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Skip to ContentGeneric Name: metoprolol (me TOE pro lol)
Brand Names:Lopressor, Toprol-XL
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 purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to metoprolol, or if you have a seriousheart problem such as heart block, sick sinus syndrome, or slow heart rate.
Before taking metoprolol, tell your doctor if you have pheochromocytoma, circulation problems, congestive heart failure, asthma or other breathing problems, diabetes, low blood pressure, depression, liver or kidney disease, a thyroid disorder, or myasthenia gravis.
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.
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 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.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to metoprolol, or if you have a serious heart problem such as heart block, sick sinus syndrome, or slowheart rate.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use metoprolol:
pheochromocytoma; or
problems with circulation (such as Raynaud's syndrome);
congestive heart failure;
asthma, bronchitis, emphysema;
diabetes;
low blood pressure;
depression;
liver or kidney disease;
a thyroid disorder; or
myasthenia gravis.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether metoprolol is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if ou 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.
See also:Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings in more detail
Take metoprolol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
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.
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.
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Metoprolol overdose symptoms may include slow or uneven heartbeats, shortness of breath, bluish-colored fingernails, dizziness, weakness or fainting.
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.
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:
slow or uneven heartbeats;
feeling light-headed, fainting;
feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
swelling of your ankles or feet;
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
depression; or
cold feeling in your hands and feet.
Less serious metoprolol side effects may include:
vomiting;
decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm;
sleep problems (insomnia);
tired feeling; or
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. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
See also:Metoprolol side effects in more detail
Before taking metoprolol, tell your doctor if you are using:
digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);
clonidine (Catapres);
ritonavir (Norvir);
terbinafine (Lamisil);
anti-malaria medications such as chloroquine (Aralen) or hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil, Quineprox);
medicine to treat depression or mental illness, such as bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), paroxetine (Paxil), thioridazine (Mellaril), and others;
an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam);
a diabetes medication such as insulin, glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase), glipizide (Glucotrol), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), or metformin (Glucophage);
a heart medication such as nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex), propafenone (Rythmol), reserpine (Serpasil), verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Isoptin), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem);
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);
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
cold medicines, stimulant medicines, or diet pills.
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to take metoprolol, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect 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.
Metoprolol is available with a prescription under the brand names Lopressor and Toprol XL. Other brand or generic formulations of this medication may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
Lopressor 50 mg - pink, capsule-shaped, scored tablets
Lopressor 100 mg - light-blue, capsule-shaped, scored tablets
Toprol XL 50 mg extended-release tablets - white, round, film-coated, scored tablets
Toprol XL 100 mg extended-release tablets - white, round, film-coated, scored tablets
Toprol XL 200 mg extended-release tablets - white, oval, film-coated, scored tablets
Copyright 1996-2009 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 12.01. Revision Date: 05/18/2009 9:43:52 AM.
Approval History Drug history at FDA
Availability Prescription only
Pregnancy Category Risk cannot be ruled out
CSA Schedule Not a controlled drug
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Data sources include Micromedex™[Updated 10 November 2009], Cerner Multum™[Updated 11 December 2009], Wolters Kluwer™[Updated 5 January 2010] and others. To view content sources and attributions, refer to oureditorial policy.
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