Kapspargo Sprinkle

This medication is a beta-blocker used to treat chest pain (angina), heart failure, and high blood pressure. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.

This drug works by blocking the action of certain natural chemicals in your body (such as epinephrine) that affect the heart and blood vessels. This lowers heart rate, blood pressure, and strain on the heart.

See also Warning section.

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Some brands of this medication (those containing metoprolol tartrate) may be better absorbed when you take them with or right after a meal. Other brands (those containing metoprolol succinate) may be taken with or without food. Follow your doctor's directions for your brand, and take it the same way at the same time each day.

Do not crush or chew extended-release tablets or capsules. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Also, do not split extended-release tablets unless they have a score line and your doctor or pharmacist tells you to do so. Swallow the whole or split tablet without crushing or chewing.

If you are using the extended-release capsules, swallow the capsule whole. If you have trouble swallowing it whole, you may open the capsule and sprinkle its contents on a spoonful of soft food (such as applesauce, pudding, or yogurt). Swallow the drug/food mixture without chewing. Use the mixture within 60 minutes. Do not prepare a supply in advance. If you are giving this medication through a tube into the stomach, ask your doctor or pharmacist for specific directions. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages, since alcohol may interfere with the slow release of this medication and increase the risk of side effects.

To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start this medication at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Do not suddenly stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Your condition may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped.

For the treatment of high blood pressure, it may take several weeks before you get the full benefit of this drug. Keep taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick.

To prevent chest pain, a second heart attack, or migraine headaches, it is very important to take this medication regularly as prescribed. This drug should not be used to treat chest pain or migraines when they occur. Use other medications to relieve sudden attacks as directed by your doctor (for example, nitroglycerin tablets placed under the tongue for chest pain, "triptan" drugs such as sumatriptan for migraines). Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens (for example, if your routine blood pressure readings remain high or increase, if your chest pain or migraines occur more often).

See also Warning section.

Drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness, diarrhea, and slow heartbeat may occur. Decreased sexual ability has been reported rarely. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

With some brands of this medication, an empty tablet shell may appear in your stool. This is harmless.

This drug may reduce blood flow to your hands and feet, causing them to feel cold. Smoking may worsen this effect. Dress warmly and avoid tobacco use.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: very slow heartbeat, severe dizziness, fainting, blue fingers/toes, trouble breathing, new or worsening symptoms of heart failure (such as shortness of breath, swelling ankles/feet, unusual tiredness, unusual/sudden weight gain), mental/mood changes (such as confusion, mood swings, depression).

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking metoprolol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other beta-blockers (such as atenolol, propranolol); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: certain types of heart rhythm problems (such as a slow heartbeat, second- or third-degree atrioventricular block, sick sinus syndrome), breathing problems (such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema), liver disease, serious allergic reactions, including those needing treatment with epinephrine, blood circulation problems (such as Raynaud's disease, peripheral vascular disease), mental/mood disorders (such as depression), a certain muscle disease (myasthenia gravis).

If you have diabetes, this product may mask the fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually feel when your blood sugar falls too low (hypoglycemia). Other symptoms of low blood sugar, such as dizziness and sweating, are unaffected by this drug. This product may also make it harder to control your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit or avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may harm an unborn baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

This drug passes into breast milk. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

A product that may interact with this drug is: fingolimod.

Other medications can affect the removal of metoprolol from your body, which may affect how metoprolol works. Examples include lumefantrine, propafenone, quinidine, SSRI antidepressants (such as fluoxetine, paroxetine), St. John's wort, among others.

Some products have ingredients that could raise your heart rate or blood pressure or worsen your heart failure. Tell your pharmacist what products you are using, and ask how to use them safely (especially cough-and-cold products, diet aids, or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen/naproxen).

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: very slow heartbeat, severe dizziness, severe weakness, fainting, trouble breathing.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Do not share this medication with others.

Talk with your doctor about lifestyle changes that may help this medication work better (such as stress reduction programs, exercise, and dietary changes).

Have your blood pressure and pulse (heart rate) checked regularly while taking this medication. Learn how to check your own blood pressure and pulse at home, and share the results with your doctor.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as liver function tests) may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.