for a week or two before considering discontinuation.

this again needs to be done with the supervision of your doctor. Stopping this medication too quickly or suddenly can cause a significant increase in your heart rate or blood pressure.

Thanks again for sending your question.

Sincerely,

Dr. Galamaga

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad