Minax (Metoprolol Tartrate)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Minax Used For?
Minax contains metoprolol tartrate, a beta-blocker medication that helps manage various heart and blood pressure conditions by changing how your body responds to certain nerve signals.
Primary Uses
Minax is prescribed to lower high blood pressure (hypertension), prevent chest pain (angina), treat or prevent heart attacks, reduce risk of heart complications after a heart attack, and prevent migraine headaches.
How It Works
Minax works by reducing your heart’s need for blood and oxygen, decreasing the workload on your heart. It also helps widen blood vessels throughout your body and helps your heart beat more regularly.
Good to know: Your doctor may prescribe Minax alone or in combination with other medicines to effectively treat your condition.
How to Take Minax
Take Minax exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The tablets come in 50mg and 100mg strengths and can be split along the break-line if your doctor prescribes half a tablet.
Dosage Instructions
For high blood pressure: Usually start with 50mg or 100mg once daily for one week, then increase to 50mg or 100mg once or twice daily. For angina: Usually 50mg or 100mg two or three times daily. After heart attack: Usually 100mg twice daily. For migraine prevention: Usually 50mg to 75mg twice daily (100mg to 150mg total per day). Swallow tablets with a glass of water at the same time each day, with or without food.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose (within 6 hours), skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then continue with your regular schedule.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Do not stop taking Minax suddenly – the dose must be reduced gradually over 7 to 14 days.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Headache, tiredness, drowsiness, weakness
- Aches and pains, painful joints
- Nausea, vomiting
- Stomach upset, diarrhea, constipation, weight gain
- Dry mouth, changes in taste
- Difficulty sleeping, nightmares
- Mood changes, depression
- Confusion, memory loss, concentration problems
- Increased sweating, runny or blocked nose
- Hair loss
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting (especially when standing)
- Tingling or pins and needles in hands or feet
- Coldness, burning, numbness in arms/legs
- Skin rash or worsening psoriasis
- Increased sunburn sensitivity
- Abnormal thinking or hallucinations
- Buzzing or ringing in ears, deafness
- Dry or irritated eyes, blurred vision
- Sexual function problems
- Constant flu-like symptoms
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Shortness of breath, reduced exercise ability
- Swelling of ankles, feet, or legs
- Chest tightness, wheezing, breathing difficulties
- Chest pain, heart rate changes, palpitations
- Swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat
- Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
Important Warnings
Minax is not suitable for everyone and requires careful monitoring. Several medical conditions and situations require special attention before starting this medication.
Who Should Not Take Minax
Do not take Minax if you are allergic to metoprolol tartrate or other beta-blockers, have asthma or other lung problems, have a history of allergies including hay fever, have low blood pressure, have a very slow heartbeat (less than 45-50 beats/minute), have certain heart conditions, have untreated phaeochromocytoma (rare adrenal gland tumor), have severe blood vessel disorders causing poor circulation, or are receiving emergency treatment for shock or severely low blood pressure.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have diabetes, overactive thyroid, liver or kidney problems, certain types of angina, other heart problems, phaeochromocytoma, or blood vessel disorders causing poor circulation in arms and legs.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Minax is not recommended during pregnancy. The medication passes into breast milk and may affect breastfed babies. Discuss with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Children: Do not give Minax to children – safety and effectiveness in children has not been established.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interact with Minax and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
- Other beta-blocker medicines, including beta-blocker eye drops
- Calcium channel blockers (verapamil, diltiazem)
- Blood pressure medications (clonidine, hydralazine, prazosin)
- Heart rhythm medications (amiodarone, disopyramide, quinidine)
- Anti-inflammatory drugs (indomethacin, ibuprofen)
- Warfarin (blood thinner)
- Digoxin (heart failure medication)
- Diabetes medications
- Cimetidine (stomach ulcer medication)
- Rifampicin (antibiotic)
- Depression medications
- MAOIs (monoamine-oxidase inhibitors)
Alcohol & Driving
Minax can affect your ability to drive safely and may interact with alcohol. Take precautions to ensure your safety and that of others.
Alcohol
Combining Minax with alcohol can increase drowsiness, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Minax may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, tiredness, or drowsiness. Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Minax affects you.
Temperature Regulation
Dress warmly in cold weather, especially if you’ll be outside for long periods. Minax may make you more sensitive to cold temperatures, particularly if you have circulation problems.
Storage
Keep Minax tablets in their original container until it’s time to take them. Store below 30°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Do not store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground.
Overdose Information
If you think you or someone else has taken too much Minax, seek immediate medical attention. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Overdose symptoms may include severely low blood pressure, fainting, slow heart rate, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, and in extreme cases, serious heart and lung problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
For high blood pressure, you typically start with one dose daily for one week, then the dose may be increased. Your doctor will monitor your progress and adjust the dose as needed for optimal results.
Yes, you can take Minax with or without food. Take it at the same time each day for best results and to help you remember.
Never stop taking Minax suddenly as this may worsen your angina or cause other heart complications. Your doctor will gradually reduce your dose over 7 to 14 days before stopping completely.
Combining Minax with alcohol can make you more drowsy, dizzy, or lightheaded. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol so they can advise you appropriately.
Elderly patients can take Minax but need special monitoring to prevent blood pressure from falling too far. They may have an increased chance of side effects.
If it’s almost time for your next dose (within 6 hours), skip the missed dose. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then continue your regular schedule. Never take a double dose.
Yes, Minax may affect how well your diabetes is controlled and can mask some symptoms of low blood sugar like fast heartbeat. Check your blood sugar regularly and report changes to your doctor.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.