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Chem mart(R) Metoprolol Tablets
Metoprolol tartrate (met-oh-PROE-lol)
Consumer Medicine Information
Buy Metoprolol Sandoz 50mgTablets (Pack of 100), Betaloc Metoprolol Tablets 50mg (Pack Of 100) or Lopresor Tablets 100MG Pack Of 60.
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Chem mart Metoprolol. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risk of you taking metoprolol against the benefits it is expected to have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine.
You may need to read it again.
What Chem mart Metoprolol is used for
This medicine is used to:
- lower high blood pressure (hypertension)
- prevent angina pectoris
- treat or prevent heart attacks, or reduce the risk of heart complications following a heart attack (myocardial infarction)
- prevent migraines.
This medicine belongs to a group of medicines called beta-blockers.
It works by affecting the body`s response to some nerve impulses, especially in the heart. As a result, it decreases the heart`s need for blood and oxygen and therefore reduces the amount of work the heart has to do. It also widens the blood vessels in the body, causing blood pressure to fall.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
This medicine is not addictive.
This medicine is available only with a doctor`s prescription.
There is not enough information to recommend the use of this medicine for children.
Before you take Chem mart Metoprolol
When you must not take it
Do not take metoprolol if you have an allergy to:
- any medicine containing metoprolol
- any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
- any other beta-blocker medicine.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.
Do not take this medicine if you have the following medical conditions:
- asthma, difficulty breathing or other lung problems, or a history of these conditions
- allergic disorders, such as severe hay fever
- low blood pressure
- a very slow heart beat (less than 45 to 50 beats/minute)
- heart failure or other heart conditions
- a severe blood vessel disorder causing poor circulation in the arms and legs
- untreated phaeochromocytoma (a rare tumour of the adrenal gland).
Do not take this medicine after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking this medicine, talk to your doctor.
Before you start to take it
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you have a history of allergic disorders such as hay fever.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
- certain types of angina, such as Prinzmetal angina or variant angina
- any other heart problems
- a blood vessel disorder causing poor circulation in the arms and legs
- diabetes
- kidney or liver problems
- an overactive thyroid gland
- phaeochromocytoma (a rare tumour of the adrenal gland) which is being treated by other medicines
- skin or eye problems that were associated with treatment with another beta-blocker medicine.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.
Your doctor can discuss with you the risks involved.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you start taking metoprolol.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and metoprolol may interfere with each other. These include:
- other beta-blocker medicines, including beta-blocker eye drops
- other medicines used to treat high blood pressure or angina, such as prazosin, clonidine and calcium channel blockers (also known as calcium antagonists)
- medicines used to treat abnormal or irregular heart beats, such as disopyramide, quinidine, flecainide, mexiletine and amiodarone
- tablets used to treat diabetes
- medicines used to treat depression, such as monoamine-oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- cimetidine, a medicine used to treat stomach ulcers or reflux
- rifampicin, a medicine used to treat tuberculosis
- certain medicines used to relieve pain, swelling and other symptoms of inflammation, such as indomethacin
- warfarin, a medicine used to prevent blood clots
- certain anaesthetics used during surgery.
These medicines may be affected by metoprolol, or may affect how well it works. You may need to use different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines.
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking this medicine.
How to take Chem mart Metoprolol
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the label, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How much to take
Hypertension (high blood pressure) and Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
The usual dosage for both of these conditions is 50mg to 100mg either once or twice daily. Your doctor may start you on a low dose and increase it over a period of time.
Angina pectoris (chest pain)
The usual dosage is 50mg to 100mg two to three times daily.
Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
Your doctor may start you on 50mg twice daily for 2 days then continue with 100mg twice daily thereafter.
Migraine
The usual dosage is 50mg to 75mg twice daily (morning and evening).
How to take it
Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water.
If you need to break the tablet, hold it with both hands and snap it along break line.
When to take it
Take your medicine at about the same time each day.
Taking it at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you remember when to take it.
It does not matter if you take this medicine before or after food.
How long to take it
Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you.
This medicine may help control your condition, but does not cure it. It is important to continue taking your medicine even if you feel well.
Do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor.
Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount of metoprolol you are taking before stopping completely. This may help reduce the possibility of your angina worsening or other heart complications from occurring
If you forget to take your dose
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor, or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think you or anyone else may have taken too much metoprolol. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention.
Symptoms of an overdose of metoprolol may include dizziness or light-headedness, difficulty in breathing and a slow heart beat.
While you are using Chem mart Metoprolol
Things you must do
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking metoprolol.
Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking this medicine.
