Kapspargo Sprinkle ER 100mg Caps
Overview
What is this medicine?
How to Use This Medicine
To get the most benefit from your medication, follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Read all the information provided to you and follow the instructions closely. You can take this medication with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole - do not chew or crush it. If you have difficulty swallowing the tablet whole, you can sprinkle the contents onto a soft food like applesauce, pudding, or yogurt. If you do this, be sure to swallow the mixture within 60 minutes of mixing, without chewing. Do not prepare a dose in advance or store it for future use.
Continue taking your medication as directed by your doctor or healthcare provider, even if you start to feel well. If you have a feeding tube, you can still use this medication - follow the instructions provided by your healthcare provider. After administering the medication through the feeding tube, be sure to flush the tube.
Storing and Disposing of Your Medication
Store your medication at room temperature in a dry place, away from the bathroom. Protect it from heat.
What to Do If You Miss a Dose
If you miss a dose, skip it and take your next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses at the same time or take extra doses to make up for the missed dose.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Take medication exactly as prescribed, do not stop abruptly.
- Monitor blood pressure and heart rate regularly at home.
- Maintain a healthy diet (low sodium, low fat).
- Engage in regular physical activity as advised by your doctor.
- Limit alcohol intake.
- Quit smoking.
- Manage stress.
- Inform all healthcare providers that you are taking this medication.
Available Forms & Alternatives
Dosing & Administration
Adult Dosing
Condition-Specific Dosing:
Pediatric Dosing
Dose Adjustments
Renal Impairment:
Hepatic Impairment:
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
Distribution:
Elimination:
Pharmacodynamics
Safety & Warnings
BLACK BOX WARNING
Side Effects
Although rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects while taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention:
Signs of an allergic reaction, such as:
+ Rash
+ Hives
+ Itching
+ Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
+ Wheezing
+ Tightness in the chest or throat
+ Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
+ Unusual hoarseness
+ Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
Signs of low blood sugar, including:
+ Dizziness
+ Headache
+ Feeling sleepy
+ Feeling weak
+ Shaking
+ Fast heartbeat
+ Confusion
+ Hunger
+ Sweating
Depression
Severe dizziness or fainting
New or worsening chest pain
New or worsening abnormal heartbeat
Slow heartbeat
Shortness of breath, significant weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs
Other Possible Side Effects
Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. While many people may not experience any side effects or only minor ones, it's essential to discuss any concerns with your doctor. If you experience any of the following side effects or any other unusual symptoms that bother you or persist, contact your doctor for guidance:
Feeling dizzy, tired, or weak
Diarrhea
Upset stomach
Vomiting
Reporting Side Effects
This list is not exhaustive, and you may experience other side effects not mentioned here. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, consult your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:
- Severe dizziness or fainting
- Very slow heart rate (e.g., less than 50 beats per minute)
- New or worsening shortness of breath
- Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
- Unusual weight gain
- Severe fatigue or weakness
- Coldness or numbness in fingers and toes
- Symptoms of depression (e.g., persistent sadness, loss of interest)
Before Using This Medicine
It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:
Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances. Be sure to describe the allergic reaction and its symptoms.
Certain heart conditions, such as:
+ Abnormal heart rhythms (heart block or sick-sinus syndrome)
+ Heart failure (a weakened heart)
+ Low blood pressure
+ Poor blood circulation to the arms or legs
+ Shock caused by heart problems
+ A slow heartbeat
Respiratory issues, including:
+ Asthma
+ Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other breathing problems
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of potential interactions. To ensure your safety, it is crucial to discuss all of your:
Medications (prescription, over-the-counter, natural products, and vitamins)
* Health problems
with your doctor and pharmacist. They will help you determine whether it is safe to take this medication in conjunction with your other treatments and health conditions. Never start, stop, or adjust the dosage of any medication without first consulting your doctor.
Precautions & Cautions
It is essential to inform all your healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists, that you are taking this medication.
Caution with Daily Activities
Avoid driving and performing tasks that require alertness until you understand how this medication affects you. To minimize the risk of dizziness or fainting, rise slowly from a sitting or lying down position, and be cautious when climbing stairs.
