Apo-Metoprolol: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

What is APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L) used for?

APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L) is used in adults for the following conditions:

• to treat high blood pressure (mild or moderate hypertension). It can be used alone or with other medicines.
• to treat chest pain (angina pectoris) caused by narrowed heart arteries
• to help prevent another heart attack (myocardial infarction)

How does APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L) work?

APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L) belongs to a group of medicines known as “beta-blockers”. It works by blocking the effects of certain hormones, such as adrenaline. This causes your heart to beat more slowly and with less force.

What are the ingredients in APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L)?

Medicinal ingredients: metoprolol tartrate.

Non-medicinal ingredients:

APO-METOPROLOL: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate and microcrystalline cellulose.

APO-METOPROLOL (Type L) 50 mg: carnauba wax, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, D & C Red # 30 Aluminum Lake 30%, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose and polyethylene glycol, Sunset Yellow Aluminum Lake 40% and titanium dioxide.

APO-METOPROLOL (Type L) 100 mg: carnauba wax, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Indigotine Aluminum Lake 12-14% (Blue #2), lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polydextrose, polyethylene glycol and titanium dioxide.

APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L) comes in the following dosage forms:

Tablets, 25, 50 and 100 mg

Film-Coated Tablets, 50 and 100 mg

Do not use APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L) if:

• you are allergic to metoprolol tartrate or to any other ingredients in APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L).
• you are allergic to other beta-blockers.

• you have the following heart or blood vessel problems:

  • bradycardia (abnormally slow heart beat)
  • sick sinus syndrome (heart’s natural pacemaker is unable to create normal heartbeats at the normal rate)
  • second or third degree heart block (a type of irregular heart beat and rhythm)
  • right ventricular failure (right side of the heart is not pumping normal amounts of blood to the lungs)
  • heart failure (heart does not pump blood as well as it should)
  • cardiogenic shock (heart is unable to pump enough blood to the organs of the body)
  • severe peripheral arterial disorder (arteries are narrowed which reduces blood flow to your limbs)
• you are receiving anesthesia and are taking medicines that can affect your heart.
• you have a condition known as pheochromocytoma (a tumour in the adrenal gland) and are not being treated with an alpha-blocker.

• you have had a heart attack and also have any of the following:

  • a heart rate of less than 45 beats per minute
  • second or third degree heart block (a type of irregular heart beat and rhythm)
  • systolic blood pressure less than 100 mmHg
  • moderate to severe heart failure

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L). Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:

• have Prinzmetal’s angina (a type of chest pain)
• have blood vessel problems (e.g., peripheral arterial disorder)
• have problems with your heart or had a heart attack
• have an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)
• have high or low levels of sugar in the blood (diabetes), and are receiving insulin or other medicines to control blood sugar
• have problems with your liver or kidneys are at risk for allergic reactions
• have asthma or a history of breathing problems (such as wheezing and shortness of breath)
• are under 18 years old or are elderly.

Other warnings you should know about:

Stopping your medication: Do not suddenly stop taking APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L). This could cause chest pains or a heart attack. If your healthcare professional decides that you should stop taking APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L), your dose will be reduced slowly before you stop taking the medicine completely.

Heart failure (heart does not pump blood as well as it should): Beta-blockers, such as APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L), can slow your heart rate and cause heart failure, and/or low blood pressure. If you already have heart failure taking this medicine can make it worse. If you notice any signs or symptoms of a heart failure tell your healthcare professional right away. They may prescribe additional medication and will closely monitor your health.

Bradycardia (abnormally slow heart beat): APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L) can cause severe sinus bradycardia. Tell your healthcare professional if this occurs. They may reduce your dose of APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L). They will tell you how to safely stop your treatment with APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L).

Driving and using machines: If you experience dizziness, tiredness or blurred vision during your treatment with APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L), do not drive, use machinery, or perform other tasks that need full attention until you know how you respond to APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L).

Anesthesia and surgery: If you are going to have surgery where an anesthetic will be used, tell your healthcare professional that you are taking APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L).

Severe skin reactions: APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L) can cause a variety of severe skin reactions such as rashes and severe skin dryness. If you notice any signs and symptoms of a skin reaction, tell your healthcare professional. They will tell you how to safely stop your treatment with APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L).

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: You should not take APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L) during pregnancy or if you are breastfeeding. Tell your healthcare professional if you are:

• pregnant,
• able to become pregnant,
• breastfeeding, or
• planning to breastfeed.

Blood tests and monitoring: Based on your health history, your healthcare professional may perform blood tests for as long as you are being treated with APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L). They may monitor:

• your blood sugar
• how well your heart, liver, kidney and thyroid are working
• how APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L) is affecting other medications that you are taking.

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.

