How long does it take for Metoprolol to work for anxiety?

This article will focus on explaining how long it takes for Metoprolol to work when you take it for anxiety. Aside from that, the article will explain what Metoprolol is, how it works, its side effects, and what are things you should take into consideration when taking Metoprolol for anxiety.

How long does it take for Metoprolol to work for anxiety?

When you take Metoprolol for anxiety, you can feel its effects rather fast. If you take Metoprolol tartrate, you will likely feel its effect within the first hours after you take it, and the benefits will most likely go on from six to twelve hours.

If you take injectable Metoprolol tartrate, you can begin to feel its effects about twenty minutes after you inject it, and it can go on from five to eight hours depending on how big a dose you take. But if you take oral Metoprolol succinate extended-release tablets, it will reach its peak effect around seven hours after you take it. 

But it is your doctor that will define which type you will use based on the condition you have, and your line of treatment. But before you start taking Metoprolol for anxiety, let’s understand a little more about this medication.

What is Metoprolol? 

Metoprolol is a medication of the beta-blockers family. It is often prescribed for people that have heart conditions because it will prevent adrenaline, the hormone related to stress to affect the person’s heart, decreasing their chances of having their heart problems worse.

But Metoprolol and other beta-blockers have been prescribed, over time for an off-label treatment, they have been used to treat symptoms of anxiety. That is because Metoprolol will significantly reduce many of the physical symptoms that are associated with anxiety.

Metoprolol can come in two forms, it can be Metoprolol tartrate which goes on for less time, and it often is a lower dosage, but its effect can be felt rather quickly. And Metoprolol succinate will last longer, even though it takes some time for you to feel its effect. 

It is a medication that will only be bought if you have a prescription. And like all of those drugs, you should take them as prescribed by your doctor. Don’t take more than prescribed, and don’t stop taking it without discussing it with your doctor.

How does Metoprolol work when taking it for anxiety? 

Metoprolol, as said, will work on the physical symptoms of anxiety. It can improve the fast heartbeat, sweating, dizziness, and shaky voice and hands someone can experience when anxious. 

But it is important to say that the use of Metoprolol won’t treat the person’s anxiety disorder, and that is why it is mostly prescribed, to people with anxiety disorder, as part of a treatment that can also include therapy, lifestyle changes, and other medications. 

And even though some people may use Metoprolol continuously as part of their treatment against anxiety, some may only take it when faced with situations that will lead them to feel stressed or anxious such as when they are doing a job presentation.

What are the side effects of Metoprolol? 

As with any other type of beta-blockers, Metoprolol can also lead you to experience some side effects. Most of them are mild and can start as you begin taking the medication and go on until your body adjusts to it.

The most common side effects of Metoprolol are: feeling bloated, low libido, change in bowel movement, dry mouth, lower motivation, irritability, and feeling tired. Those mild side effects should be gone after a while, but if they don’t get in touch with your doctor so they can adjust the dosage, or even change the medication.

But there are some side effects to Metoprolol that should lead you to look for a doctor right away. They are blurred vision, chest pain, confusion, dizziness, slower or irregular heartbeat, and sweating.

What you should take under consideration when taking Metoprolol?

If you and your doctor are discussing that you should start taking Metoprolol for anxiety, know that there are some things you should take under consideration before taking it. The first one is that you shouldn’t do it if you are allergic to the medication.

Aside from that, let your doctor know of all the other medications you are taking. That will allow them to consider if one will interact with the other. This is extremely important since drug interaction can prevent the medication from working as it should, and it can even lead your condition to become worse.

Metoprolol should also be avoided by people that have a history of low blood pressure, slow heartbeat, heart failure, or circulation problems. Women that are pregnant, or breastfeeding should also consider other possibilities than taking Metoprolol for anxiety, and if there is no other option, they should be observed closely by their doctors.

People who smoke, have asthma or have lung and liver problems should also prevent from taking Metoprolol. The medication can also make it harder to identify signs of low blood sugar in people with diabetes.

As said before, you should never take more of the medication than what is prescribed by your doctor. If that is the case, know that it is possible to have an overdose of Metoprolol. And when that happens the person may notice their fingernails, lips, and skin turn bluish, their level of consciousness can also change, or they can lose it.

