Metoprolol+s Amlodipine
About Metoprolol+s Amlodipine
Metoprolol+s Amlodipine is a prescription medicine used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It combines metoprolol, which slows the heart rate and reduces the heart's workload, with S-amlodipine, the active form of amlodipine commonly used in India that relaxes and widens blood vessels. The two medicines work in different ways to lower blood pressure and are often prescribed when one medicine alone does not provide adequate control.
Take Metoprolol+s Amlodipine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the same time each day, with or without food. Your blood pressure may begin to improve within a few hours of taking a dose, but achieving stable blood pressure control may take several days to a few weeks. Continue taking the medicine even if you feel well, as high blood pressure often causes no symptoms. Following a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting salt intake, can further improve blood pressure control. In India, reducing foods high in salt, such as pickles, papad, and processed snacks, may be particularly helpful.
Common side effects include dizziness, headache, tiredness, flushing, and mild swelling of the ankles or feet. These are usually temporary. However, seek immediate medical attention if you experience severe dizziness, fainting, difficulty breathing, chest pain, or a very slow heartbeat.
Before taking Metoprolol+s Amlodipine, inform your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, asthma, COPD, diabetes, thyroid disorders, or poor blood circulation. If you have diabetes, metoprolol may mask some signs of low blood sugar, such as a fast heartbeat, so regular blood glucose monitoring is important. Older adults may be more sensitive to dizziness and low blood pressure, while the safety of this fixed-dose combination has not been established in children. Do not use this medicine if you have a very slow heart rate, certain serious heart rhythm problems, cardiogenic shock, or are allergic to any of its ingredients. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before starting treatment.
Uses of Metoprolol+s Amlodipine
Medicinal Benefits
Metoprolol+s Amlodipine combines two medicines that work together to help control high blood pressure. The primary benefits include:
- Effective blood pressure control: The combination of two antihypertensive medicines helps lower and maintain healthy blood pressure levels.
- Sustained blood pressure management: Its complementary actions help provide consistent blood pressure control throughout the day.
- Reduced workload on the heart: By lowering blood pressure, it helps reduce the strain on the heart and blood vessels.
- Simplified treatment regimen: Combining two medicines into a single tablet reduces pill burden, making it easier to follow your prescribed treatment plan.
Directions for Use
- Metoprolol+s Amlodipine can be taken after food or as advised by your doctor.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication for effective results.
- Swallow Metoprolol+s Amlodipine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not break, chew or crush Metoprolol+s Amlodipine.
Storage
Side Effects of Metoprolol+s Amlodipine
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when standing up quickly
- Mild swelling in your ankles or feet
- Feeling unusually tired, fatigued, or sleepy
- Mild headache or nausea
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away):
- An extremely slow, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
- Severe dizziness or fainting spells
- Sudden shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, and severe itching or skin rash
Drug Warnings
- Do not stop taking this medication abruptly: Stopping suddenly can cause a severe rebound rise in blood pressure, chest pain, or even a heart attack. Always consult your doctor for a safe plan to gradually decrease your dose.
- Stand up slowly: To prevent dizziness, lightheadedness, and potential falls, take your time when moving from a sitting or lying position to a standing one.
- Monitor your pulse and blood pressure regularly: Keep a written log of your heart rate and blood pressure readings at home to share with your doctor during your check-ups.
- Check before using over-the-counter pain relievers: Pain medications like ibuprofen or naproxen can raise your blood pressure and reduce the effectiveness of Metoprolol+s Amlodipine.
- Avoid driving if you feel dizzy: This medication can cause drowsiness or lightheadedness, particularly when you first start taking it or after a dose change.
Drug Interactions
The following medicines may interact with Metoprolol+s Amlodipine and require closer monitoring or dose adjustments:
- Other blood pressure medications: Combining Metoprolol+s Amlodipine with other medications that lower blood pressure, such as ACE inhibitors or certain heart rate-regulating drugs (like digoxin or amiodarone), can cause your blood pressure or heart rate to drop too low.
- Certain antidepressants: Medications like fluoxetine or paroxetine can increase the levels of the beta-blocker in your body, increasing the risk of side effects.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Pain relievers like ibuprofen can reduce the blood pressure-lowering effect of this medication.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid alcohol consumption with Metoprolol+s Amlodipine as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure and cause adverse effects such as dizziness, fainting, light-headedness or headache.
Pregnancy
cautionMetoprolol+s Amlodipine is a category C pregnancy drug. Metoprolol+s Amlodipine is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks benefits are greater than risks. Please consult a doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast Feeding
cautionMetoprolol+s Amlodipine may be excreted in human milk in small amounts. Therefore, Metoprolol+s Amlodipine is given to breastfeeding mothers if the doctor thinks benefits are greater than risks. Please consult a doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionMetoprolol+s Amlodipine may cause dizziness or tiredness in some people. Therefore, avoid driving if you feel dizzy or tired after taking Metoprolol+s Amlodipine.
Liver
cautionMetoprolol+s Amlodipine should be given with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionMetoprolol+s Amlodipine should be given with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
unsafeIt is not recommended for children as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Reduce sodium intake: Limit your consumption of processed foods and table salt, as sodium causes your body to retain water, which directly raises your blood pressure.
