Patient was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Metoprolol as follows:
- Be aware of signs and symptoms of bradycardia and hypotension, to avoid any episodes of altered levels of consciousness and accidental falls. One should stay away from activities, such as, driving and operating heavy machinery, until they are used to the side effects caused by the Metoprolol.
- Metoprolol can be combined with a diuretic, which helps with fluid volume loss and prevent exacerbation of symptoms of heart failure.
- Metoprolol can also be used in combination with ACE inhibitors, which bring on vasodilation and help reduce the blood pressure. Reduction in blood pressure also reduces workload on the heart and prevent exacerbation of symptoms of heart failure.
- Try changing the positions very slowly, as sudden change of positions can make the hypotensive episodes even worse and precipitate accidents and falls.
- Keep a close watch on symptoms of worsening heart failure, such as, increasing fluid retention, edema, acute weight gain, exacerbation of shortness of breath and report them to your physician immediately.