When an overdose, the person can also lose their pulse, their heart can stop, and people can become extremely sleepy. In those cases, it is important to get to an emergency room right away. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): How long does it take for Metoprolol to work for anxiety? 

Is anxiety normal?

Commonly, everyone will feel anxious at one moment or another. Doing a job interview, or going on a first date is just one of the few things that can cause you to feel anxious. In those cases, it will likely lead to apprehension or feeling nervous.

Some moments in your life may lead you to feel tense, and anxious, but normally, once those moments are gone, you can begin to feel better. But to some people anxiety will keep happening more constantly, and the intensity of this year will bring some disruption to the person’s life. That is when anxiety may be turning into a disorder.

Can I be cured of anxiety? 

No, a person can’t be cured of anxiety in the sense that they will never experience the condition again in their life. That is because there is a genetic factor that causes the person to develop anxiety. So even though the person goes through treatment, they won’t be able to change that genetic predisposition. 

But anxiety can be managed and treated, and by doing so the person will have a better understanding of what triggers the anxiety, the root of their problem, and it may be that they won’t be so impacted by it.

What are the most common symptoms of anxiety? 

Anxiety will often manifest itself through physical and emotional symptoms. The most common physical symptoms are increased heart rate, breathing rapidly, sweating, trembling, feeling weak, feeling tired, trouble focusing, and gastrointestinal problems. 

As for the emotional symptoms related to anxiety, the most common ones are: feeling nervous, inability to relax, or feeling tense. Along with a sense of impending doom, or danger. 

It will also cause the person to have trouble thinking about anything else aside from the matter that is worrying them at the moment, and this may be difficult to control. Aside from that, people with anxiety may have trouble sleeping, and try to avoid what is triggering their anxiety.

How can I cope with anxiety? 

Aside from medication and therapy, there are some other ways you can try to cope with it. The first thing you can try to do is practice some breathing exercises or meditation. Those will help you center yourself, and move away from all those worries.

Focusing on your self-care, such as massage, or other things that cause you to feel good, will be a great way to cope with anxiety. You should always keep in mind that it is important to take some time for yourself, to do something fun.

You can consider taking a day trip, an outing with friends or other things you find fun can be a great help in battling anxiety. All of that will likely reduce your stress levels and make you less anxious.

You should also be careful about what you drink. Anything that contains caffeine can make you more agitated, and make your anxiety worse. You should also avoid having sugar, and processed food, which can often make you even more anxious because they can have a stimulant effect.

Having a healthy lifestyle, in which you eat healthy food, and lots of greens can have a calming effect. You can try green juices, for example. Exercising also works wonders when you are dealing with anxiety. It will reduce your stress levels, and make your mood better.

Aside from that try to have a good sleep schedule since the lack of sleep can also cause you to be more anxious. 

What are the 5  major types of anxiety?

Anxiety has many types that relate to the main causes a person is anxious. The five major types are Generalized Anxiety Disorder, in which the person can feel extreme anxiety in even the most ordinary events. 

Panic disorder is also one of the most intense forms of anxiety disorder. In this one, the person will repeatedly have peaks of anxiety that will manifest intensely.

Social anxiety disorder is another intense form of anxiety. It is characterized by the fear and sense of avoidance one may have when in social situations. In social anxiety, the person may fear they will be judged by people around them.

Post-traumatic stress disorder is another major form of anxiety. This one is developed when the person is exposed to a traumatic event, and each time the memory of that event is triggered, they will experience intense anxiety symptoms.

Finally, Obsessive-compulsive disorder is also a form of major anxiety. In it, the person will have a compulsion to repeat some actions as a way to get some relief from their anxiety symptoms.

Conclusion 

This article showed how long it takes for Metoprolol to work for anxiety. The article also explained what Metoprolol is, how it works, its main side effects, and what are things to take into consideration when taking Metoprolol.

If you have any questions or comments about this article, feel free to write them in the section below.

References

https://ro.co/health-guide/metoprolol-for-anxiety/

https://www.drugs.com/tips/metoprolol-patient-tips

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