metoprolol tartrate
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about METOPROLOL IV VIATRIS. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you being given METOPROLOL IV VIATRIS against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about being given this medicine, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.
What METOPROLOL IV VIATRIS is used for
Your medicine contains metoprolol tartrate as the active ingredient. This medicine belongs to a group of medicines called beta-blockers.
Metoprolol tartrate is used to treat an irregular heartbeat, also known as arrhythmia, which means that there is a disturbance of the heart’s normal rhythm or beat.
Arrhythmias may be caused by numerous factors, including some heart diseases, an overactive thyroid gland or chemical imbalances. After a heart attack there is also a chance of developing an arrhythmia.
Metoprolol tartrate helps to restore your heart beat to a more normal rate, particularly if it is beating very fast.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you. Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
This medicine is not addictive.
Before you are given METOPROLOL IV VIATRIS
When you must not be given it
You should not be given METOPROLOL IV VIATRIS if:
- you have any allergies to metoprolol tartrate, any other beta-blocker medicine, any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin or you may feel faint.
- you have asthma, wheezing, difficulty breathing or other lung problems, or have had them in the past
- you have a history of allergic problems, including hayfever
- you have low blood pressure
- you have a very slow heartbeat (less than 45-50 beats/minute)
- you have certain other heart conditions
- you have phaeochromocytoma (a rare tumour of the adrenal gland) which is not being treated already with other medicines
- you have a severe blood vessel disorder causing poor circulation in the arms and legs
- you are receiving/having emergency treatment for shock or severely low blood pressure.
If you are not sure whether any of these apply to you, check with your doctor.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Like most beta-blocker medicines, METOPROLOL IV VIATRIS is not recommended for use during pregnancy.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. The active ingredient in METOPROLOL IV VIATRIS passes into breast milk and there is a possibility that your baby may be affected.
Do not give this medicine to children. Safety and effectiveness of this medicine in children have not been established.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging s torn or shows signs of tampering. It may have no effect at all, or worse, an entirely unexpected effect if it is used after the expiry date.
Before you are given it
Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
- asthma, wheezing, difficulty breathing or other lung problems
- diabetes
- an overactive thyroid gland
- liver problems
- kidney problems
- certain types of angina
- any other heart problems
- phaeochromocytoma, a rare tumour of the adrenal gland
- any blood vessel disorders causing poor circulation in the arms and legs
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you are given METOPROLOL IV VIATRIS.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and METOPROLOL IV VIATRIS may interfere with each other. These include:
- other beta-blocker medicines, including beta-blocker eye drops
- calcium channel blockers or calcium antagonists, medicines used to treat high blood pressure or angina, for example verapamil and diltiazem
- medicines used to treat blood pressure, for example clonidine, hydralazine, and prazosin
- medicines used to treat abnormal or irregular heartbeat, for example amiodarone, disopyramide and quinidine
- medicines used to treat arthritis, pain, or inflammation, for example indometacin and ibuprofen
- warfarin, a medicine used to prevent blood clots
- digoxin, a medicine used to treat heart failure
- medicines used to treat diabetes
- cimetidine, a medicine use to treat stomach ulcers
- medicines used to treat bacterial infections, for example rifampicin
- medicines used to treat depression
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
These medicines may be affected by METOPROLOL IV VIATRIS or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines or you may need to take different medicines
Your doctor, nurse and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while using this medicine.
How METOPROLOL IV VIATRIS is given
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
METOPROLOL IV VIATRIS is given as a slow injection into a vein.
It should only be given by a doctor or nurse.
Your doctor will decide what dose and for how long you will receive METOPROLOL IV VIATRIS. This will depend on your condition and other factors, such as your weight.
To begin treatment, up to 5 mg of METOPROLOL IV VIATRIS is given at a rate of 1 to 2 mg per minute. This dose may be repeated at 5-minute intervals until a satisfactory effect is achieved.
Your blood pressure and heart will be monitored during treatment.
If you are given too much
As this is given by a doctor or nurse it is unlikely that you will be given too much METOPROLOL IV VIATRIS. However, if you are accidentally given too much METOPROLOL IV VIATRIS you may experience nausea, vomiting, convulsions, an extreme slowing of the heartbeat, lowered blood pressure, possible heart failure and breathing difficulties.
In extreme cases, your skin may turn blue, and you may go into shock, unconsciousness or coma.
Your doctor has information on how to recognise and treat an overdose. Ask your doctor if you have any concerns.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are being given METOPROLOL IV VIATRIS.
This medicine helps most people with an irregular heartbeat, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
If you are over 65 years of age you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.
Do not be alarmed by the following list of side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or nurse to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- swelling, burning sensation, changes in skin colour or texture where you had the injection
- swelling or pain in a vein
- headache, tiredness, drowsiness
- aches and pains, painful joints
- nausea (feeling sick), vomiting
- weakness, lack of energy
- stomach upset, diarrhoea or constipation
- dry mouth, changes in taste sensation
- difficulty sleeping, nightmares
- mood changes
- confusion, short-term memory loss, inability to concentrate
- increased sweating, runny or blocked nose
- hair loss
- weight gain
These side effects are usually mild.
Tell your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:
- dizziness, light-headedness or fainting especially on standing up
- tingling or “pins and needles”
- coldness, burning, numbness or pain in the arms and/or legs
- skin rash or worsening of psoriasis
- symptoms of sunburn happening more quickly than before
- abnormal thinking or hallucinations
- buzzing or ringing in the ears, deafness
- irritated eyes or blurred vision
- sexual problems
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- constant “flu-like” symptoms with tiredness or lack of energy
These are serious side effects. You may need medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.
If any of the following happen, tell your doctor or nurse immediately:
- shortness of breath, being less able to exercise
- swelling of the ankles, feet or legs
- chest tightness, wheezing, noisy breathing, difficulty breathing
- chest pain, changes in heart rate or palpitations
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat which may cause difficulty swallowing or breathing
- yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), generally feeling unwell
These are very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. These side effects are rare.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.
After being given METOPROLOL IV VIATRIS
Storage
METOPROLOL IV VIATRIS will be stored in the hospital pharmacy or on the ward.
The medicine is kept in a cool, dry place, protected from light, where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Product description
What METOPROLOL IV VIATRIS looks like:
METOPROLOL IV VIATRIS is a clear liquid packaged in 5 mL glass vials containing the active ingredient, metoprolol tartrate.
The medicine comes in packs of 5 vials.
Ingredients
Each vial of METOPROLOL IV VIATRIS contains 5 mg of metoprolol tartrate as the active ingredient.
The vials also contain sodium chloride and water for injections.
Sponsor
Alphapharm Pty Ltd trading as Viatris
Level 1, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
www.viatris.com.au
Phone: 1800 274 276
Australian Registration Number:
METOPROLOL IV VIATRIS – AUST R 204665
This leaflet was prepared in May 2022.
METOPROLOL IV VIATRIS_cmiMay22/00
Published by MIMS June 2022