warnings and cautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Abrupt cessation may exacerbate myocardial ischemia. (5) Heart Failure: Worsening cardiac failure may occur. (5.2) Bronchospastic Disease: Avoid beta-blockers. (5.3) Concomitant use of glycosides, clonidine, and diltiazem and verapamil with beta-blockers can increase the risk of bradycardia. (5.4) Pheochromocytoma: Initiate therapy with an alpha blocker. (5.5) Major Surgery: Avoid initiation of high-dose extended release metoprolol in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. Do not routinely withdraw chronic beta blocker therapy prior to surgery. (5.6, 6.1) Diabetes and Hypoglycemia: May mask tachycardia occurring with hypoglycemia. (5.7) Thyrotoxicosis: Abrupt withdrawal in patients with thyrotoxicosis might precipitate a thyroid storm. (5.8) Peripheral Vascular Disease: Can aggravate symptoms of arterial insufficiency (5.9) Patients may be unresponsive to the usual doses of epinephrine used to treat allergic reaction (5.10) 5.1 Abrupt Cessation of Therapy Following abrupt cessation of therapy with certain beta-blocking agents, exacerbations of angina pectoris and, in some cases, myocardial infarction have occurred. When discontinuing chronically administered metoprolol succinate extended-release, particularly in patients with ischemic heart disease, gradually reduce the dosage over a period of 1 to 2 weeks and monitor the patient. If angina markedly worsens or acute coronary ischemia develops, promptly reinstate metoprolol succinate extended-release, and take measures appropriate for the management of unstable angina. Warn patients not to interrupt therapy without their physician’s advice. Because coronary artery disease is common and may be unrecognized, avoid abruptly discontinuing metoprolol succinate extended-release in patients treated only for hypertension. 5.2 Heart Failure Worsening cardiac failure may occur during up-titration of metoprolol succinate extended-release. If such symptoms occur, increase diuretics and restore clinical stability before advancing the dose of metoprolol succinate extended-release [see Dosage and Administration (2) ]. It may be necessary to lower the dose of metoprolol succinate extended-release or temporarily discontinue it. Such episodes do not preclude subsequent successful titration of metoprolol succinate extended-release. 5.3 Bronchospastic Disease Patients with bronchospastic diseases should, in general, not receive beta-blockers. Because of its relative beta cardio-selectivity, however, metoprolol succinate extendedrelease may be used in patients with bronchospastic disease who do not respond to, or cannot tolerate, other antihypertensive treatment. Because beta 1 -selectivity is not absolute, use the lowest possible dose of metoprolol succinate extended-release. Bronchodilators, including beta -agonists, should be readily available or administered concomitantly [see Dosage and Administration (2)]. 5.4 Bradycardia Bradycardia, including sinus pause, heart block, and cardiac arrest have occurred with the use of metoprolol succinate extended-release tablets. Patients with first-degree atrioventricular block, sinus node dysfunction, conduction disorders (including Wolff Parkinson-White) or on concomitant drugs that cause bradycardia [see Drug Interactions (7.3)], may be at increased risk. Monitor heart rate in patients receiving metoprolol succinate extended-release tablets. If severe bradycardia develops, reduce or stop metoprolol succinate extended-release tablets. 5.5 Pheochromocytoma If metoprolol succinate extended-release is used in the setting of pheochromocytoma, it should be given in combination with an alpha blocker, and only after the alpha blocker has been initiated. Administration of beta-blockers alone in the setting of pheochromocytoma has been associated with a paradoxical increase in blood pressure due to the attenuation of beta-mediated vasodilatation in skeletal muscle. 5.6 Major Surgery Avoid initiation of a high-dose regimen of extended-release metoprolol in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery, since such use in patients with cardiovascular risk factors has been associated with bradycardia, hypotension, stroke and death. Chronically administered beta-blocking therapy should not be routinely withdrawn prior to major surgery, however, the impaired ability of the heart to respond to reflex adrenergic stimuli may augment the risks of general anesthesia and surgical procedures. 5.7 Mask Symptoms of Hypoglycemia Beta-blockers may mask tachycardia occurring with hypoglycemia, but other manifestations such as dizziness and sweating may not be significantly affected. 5.8 Thyrotoxicosis Beta-adrenergic blockade may mask certain clinical signs of hyperthyroidism, such as tachycardia. Abrupt withdrawal of beta-blockade may precipitate a thyroid storm. 5.9 Peripheral Vascular Disease Beta-blockers can precipitate or aggravate symptoms of arterial insufficiency in patients with peripheral vascular disease. 5.10 Anaphylactic Reaction While taking beta-blockers, patients with a history of severe anaphylactic reactions to a variety of allergens may be more reactive to repeated challenge and may be unresponsive to the usual doses of epinephrine used to treat an allergic reaction.