Metocard

Indication

Metoprolol Tartrate injection is indicated for cardiac arrhythmias, especially supraventricular tachycardia, reduction of ventricular rate in atrial fibrillation and ventricular extrasystoles. And also suspected or definite myocardial infarction.

Dosage & Administration

Arrhythmias: By intravenous injection, up to 5 mg at a rate of 1-2 mg/minute, repeated after 5 minutes if necessary, total dose 10-15 mg. In surgery: By slow intravenous injection 2-4 mg at induction or to control arrhythmias developing during anaesthesia; 2 mg doses may be repeated to a maximum of 10 mg. Myocardial Infarction: Early intervention within 12 hours of infarction, by intravenous injection 5 mg every 2 minutes to a maximum of 15 mg, followed after 15 minutes by 50 mg by mouth every 6 hours for 48 hours; maintenance 200 mg daily in divided doses. Impaired Renal Function: Dose adjustment is not needed in patients with impaired renal function. Impaired Hepatic Function: Dose adjustment is not normally needed in patients suffering from liver cirrhosis because Metoprolol has low protein binding (5-10%). When there are signs of serious impairment of liver function (e.g. shunt-operated patients), a reduction in dose should be considered. Elderly: Dose adjustment is not needed.

Precautions

The second or third dose should not be given if the heart rate is <40 beats/minute, the P-R interval is > 0.26 seconds and the systolic blood pressure is <90 mmHg or if there is any aggravation of dyspnoea or cold sweating. Intravenous administration of calcium antagonists of the Verapamil-type should not be given to patients treated with beta-blockers. When treating patients with suspected or definite myocardial infarction, the haemodynamic status of the patient should be carefully monitored after each of the three 5 mg intravenous doses. Use in Pregnancy: As with most medicines, Metoprolol should not be given during pregnancy and lactation unless its use is considered essential. As with all antihypertensive agents, beta-blockers may cause side effects (e.g. bradycardia) in the foetus and in the newborn and breast-fed infant. Use in Lactation: The amount of Metoprolol ingested via breast-milk seems to be negligible as regards beta-blocking effect in the infant if the mother is treated with Metoprolol doses within the normal therapeutic range.