- Follow a heart-healthy diet: Focus on eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins while minimising saturated fats and cholesterol.
- Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice: Grapefruit can increase the levels of S-amlodipine in your bloodstream, leading to an increased risk of side effects.
- Limit alcohol and avoid tobacco: Both alcohol and smoking can interfere with your medication's effectiveness and worsen your overall cardiovascular health.
- Engage in regular moderate exercise: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, like brisk walking, most days of the week, after consulting your doctor.
Special Advise
Regular monitoring of blood pressure is recommended while taking Metoprolol+s Amlodipine.
- Metoprolol+s Amlodipine may rarely cause changes in blood tests and liver function tests.
- Low salt diet and regular exercise are recommended along with Metoprolol+s Amlodipine for effective results.
- Your doctor may advice regular blood test for monitoring of electrolytes.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension: Blood pressure is the measurement of the force that the heart uses to pump blood to all parts of the body. Hypertension is a chronic condition in which blood pressure is too high. This condition can lead to hardened arteries (blood vessels), decreasing the blood and oxygen flow to the heart. Raised blood pressure can cause chest pain (angina) and heart attack (when blood supply to the heart is blocked). Additionally, high blood pressure also causes brain damage (stroke) and kidney failure. High blood pressure can be diagnosed with the help of a blood pressure monitor or sphygmomanometer. Systolic pressure is the pressure when the heart pumps blood out. On the other hand, diastolic pressure is the pressure when your heart is at the resting stage between heartbeats. If your blood pressure is 140/90 mm of Hg, it means the systolic pressure is 140 mm of Hg and, diastolic pressure is 90 mm of Hg. Normal blood pressure lies in between 90/60 mm of Hg and 120/80 mm of Hg. If the blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg or greater, it is considered as high blood pressure.
FAQs
Metoprolol+s Amlodipine is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Also, it is used to treat chest pain and irregular heart rhythm.
Metoprolol+s Amlodipine contains Metoprolol and S-Amlodipine. Metoprolol works by blocking beta receptors in the heart and making the heartbeat slowly and with less force. Thereby, it decreases the pressure at which blood is pumped out of the heart and throughout the body. S-Amlodipine works by acting on muscle cells in the artery walls and relaxing muscle cells and widening arteries (blood vessels), thereby improving the blood flow and oxygen supply to the heart. Thus, together they lower high blood pressure.
You are not recommended to take furosemide with Metoprolol+s Amlodipine as co-administration of these two medicines may increase the risk of low blood pressure. However, if you experience dizziness, reduced heart rate, headache or fainting, please consult a doctor immediately. If you are supposed to use these medicines together, you are advised to contact your doctor so that the dose may be adjusted to use safely.
Metoprolol+s Amlodipine should be used with caution in diabetic patients as it may increase the risk of severe low blood sugar levels. Therefore, if you have diabetes, inform your doctor before taking Metoprolol+s Amlodipine. Also, regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is recommended while taking Metoprolol+s Amlodipine.
Metoprolol+s Amlodipine may cause dizziness when standing up from sitting or lying position suddenly. Therefore, to avoid such effects, it is advised to stand up slowly from sitting or lying position.
You are not recommended to take Metoprolol+s Amlodipine if you asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as it may worsen the condition. However, please consult a doctor before taking Metoprolol+s Amlodipine.
Metoprolol+s Amlodipine may cause high potassium levels in the blood and cause adverse effects on overdose. Therefore, take Metoprolol+s Amlodipine only in doses as prescribed by your doctor.
It is generally not recommended to take Metoprolol+s Amlodipine during pregnancy, as it can affect blood flow to the developing baby. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor.
A slower heart rate is a known effect of this medication. However, if your pulse drops below 50 beats per minute, or if you feel dizzy, weak, or short of breath, contact your doctor immediately. Talk to your doctor.
Caffeine can raise your blood pressure and heart rate, which can counteract the beneficial effects of Metoprolol+s Amlodipine. It is best to limit your caffeine intake while taking this medication. Talk to your doctor.
Stopping this medication abruptly can cause a dangerous, rapid spike in blood pressure, severe chest pain, or even a heart attack. Any changes to your treatment must be done by gradually decreasing the dose under medical supervision. Talk to your doctor.
Yes, mild swelling in the ankles or feet can occur as a side effect of the calcium channel blocker component in Metoprolol+s Amlodipine. Keeping your feet elevated when sitting may help, but if the swelling is sudden or severe, talk to your doctor.
You should avoid taking ibuprofen or other NSAIDs regularly without medical advice, as they can reduce the effectiveness of Metoprolol+s Amlodipine and raise your blood pressure. Talk to your doctor.
You can take Metoprolol+s Amlodipine at either time, but it is highly recommended to take it at the same time every day to keep your blood pressure stable. Talk to your doctor.
Metoprolol+s Amlodipine does not cure high blood pressure; it helps control and manage it. You will likely need to take this medication long-term to keep your blood pressure within a safe, healthy range. Talk to your doctor.