The following may also interact with APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L):

• aldesleukin, a medicine used to treat kidney cancer
• alcohol
• medicines that lower blood pressure (e.g. guanethidine, betanidine, reserpine, alpha-methyldopa, clonidine)
• medicines used to treat irregular heartbeat (e.g. quinidine, tocainide, procainamide, ajmaline, amiodarone, flecainide, disopyramide, propafenone, lidocaine)

• medicines used to treat high blood pressure, such as:

  • calcium channel blockers, such as verapamil and diltiazem, taken by mouth
  • hydralazine
  • prazosin
• medicines used to treat high blood pressure in the eye (e.g. timolol)
• MAO Inhibitors
• antidepressants (e.g. fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline, bupropion, clomipramine, desipramine)
• antipsychotics (e.g. chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, haloperidol, thioridazine)
• antiretrovirals (e.g. ritonavir)
• antihistamines used to treat hay fever (e.g. diphenhydramine)
• antimalarials (e.g. hydroxychloroquine or quinine)
• antifungals (e.g. terbinafine)
• dipyridamole, used to reduce the risk of blood clots
• ergot alkaloids, used in prevention and treatment of migraine headaches
• fingolimod, a medicine used to treat multiple sclerosis
• rifampicin (an antibiotic)
• anaesthetics, medicines used during surgery (e.g. lidocaine)
• medicines used to treat chest pain (angina) (e.g. nitroglycerin)
• medicines known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) used to reduce pain and swelling
• insulin, or oral medicines used to treat high levels of sugar in the blood (diabetes)
• adrenaline or similar substances (sympathomimetics), which are found in some eye and nose drops, and in some cough medicines or remedies for the common cold (e.g. noradrenaline, isoprenaline, ephedrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, and xanthine derivatives)

How to take APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L):

Take APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L):

• exactly as your healthcare professional has told you to
• by swallowing the tablet whole

• in the morning, preferably with or right after a meal

Do not change the dose or stop taking APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L) suddenly without talking to your healthcare professional first. This could cause chest pains or a heart attack. If your healthcare professional decides that you should stop taking APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L), your dose will be reduced slowly before you stop taking the medicine completely.

Usual dose:

Your healthcare professional will decide how much APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L) you should take each day depending on your condition.

Depending on how you respond to the treatment, your healthcare professional may change your dose.

The usual adult maintenance doses are:

• To treat high blood pressure: 100 to 200 mg daily. Your healthcare professional may add another medicine such as a diuretic (water pill) for you to take along with APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L) to treat your high blood pressure.
• To treat chest pain (Angina Pectoris): 200 mg daily.
• To help prevent another heart attack: 100 mg twice daily.

Overdose:

Some of the effects of an overdose of APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L) are:

• very low blood pressure
• an abnormally slow heartbeat or an irregular heartbeat
• heart failure or stoppage
• sudden and oppressive chest pain (heart attack)
• breathlessness, difficulty breathing when lying down
• low levels of blood sugar
• cardiogenic shock (heart is unable to pump enough blood to the organs of the body)
• loss of consciousness
• seizures
• nausea and vomiting
• blue discoloration of the lips, tongue, skin
• death

Taking APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L) with alcohol, medicines that lower blood pressure, quinidine, or medicines that have a calming effect on the body (e.g. barbiturates) may make your signs and symptoms worse.

Missed Dose:

If you missed a dose of this medication, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

What are possible side effects from using APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L)?

These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L). If you have any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.

Side effects may include:

• fainting
• dizziness
• light-headedness
• a drop in blood pressure from sitting or standing up
• hot flush
• vivid dreams or nightmares
• headache
• weakness
• sleep disturbance
• fatigue and tiredness especially with activity
• a tingling sensation in the extremities (signs of paresthesia)
• anxiety
• lack of energy and feeling tired (lethargy)
• heartburn
• increased passing of gas
• shortness of breath, especially with exercise
• wheezing
• stuffy or runny nose, sneezing, and itchy nose
• skin rashes
• sweating
• itchy skin
• increased sensitivity of the skin to sun
• hair loss
• muscle spasms
• arthritis
• impotence
• decreased sex drive
• ringing in the ears
• dry, itchy or red eyes
• blurred vision
• increased weight
• confusion
• increased levels of triglycerides (fat) in the blood, and decreased levels of cholesterol

Serious side effects and what to do about them

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.

Reporting Side Effects

Storage:

APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L): Store at room temperature (15°C to 30°C) and protect from light.

Keep out of reach and sight of children.

If you want more information about APO-METOPROLOL / APO-METOPROLOL (Type L):

• Talk to your healthcare professional
• Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes the Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada Drug Product Database website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); the manufacturer’s website (http://www.apotex.ca/products), or by calling 1-800-667-4708.

Last Revised: JUL 10, 2026