Betacard (Metoprolol)

Therapeutic Group : Cardiovascular

Presentation:

Betacard tablet: Each film-coated tablet contains Metoprolol Tartrate USP 50 mg.

Indications:

Betacard is indicated for hypertension, angina, arrhythmia, thyrotoxicosis, acute myocardial infarction, heart failure and migraine prophylaxis.

Dosage & Administration:

Hypertension: Initially 100 mg daily or 50 mg b.i.d, increased if necessary to 200 mg daily in 1-2 divided dose, maximum 400 mg daily.
Angina: 50-100 mg 2–3 times daily
Arrhythmias: Usually 50 mg 2–3 times daily; up to 300 mg daily in divided doses if necessary
Myocardial infarction: Usual maintenance dose is 100 mg twice daily
Migraine prophylaxis: 100–200 mg daily in divided doses
Betacard-XR tablet:
Hypertension: The usual initial dosage is 25-100 mg once daily
Angina: The usual initial dosage is 100 mg once daily
Heart Failure: The recommended starting dose is 25 mg once daily for two weeks in patients with class II heart failure and 12.5 mg once daily in patients with more severe heart failure. The dose should then be doubled every two weeks to the highest dosage level tolerated by the patient or up to 200 mg daily.
Betacard IV Injection:
Arrhythmia: 5 mg at the rate of 1-2 mg/minute, repeated after 5 minutes if necessary, total dose 10-15 mg.

Contrainidications:

Asthma, hypotension, bradycardia, sick-sinus syndrome, cardiogenic shock and severe peripheral vascular disease.

Warning & Precautions:

General: Metoprolol should be used with caution in patients with impaired hepatic function. Information for Patients: Patients should be advised to take Metoprolol regularly and continuously, as directed, with or immediately following meals. If a dose missed, the patient should take only the next scheduled dose (without doubling it). Patient should not discontinue Metoprolol without consulting the physician. Contact the physician if any difficulty in breathing occurs. Inform physician or dentist before any type of surgery that he or she is taking Metoprolol.

Side effects:

Bradycardia, bronchospasm, hypotension, headache, fatigue, sleep & gastro-intestinal disturbances, dizziness, vertigo, visual disturbances etc.

Drug interaction:

Plasma level of Metoprolol may be raised by co-administration of compounds metabolished by CYP2D6 e.g. Antiarrhythmics, antihistamines, H2 receptor antagonists, antidepressants, antipsychotics and COX-2 inhibitors. The plasma conc. of Metoprolol is lowered by Rifampicin.

Use in special groups:

Use in pregnancy: Pregnancy category C drug. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. This drug should be used during pregnancy if only clearly needed.
Use in lactation: Metoprolol is excreated in breast milk in a very small quantities. Caution should be exercised when Metoprolol is administered to a nursing mother.

Packing:

Betacard Tablet: Each box contains 100’s tablets in blister pack.