Monitoring Your Condition
Follow your doctor's instructions for checking your blood pressure and heart rate. Additionally, have your blood work and other laboratory tests done as directed by your doctor.
Interference with Lab Tests
This medication may affect certain laboratory tests. Inform all your healthcare providers and laboratory personnel that you are taking this medication.
Risk of Low Blood Sugar
This medication may mask symptoms of low blood sugar, such as a rapid heartbeat, which can increase the risk of severe or prolonged low blood sugar. This is particularly concerning for individuals with diabetes, children, and those who are fasting, undergoing surgery, or experiencing nausea and vomiting. If you have questions or concerns, discuss them with your doctor.
Managing High Blood Sugar
If you have diabetes, it is crucial to closely monitor your blood sugar levels while taking this medication.
Interactions with Other Medications
If you have high blood pressure and are taking this medication, consult your doctor before using over-the-counter products that may increase blood pressure, such as cough and cold medications, diet pills, stimulants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen, and certain natural products or aids.
Discontinuing the Medication
Do not stop taking this medication abruptly, as this may lead to worsened chest pain or even a heart attack, particularly if you have certain types of heart disease. To avoid side effects, your doctor will instruct you on how to gradually discontinue the medication. If you experience new or worsening chest pain or other heart problems, contact your doctor immediately.
Overactive Thyroid
This medication may make it more challenging to recognize symptoms of an overactive thyroid, such as a rapid heartbeat. If you have an overactive thyroid and stop taking this medication suddenly, your condition may worsen and become life-threatening. Consult your doctor for guidance.
Allergic Reactions
If you have a history of severe allergic reactions, discuss this with your doctor, as you may be at risk of an even more severe reaction if you are exposed to the allergen again. If you use epinephrine to treat severe allergic reactions, inform your doctor, as this medication may reduce the effectiveness of epinephrine.
Alcohol Consumption
Avoid consuming alcohol while taking this medication.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, inform your doctor to discuss the benefits and risks of this medication to you and your baby.
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- Severe bradycardia (very slow heart rate)
- Hypotension (very low blood pressure)
- Cardiogenic shock
- Bronchospasm (difficulty breathing)
- Heart failure
- Hypoglycemia
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Cardiac arrest
What to Do:
Seek immediate medical attention. Call 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Treatment may involve atropine for bradycardia, glucagon, vasopressors, and bronchodilators.
Drug Interactions
Contraindicated Interactions
- MAO inhibitors (non-selective, due to potential for hypertensive crisis if used with other sympathomimetics, though direct interaction with metoprolol is less clear)
- Strong CYP2D6 inhibitors (e.g., quinidine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, propafenone, ritonavir) in patients who are extensive metabolizers, leading to significantly increased metoprolol levels and risk of toxicity.
Major Interactions
- Verapamil, Diltiazem (increased risk of bradycardia, AV block, hypotension, heart failure exacerbation)
- Clonidine (potential for rebound hypertension upon clonidine withdrawal if beta-blocker is not tapered first)
- Digoxin (additive bradycardia)
- Other beta-blockers (additive effects)
- Reserpine, Guanethidine (additive hypotensive and bradycardic effects)
- Fingolimod (severe bradycardia and heart block)
- Strong CYP2D6 inhibitors (e.g., bupropion, duloxetine, terbinafine) - significant increase in metoprolol exposure.
Moderate Interactions
- NSAIDs (may reduce antihypertensive effect of metoprolol)
- Rifampin (decreased metoprolol levels due to enzyme induction)
- Cimetidine (increased metoprolol levels due to enzyme inhibition)
- Hydralazine (increased metoprolol levels)
- Alcohol (may increase metoprolol levels)
- Insulin and oral hypoglycemics (beta-blockers may mask symptoms of hypoglycemia and prolong hypoglycemic episodes)
- Epinephrine (paradoxical hypertension and bradycardia)
Minor Interactions
- Antacids (may slightly decrease metoprolol absorption)
Monitoring
Baseline Monitoring
Rationale: To establish baseline and guide initial dosing for hypertension/angina.