If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking this medicine.
It may affect other medicines used during surgery.
If you become pregnant while taking metoprolol, tell your doctor immediately.
Keep all of your doctor`s appointments so that your progress can be checked.
Your doctor may do some tests from time to time to make sure the medicine is working and to prevent unwanted side effects.
If you have a severe allergic reaction to foods, medicines or insect stings, tell your doctor immediately.
If you have a history of allergies, there is a chance that metoprolol may cause allergic reactions to be worse and harder to treat.
If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint when getting out of bed or standing up, get up slowly.
You may feel light-headed or dizzy when you begin to take/after you are given metoprolol. This is because your blood pressure is falling suddenly. Standing up slowly, especially when you get up from bed or chairs, will help your body get used to the change in position and blood pressure.
If this problem gets worse or continues, talk to your doctor.
Make sure you drink enough water during exercise and hot weather when you are taking this medicine, especially if you sweat a lot.
If you do not drink enough water while taking metoprolol, you may feel faint or light-headed or sick. This is because your blood pressure is dropping suddenly.
If you continue to feel unwell, tell your doctor.
If you plan to have surgery (even at the dentist) that needs a general anaesthetic, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking metoprolol.
Your blood pressure may drop suddenly.
If you are being treated for diabetes, make sure you check your blood sugar level regularly and report any changes to your doctor.
Metoprolol may change how well your diabetes is controlled. It may also cover up some of the symptoms of low blood sugar, called hypoglycaemia, such as fast heart beat. It may make low blood sugar last longer. Your doses of diabetic medicines may need to change.
Things you must not do
Do not use metoprolol to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not stop taking your medicine or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor.
If you stop taking it suddenly, your condition may worsen. If possible, your doctor will gradually reduce the amount you take each day before stopping the medicine completely.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how metoprolol affects you.
This medicine may cause dizziness and tiredness in some people. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Be careful drinking alcohol while you are taking this medicine.
If you drink alcohol, dizziness and tiredness may be worse.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking metoprolol.
This medicine helps most people with high blood pressure, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction or migraines, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some of the side effects.
If you are over 65 years of age you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.
Do not be alarmed by the following lists of side effects.
You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- tiredness or lack of energy
- headache
- nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea or constipation
- changes in taste sensation
- muscle cramps or weakness or painful joints
- difficulty sleeping, nightmares
- mood changes
- confusion, short-term memory loss, decreased alertness.
These side effects are usually mild and short-lived.
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:
- dizziness (sometimes with fainting) especially on standing up
- skin rash or hives on the skin
- worsening of psoriasis
- sunburn happening more quickly than usual
- irritated eyes (red, runny, itchy or dry), visual disturbances (eg blurred vision)
- tingling or pins and needles
- buzzing or ringing in the ears or difficulty hearing
- sexual problems.
The above list includes serious side effects which may require medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.
If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital:
- wheezing or difficulty breathing
- shortness of breath, sometimes with tiredness and reduced ability to exercise
- swelling of the feet or legs due to fluid build up
- chest pain, chest tightness
- changes in the rhythm or rate of the heart beat.
The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. These side effects are rare.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.
After using Chem mart Metoprolol
Storage
Keep your tablets in the original pack until it is time to take them.
If you take the tablets out of the pack they may not keep well.
Keep your tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25 degrees C.
Do not store metoprolol or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it on a window sill or in the car.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where children cannot reach it.
A locked medicine cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine or the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over.
Product description
What it looks like
- Chem mart Metoprolol 50mg: white, round tablets, scored on one side. Available in blister packs of 100tablets.
- Chem mart Metoprolol 100mg: white, round tablets, scored on one side. Available in blister packs of 60 tablets.
Ingredients
- Chem mart Metoprolol contains metoprolol tartrate as the active ingredient. It also contains:
- lactose
- maize starch
- microcrystalline cellulose
- magnesium stearate
- colloidal anhydrous silica
- hydroxypropylcellulose
- calcium hydrogen phosphate
- crospovidone.
Sponsor
- GenRx Pty Ltd
- ABN 52 096 916 148
- Level 21, 390 St Kilda Road
- Melbourne, Victoria 3004
- Australia
Distributor
- Chem mart Pty Limited
- ABN 92 001 235 374
- 115 Sherriff Street
- Underdale, South Australia
- Australia 5032
- Chem mart is a registered trade mark of FH Faulding & Co Limited
- This leaflet was prepared in April 2004.
Australian Registration Numbers
- 50mg tablets: AUST R 78853
- 100mg tablets: AUST R 78854
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