Metoprolol
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Metoprolol for pets in Perth during a consultation by Dr Noor.”
(me-toe-pro-lole)
Description:
This medicine is a “beta-blocker,” which is a type of drug that affects how the heart works.
Other Names for this Medication:
- Lopressor®
- Toprol XL®
Common Dosage Forms:
- For animals: there is no standard veterinary-made form.
- For people: tablets come in 25 mg, 37.5 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, and 100 mg.
- For people: extended-release tablets (made to release the drug more slowly) come in 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg.
Metoprolol can also be specially prepared (compounded) as a liquid taken by mouth.
Key Information – Metoprolol for pets in Perth
- For this medicine to work as intended, your animal needs to get every dose exactly as directed. You may give it with food or without food.
- The side effects seen most often are low energy (seeming tired) and weakness. Low blood pressure can happen. If the dose is too high, the heart rate may drop too much, and heart problems can get worse. Tell your veterinarian if your animal cannot exercise like usual, has trouble breathing, coughs, or shows a change in behavior or mood.
- When this medicine is first started, your veterinarian may begin with a small dose and slowly raise it over time to watch how your animal responds. Do not give more than the amount your veterinarian ordered.
- It is extremely important not to stop this medicine suddenly unless your veterinarian tells you how to do so.
How is this medication useful?
Metoprolol for pets in Perth is a beta-blocker. Veterinarians may choose it for certain irregular heartbeat problems, high blood pressure, or a heart condition in cats called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many factors can change how this medicine works in your animal. Share the information below with your veterinarian so you can make treatment choices together.
- Some medicines can interact badly with metoprolol. Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your animal receives, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. Also share the dose amount and the timing for each one.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your animal has now, or has had before.
- If your animal has had the same illness or problem in the past, explain what was used before and whether it helped or did not help.
- If your animal is pregnant or nursing, discuss the possible risks of using this medicine.
- Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist if your animal has ever had side effects from medicines before, including allergic reactions, not wanting to eat, diarrhea, itching, or hair loss.
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
- This medicine should begin to have an effect within 1 to 2 hours. However, you will not be able to see the effect just by watching your animal. Your veterinarian will need to do additional tests to check whether it is working the right way.
- This medicine does not last long in the body. Its effect stops within 24 hours. The helpful effects may last longer if your animal’s kidneys and/or liver are not working as well.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any concerns that apply to your animal.
This drug SHOULD NOT be used in patients:
If your animal matches any of these conditions, talk to your veterinarian about the possible risks versus benefits.
- Animals with severe heart failure, asthma, a heart block (a problem with the heart’s electrical signals), a very slow heart rate, or animals that are in shock.
- Animals that have had an allergic reaction or a serious reaction to this medicine or to other medicines in the same group (for example, propranolol, carvedilol, sotalol).
This drug should be used WITH CAUTION in patients:
- Animals with serious liver problems, because the liver processes this medicine.
- Animals with diabetes, because propranolol can hide signs linked with low blood sugar.
- Animals with an overactive thyroid, because propranolol can hide signs of an overactive thyroid.
What are the side effects of this medication?
Side effects that usually are not serious include:
You do not need to be highly worried if you notice these signs unless they are strong, get worse, or do not go away. If that happens, contact your veterinarian.
- Low energy or seeming tired when treatment first begins.
- Diarrhea (in dogs).
Side effects that may be serious or indicate a serious problem:
These signs are not common. They usually mean the dose is too high for your animal. If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian right away.
- A very slow heart rate, collapsing (fainting), weakness, or coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing.
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
Too much metoprolol can be dangerous. If you see an overdose happen, or you think your animal may have received too much, call your veterinarian or contact an animal poison control service immediately for instructions.
How should this medication be given?
- To get the intended results, give this medicine exactly the way your veterinarian prescribed it. It is helpful to read the prescription label each time so you confirm you are giving it correctly.
- You can give this medicine with food or without food. If your animal vomits or seems unwell after getting it on an empty stomach, give the next dose with food or a small treat. If vomiting continues, contact your veterinarian.
- If you are using a specially made liquid form, measure it with care. Your veterinarian or pharmacist can provide special measuring spoons or dosing syringes.
- If giving the medicine is difficult, ask your veterinarian or pharmacist for ideas to make dosing easier and to lower stress during medication time.
- If you want to stop the medicine before the prescription is finished, contact your veterinarian first. Do not stop this medicine suddenly unless your veterinarian guides you.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
If you forget a dose, give it as soon as you remember. Then wait the usual amount of time between doses that your veterinarian recommended before giving the next one. Do not give two doses at once, and do not give an extra dose.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep this medicine at room temperature in the original prescription container that is resistant to light and designed to be child-resistant, or store it in an approved pill organizer.
- If your veterinarian or pharmacist prepared a special compounded version, follow the storage directions and the expiration date that come with that product.
- Store it where children and other animals cannot reach it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
No special handling steps are needed unless you are allergic to this medicine. After touching any medicine, wash your hands.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not put this medicine into the toilet or down a sink drain. If your area has a community medication “take-back” option, use that.
- If there is no take-back program, combine the medicine with used coffee grounds or cat litter so it is unpleasant to children and animals and not recognizable to someone searching through trash. Put that mixture into a sealed plastic bag so it cannot leak, and place it in the household trash.
- Do not keep extra medicine for later use, and do not give it to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- Some animal competitions may not allow the use of this medicine. Check the rules before entering your animal in a competition while your animal is receiving this drug.
- Your veterinarian will need to check your animal closely during treatment. Keep all follow-up appointments.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”