Question about Metoprolol

[sian333]

Hi there.

I have some conduction issues with my heart and have recently started taking 12.5mg of Metoprolol twice a day, one in AM and one in PM.

It's really been helping, and is just meant to keep my heart rate steady until I go and have an EP study in the next few months.

My doctor told me it is fine to have alcohol while taking this medication. Would you agree? Has anyone here had alcohol while taking Metoprolol?

I am only planning on having a glass or two for special occasions, I have a couple of friends birthdays coming up. Just wanted to see what others opinions were....

Thanks so much.

[LindaTX]

I say why take a chance with the alcohol.  Is it really worth it?  I used to have a drink occasionally while on Topral XL and an anti-arrhythmic for a-fib.  Lots of times I didn't have a problem but over the years I realized that I would just as likely as not have an a-fib episode directly after having a sip of wine or a beer. You are on medication for a reason.  Why tempt fate?

[Jerry_NJ]

I have taken Metoprolol as high as 100 mg twice a day... more recently only 100 mg and now 50 mg once a day.  I have added a calcium channel blocker --- I'm not getting better :(

I have had no problem with a glass or two or wine or beer with meals, or even one with a snack.  I agree the recommendation is to abstain from drinking alcohol.  I'm sure I've told my cardiologist I have a drink "now and then" and I don't recall any outcry form him.  

As advised, use caution and better too little than too much to drink, that plays for everyone of course.  But in the case of us medicated folks the too much is usually lower than for those not so medicated.

[globalhiking]

Hi,
Your Dr knows you better than I do, but in general people on Metoprolol are told not to drink alcohol while taking it.
Because Metoprolol can cause blurred vision, drowsiness, and lightheadedness (amongst others), alcohol has the potential to make those worse, and increase your chance of accidental injury.

I don't know how much side effects you suffer from - but if you do, maybe you should abstain.
If you don't suffer from any side effects from the Metoprolol, then, maybe you can try to drink a little, but only at home, or somewhere safe when you can gauge the effect alcohol has on you.
Also no two occasions are the same, so even if one time was ok, maybe the next time won't be; so proceed with caution (I hope I don't sound too much like a 'party pooper')

If you do try, be sure to be very well hydrated, and to eat not long before.
Maybe you know that already - but eating food higher in fat (the good ones, naturally!) before drinking, will help slow down the rate at which your stomach empties, and will slow the rate of alcohol absorption, lessening the chances of having adverse reactions.

In my case, alcohol has the tendency to make my side effects worse - so I usually abstain, even more so when I'm in public.

Hopefully this helps :-)