Doses - METOPROLOL TARTRATE, METOPROLOL SUCCINATE

Dogs:

As an oral beta blocker:
a) 5 - 50 mg (total dose) two to three times a day; initial dose should be low followed byindividual dosage titration. (Ware 1992)
b) 5 - 60 mg (total dose) PO q8h (Papich 1992)
c) As adjunctive therapy (with a class I drug) for ventricular arrhythmias in patients whohave responded adequately to shock: 0.2 - 0.4 mg/kg PO q12h (Russell and Rush1995)

Cats:

As an oral beta blocker:
a) 2 - 15 mg (total dose) PO q8h (Papich 1992)
Monitoring Parameters - 1) Cardiac function, pulse rate, ECG if necessary, BP if indicated; 2)
Toxicity (see Adverse Effects/Overdosage)
Client Information - To be effective, the animal must receive all doses as prescribed. Notifyveterinarian if animal becomes lethargic or becomes exercise intolerant, has shortness of breath orcough, or develops a change in behavior or attitude.
Dosage Forms/Preparations/FDA Approval Status/Withholding Times - Veterinary-Approved Products: None

Human-Approved Products:

Metoprolol Tartrate Oral Tablets 50 mg, 100 mg; Lopressor® (Geigy); generic (Rx)
Metoprolol Succinate Extended Release Tablets equivalent to metoprolol tartrate: 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg; Toprol XL® (Astra); (Rx)
Metoprolol Tartrate Injection 1 mg/ml in 5 ml amps; Lopressor® (Geigy); Generic (Rx)