If so and you plan on refilling a prescription in the near future you may be surprised to learn there is a "nationwide shortage" of this very common drug. My pharmacist can't explain it. My doctor can't explain it. A quick google reveals that some are saying this appears to be collusion among six pharmaceutical companies. All six have recently announced the shortage with only one of them giving any reason, which is "increased demand". If it is collusion, to me that sure seems pretty blatant.

I've had to switch to Metoprolol, a common alternative, which so far has not been as effective for me and gives me a constant relentless headache, which I don't even see as a listed side effect.

Anyone here have any thoughts on this?

I get mine from the military. I won't need a refill until next month, so I guess I will find out. Thanks for the information.

There has been a shortage since late July. We received a small shipment a few weeks back but I'm not sure when it's coming back online. Check with your pharmacy on availability. Be proactive and call your doc to change to another beta blocker until Atenolol is back in stock.

quote:

Originally posted by Erick85:
There has been a shortage since late July. We received a small shipment a few weeks back but I'm not sure when it's coming back online. Check with your pharmacy on availability. Be proactive and call your doc to change to another beta blocker until Atenolol is back in stock.

Pharmacy just doesn't know. I've been in contact with my doctor several times over the last week. Actually had a couple of scary days last week while transitioning. My numbers are more close to normal (for me) at this time. We are staying the course for now.

Anyone who can get off Atenolol should. It is a very old drug in the class. That isn't the problem. As a class many benefits have been attributed to the beta blockers. However, many years later when studies were done Atenolol was found to be an exception to the benefits. In some ways it actually works contrary to the benefits that the others in the class provide.

Please make sure your Metoprolol is Succionate, not Tartrate. Tartrate is not only inconvenient at twice daily doses, but also does not have the benefits in a number of circumstances that the Succionate, which is daily, does have.

The headaches may be from a number of causes, but the Metoprolol is highly unlikely to be one, generally speaking. However, coming off the Atenolol can be. Most people can transition off to another BB without much problem. For some, however, the Atenolol seems dug in like a tick. It can be quite difficult to transition from. I've discussed this with some national thought leaders in pharmacology. They don't have good answers. If you still have some Atenolol it may be possible to bridge and overlap the two meds, but this has to be done under close physician instruction and supervision.

Thank you for the insights ChuckFinley.

I have been taking Atenolol for years. My PCP just switched me to Metaprolol Tartrate and I have experienced no ill effects. I take it once a day.

Dan, you're most welcome.

quote:

Originally posted by GaryBF:
I have been taking Atenolol for years. My PCP just switched me to Metaprolol Tartrate and I have experienced no ill effects. I take it once a day.

A. It isn't a once a day medicine.
B. It lacks some of the benefits of Succionate.

quote:

Originally posted by ChuckFinley:
Metoprolol Tartrate ... lacks some of the benefits of Succionate.

Can you give a bit more information re the benefits of Succinate?

Reason I'm asking, I am taking Metoprolol Tartrate. My semi-annual appointment with the Doc is coming up, and this might be something I should discuss with him.

Actually, he was not the one who got me started on Metoprolol Tartrate. I was hospitalized couple of years ago with Guillian Barré, and the hospital cardio doc added Metoprolol Tartrate to my daily Lisinopril. When I got out of the hospital, my primary care Doc just continued what the hospital had started.

From what I’m seeing now, the shortage is over. Inventory is available at our suppliers distribution center.
The only info I was able to find from all manufacturers was a shortage of raw material as the reason for the shortage.
We limited patients to one month supply at a time and managed to meet the demand for everyone.

quote:

Originally posted by ChuckFinley:
Please make sure your Metoprolol is Succionate, not Tartrate. Tartrate is not only inconvenient at twice daily doses, but also does not have the benefits in a number of circumstances that the Succionate, which is daily, does have.

Could you explain further please? I take lopressor (metroprolol) twice daily along with a very small dosage of an ACE inhibitor once a day for BP control.

In the past medical education didn't make much, if any distinction between beta blockers, and certainly not between the two metoprolol formulations. For a long time it was simply a choice based on formulary and whether patients would take a twice a day over a once a day. That actually becomes the first problem. Many patients one way or another will only take metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor) once daily. This doesn't provide 24 hour blood pressure or heart rate control, nor does it provide consistent protection against heart attacks. Given that either metoprolol formulation can be used to manage angina, or the threat of developing angina/symptomatic coronary disease do you want the one that is an immediate release drug, is excreted faster, and cannot be depended on to stick around and to have consistent blood levels and effectiveness?

Metoprolol succinate has since been shown to have superior effectiveness in heart failure patients compared to metoprolol tartrate. A regimen of an ACE inhibitor and a beta blocker can be used not only to treat heart failure, but also to proactively remodel/maintain the heart muscle. In some cases this may delay, prevent or reduce the extent of heart failure that a person may suffer. This can make a difference in mortality.

Thanks Chuck.

Wow, great information here. I checked and it is the succinate that I am taking right now. Looking forward to my next doctor visit to discuss options.