I was prescribed 25mg of metoprolol to take once a day in the morning for a slightly elevated heartrate.

Ok, no problem. If you can, you may want to invest in an at home blood pressure cuff. The automated ones are great...all you do is strap the cuff on and press a button and the machine does all the work. I highly recommend these to anyone who is on blood pressure medication.

To answer your original question if it is ok to take Metoprolol as you are, it is probably safe if you are taking the immediate release formulation. The immediate release can be dosed every 8 to 12 hours safely. If you are taking the extended release, you would only want to take this once a day. The best thing to do in your case is get on a fixed dose that will eliminate your problem with tachycardia. I can advise, but need to know if you are on immediate release or extended release.

Ok, great. Thanks for that info. If your blood pressure is not dropping low, you may actually need a higher dose of the Metoprolol ER or more frequent dosing. Although the extended release should theoretically be taken only once a day, some patients genetically have a quicker metabolism of this drug and may possibly need to take it twice a day instead of once a day.

Sorry, I got off topic a bit, but I needed to confirm some information with you prior to giving my final answer. So to directly answer your questions: 1) Continuing to take it as you have been (taking additional doses when you have tachycardia) is not advised. With oversight by your doctor, I advise that you establish a stable and consistent dose (which may include increasing to twice daily dosing) to prevent the breakthrough tachycardia you have been experiencing. 2) As you may be one of those fast metabolizers, taking another one this morning should not be a problem.

Hi! I am checking in with you to see how everything is going with your Metoprolol ER. Have you been able to get your rapid heartbeat under control? Hope everything is going well! Please let me know:)

Thanks!

Dr. Bridget