Drug NameLopressor (Metoprolol) Drug UsesLopressor is used for treating high blood pressure, alone or with other medicines; long-term treatment of chest pain; and reducing the risk of death because of heart problems in patients who have had a heart attack. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. How to useUse Lopressor as directed by your doctor.
- Take Lopressor exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor.
- Take this medication with a full glass of water.
- To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Lopressor. Drug Class and MechanismLopressor is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent. It works by reducing the amount of work the heart has to do (reduces chest pain) and the amount of blood the heart pumps out (lowers high blood pressure). It is also used to stabilize the heart rhythm in conditions in which the heart is beating too fast or at an irregular rhythm. Missed DoseIf you miss a dose of Lopressor , use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once. Storage Store Lopressor at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Lopressor out of the reach of children and away from pets. Possible Side EffectsCheck with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:
- blurred vision; cold hands and feet; confusion; constipation; depression; diarrhea; dizziness; dry mouth/eyes; gas; hair loss; headache; heartburn; itching; lightheadedness; mild drowsiness; muscle aches; nausea; nightmares; ringing in the ears; short-term memory loss; sleeplessness; stomach pain; unusual tiredness or weakness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:
- severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; fainting; pounding in the chest; swelling of the arms, hands, and feet; wheezing; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
More InformationLopressor is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor. Warnings/PrecautionsDo not use Lopressor if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Lopressor ;
- you have a very slow heart rate condition (eg, bradycardia, AV block); heart failure controlled by diuretics (eg, furosemide) and digoxin; or very low systolic blood pressure (less than 100 mm Hg);
- you are taking Mibefradil.
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Important :
- Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Patients being treated for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel normal. Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
- If you have angina (chest pain) or have had other heart problems, do not suddenly stop taking Lopressor without first consulting your doctor. If your doctor decides you should no longer use Lopressor, you will need to stop Lopressor gradually according to your doctor's instructions.
- If your doctor has instructed you to check your blood pressure and heart rate regularly, be sure to do so.
- Do not take any medicines used to treat colds or congestion without first consulting with your doctor or pharmacist.
- Diabetes patients - Lopressor may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Lopressor before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Lab tests, including liver and kidney function, blood pressure, and complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Lopressor . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Lopressor with extreme caution in children; safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Lopressor while you are pregnant. Lopressor is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Lopressor , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
What is Lopressor (metoprolol)?
Metoprolol is in a group of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins).
Metoprolol is used to treat angina (chest pain) and hypertension (high blood pressure). It is also used to treat or prevent heart attack.
Metoprolol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Lopressor (metoprolol)?
Do not stop taking metoprolol without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.
If you need to have any type of surgery, you may need to temporarily stop using metoprolol. Be sure the surgeon knows ahead of time that you are using metoprolol.
Metoprolol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol, which could increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking metoprolol.
Metoprolol is only part of a complete program of treatment for hypertension that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely if you are being treated for hypertension.
Hypertension often has no symptoms, so you may not even feel that you have high blood pressure. Continue using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Lopressor (metoprolol)?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to metoprolol, or if you have:
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a heart problem such as heart block, sick sinus syndrome, or slow heart rate;
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pheochromocytoma; or
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problems with circulation (such as Raynaud's syndrome).
Before taking metoprolol, tell your doctor if you have:
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congestive heart failure;
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asthma, bronchitis, emphysema;
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diabetes;
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low blood pressure;
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depression;
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liver or kidney disease;
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a thyroid disorder; or
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myasthenia gravis.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take metoprolol.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Metoprolol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take Lopressor (metoprolol)?
Take metoprolol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow your doctor's instructions.
Take this medication with a full glass of water.
Take metoprolol at the same time every day.
Metoprolol should be taken with food or just after a meal. A Toprol XL tablet can be divided in half if your doctor has told you to do so. The half tablet should be swallowed whole, without chewing or crushing. Chewing or crushing the pill could cause too much of the drug to be released at one time. Do not skip doses or stop taking metoprolol without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon that you are using metoprolol. You may need to briefly stop using metoprolol before having surgery.
Metoprolol is only part of a complete program of treatment for hypertension that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely if you are being treated for hypertension.
Hypertension often has no symptoms, so you may not even feel that you have high blood pressure. Continue using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Store metoprolol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If your next dose is less than 4 hours away, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include uneven heartbeats, shortness of breath, bluish-colored fingernails, dizziness, weakness, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).
What should I avoid while taking Lopressor (metoprolol)?
Metoprolol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol, which could increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking metoprolol.
Lopressor (metoprolol) side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
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slow or uneven heartbeats;
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feeling light-headed, fainting;
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feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
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swelling of your ankles or feet;
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nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
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depression; or
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cold feeling in your hands and feet.
Less serious side effects may include:
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vomiting;
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decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm;
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sleep problems (insomnia);
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tired feeling; or
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anxiety, nervousness.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
What other drugs will affect Lopressor (metoprolol)?
Before taking metoprolol, tell your doctor if you are using:
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digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);
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clonidine (Catapres);
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ritonavir (Norvir);
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terbinafine (Lamisil);
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anti-malaria medications such as chloroquine (Aralen) or hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil, Quineprox);
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medicine to treat depression or mental illness, such as bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), paroxetine (Paxil), thioridazine (Mellaril), and others;
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an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam);
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a diabetes medication such as insulin, glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase), glipizide (Glucotrol), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), or metformin (Glucophage);
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a heart medication such as nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex), propafenone (Rythmol), reserpine (Serpasil), verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Isoptin), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem);
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medicine for asthma or other breathing disorders, such as albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil), bitolterol (Tornalate), metaproterenol (Alupent), pirbuterol (Maxair), terbutaline (Brethaire, Brethine, Bricanyl), and theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair);
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a diuretic (water pill) such as amiloride (Midamor, Moduretic), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Lopressor, Vasoretic, Zestoretic), spironolactone (Aldactazide, Aldactone), triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide, Dyazide), torsemide (Demadex), and others; or
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cold medicines, stimulant medicines, or diet pills.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with metoprolol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about metoprolol.
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