The most common error people make with their medicines is taking – or giving – a double dose. Medicine self-administration errors are a longstanding issue in patient safety and dosing errors are common mistakes reported by patients and health care workers.
Metoprolol, sold under the brand name Lopressor, among others, is a selective β₁ receptor blocker medication. It is used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain due to poor blood flow to the heart, and a number of conditions involving an abnormally fast heart rate.
Metoprolol oral tablets are available as the brand-name drugs Lopressor and Toprol XL. They’re also available as generic drugs. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name versions. In some cases, they may not be available in all strengths or forms as the brand-name drugs. The two brand-name forms of metoprolol (as well as the different generic forms) are different versions of the medication. They’re both metoprolol, but they contain different salt forms. Lopressor is metoprolol tartrate, while Toprol-XL is metoprolol succinate. The different salt forms enable the drugs to be used to treat different conditions.
Metoprolol succinate is an extended-release version of metoprolol, so it remains in your bloodstream for a longer time. Metoprolol tartrate is an immediate-release version of metoprolol.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
What To Do If You Accidentally Took Double Dose Of Metoprolol
For most people, accidentally taking double dose of Metoprolol shouldn’t be a problem, just inform your doctor and resume your regular schedule unless you feel some new symptom. Here is a list of a few things to be concerned with and what you would want to monitor: hypotension (low blood pressure), tiredness, slow/irregular heartbeat, dizziness, weakness, and/or fainting. Overdose symptoms may include slow or uneven heartbeats, shortness of breath, bluish-colored fingernails, dizziness, weakness, or fainting.
Your doctor may want you to monitor your blood pressure closely for a time period. He/She may also want to hold your medication until you are regulated. The amount of metoprolol that could lead to an overdose varies from person to person.
Do not fail to inform your doctor of the overdose because Metoprolol is a moderately lipophilic β-blocker that in overdose causes direct myocardial depression leading to bradycardia, hypotension, and the potential for cardiovascular collapse.
Taking your medicine as prescribed or medication adherence is important for controlling chronic conditions, treating temporary conditions, and overall long-term health and well-being. A personal connection with your health-care provider or pharmacist is an important part of medication adherence.
Here are 8 tips provided by the Food and Drug Administration that may help:
- Take your medication at the same time every day.
- Tie taking your medications with a daily routine like brushing your teeth or getting ready for bed. Before choosing mealtime for your routine, check if your medication should be taken on a full or empty stomach.
- Keep a “medicine calendar” with your pill bottles and note each time you take a dose.
- Use a pill container. Some types have sections for multiple doses at different times, such as morning, afternoon, evening, and night.
- When using a pill container, refill it at the same time each week. For example, every Sunday morning after breakfast.
- Purchase timer caps for your pill bottles and set them to go off when your next dose is due. Some pill boxes also have timer functions.
- When travelling, be certain to bring enough of your medication, plus a few days extra, in case your return is delayed.
- If you’re flying, keep your medication in your carry-on bag to avoid lost luggage. Temperatures inside the cargo hold could damage your medication. ALSO READ:What to do If You Accidentally Took Double Dose of Losartan