Timing: Prior to initiation
Rationale: To establish baseline and assess for bradycardia.
Timing: Prior to initiation
Rationale: To assess for pre-existing conduction abnormalities (e.g., AV block).
Timing: Prior to initiation (especially in heart failure patients)
Rationale: To assess kidney health, though metoprolol is primarily hepatically metabolized, renal function is important for overall patient assessment.
Timing: Prior to initiation
Rationale: To assess liver health, as metoprolol is hepatically metabolized.
Timing: Prior to initiation
Routine Monitoring
Frequency: Regularly (e.g., weekly during titration, then monthly/quarterly)
Target: <130/80 mmHg (or individualized target)
Action Threshold: Systolic >140 mmHg or Diastolic >90 mmHg (consider dose increase); Systolic <90 mmHg or symptomatic hypotension (consider dose decrease)
Frequency: Regularly (e.g., weekly during titration, then monthly/quarterly)
Target: 50-70 bpm (resting)
Action Threshold: <50 bpm or symptomatic bradycardia (consider dose decrease or discontinuation)
Frequency: Regularly (especially in heart failure patients)
Target: Improvement or stability of symptoms (e.g., dyspnea, edema, fatigue)
Action Threshold: Worsening symptoms (consider dose adjustment, diuretic, or other HF therapy)
Frequency: Regularly (as per diabetes management guidelines)
Target: Individualized
Action Threshold: Frequent or severe hypoglycemia (beta-blockers can mask symptoms)
Symptom Monitoring
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in ankles/feet
- Weight gain
- Chest pain
- Cold hands/feet
- Depression
- Sexual dysfunction
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
Category C. Use during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Beta-blockers can cause fetal/neonatal bradycardia, hypoglycemia, and respiratory depression. Neonates should be monitored for signs of beta-blockade for 48-72 hours after birth.
Trimester-Specific Risks:
Lactation
L3 (Moderately Safe). Metoprolol is excreted into breast milk in small amounts. Monitor breastfed infants for signs of beta-blockade (e.g., bradycardia, lethargy, poor feeding). Generally considered compatible with breastfeeding, especially with extended-release formulations due to lower peak levels.
Pediatric Use
Safety and efficacy for hypertension established in children 6 years and older. Dosing is weight-based. Not recommended for heart failure or angina in pediatric patients. Close monitoring for adverse effects is crucial.
Geriatric Use
No overall differences in safety or effectiveness have been observed between elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out. Start with lower doses and titrate slowly due to potential for decreased hepatic metabolism and increased sensitivity to hypotensive/bradycardic effects. Monitor renal function.
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- Kapspargo Sprinkle ER capsules can be opened and the beads sprinkled on a spoonful of soft food (e.g., applesauce, pudding, yogurt) and swallowed immediately without chewing. Do not crush or chew the beads.
- Do not discontinue metoprolol abruptly, especially in patients with ischemic heart disease, due to the risk of rebound angina, myocardial infarction, or sudden death. Taper dose gradually over 1-2 weeks.
- Use with caution in patients with bronchospastic diseases (e.g., asthma, COPD) as even beta-1 selective agents can cause bronchoconstriction at higher doses or in susceptible individuals. A beta-1 selective agent like metoprolol is preferred over non-selective beta-blockers if a beta-blocker is necessary.
- Beta-blockers can mask symptoms of hypoglycemia (e.g., tremor, palpitations) in diabetic patients. Monitor blood glucose closely.
- Monitor for signs of worsening heart failure, especially during initiation or dose titration in heart failure patients, as beta-blockers can initially worsen symptoms before providing long-term benefit.
- Patients should be advised to report any symptoms of bradycardia, dizziness, or shortness of breath.
Alternative Therapies
- Other beta-blockers (e.g., carvedilol, bisoprolol, atenolol, nebivolol)
- ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril, enalapril)
- Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) (e.g., valsartan, losartan)
- Calcium Channel Blockers (e.g., amlodipine, felodipine, verapamil, diltiazem)
- Thiazide diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide)
- Alpha-blockers (e.g., prazosin, doxazosin)
- Direct vasodilators (e.g., hydralazine, minoxidil)