Information about Metoprolol (Generic Lopressor) :


Metoprolol is in the class of beta-blockers. It effects by relaxing the blood vessels, slowing down the heart, and decreasing the amount of blood it pumps out. This lowers blood pressure, helps the heart pump more efficiently, and reduces the workload on the heart. Sometimes it may also be used in patients who had a heart attack to improve survival in certain patients.
It may also be used for other conditions as prescribed by your doctor.

You should not use Metoprolol in case you are allergic to any ingredient in it;
you have a heart problem such as heart block, sick sinus syndrome, or slow heart rate; you have pheochromocytoma; or problems with circulation (such as Raynaud's syndrome).

Before using Metoprolol:
Be aware that Metoprolol may interact with some medical conditions. Consult with your doctor in case you have any medical conditions listed below: congestive heart failure; asthma, bronchitis, emphysema; diabetes; low blood pressure; depression; liver or kidney disease; a thyroid disorder; or myasthenia gravis. If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Metoprolol, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Be aware that Metoprolol may interact with some medicines. Consult with your doctor in case you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the next: 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.

It may not be a complete list of all interactions with other drugs. To prevent any complications you should check with your doctor before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

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.

How to take Metoprolol:
Take this medicine as recommended by your doctor. Metoprolol should be taken at the same time every day with a full glass of water. It is possible to divide a Toprol XL tablet in half in case your doctor has recommended you to do so. Swallow the half tablet whole, without chewing or crushing. Try not to skip doses or stop taking Metoprolol without medical consultation. Be aware that stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

In case you miss a dose of Metoprolol, take it as soon as possible. In case 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 double doses to catch up.

Seek emergency in case overdose is suspected. Symptoms of overdose are uneven heartbeats, shortness of breath, bluish-colored fingernails, dizziness, weakness, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Important safety information:
Metoprolol may impair your thinking or reactions, so be careful when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. You should avoid such activities if you experience dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness or blurred vision. Alcohol and certain other medicines may increase the risk of unfavorable drowsiness and dizziness while taking Metoprolol.

Continue taking Metoprolol, even if you feel well. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life. Do not stop taking metoprolol without first talking to your doctor, as stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

Metoprolol is usually included in a complete program of treatment for hypertension that also consists of diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely if you are being treated for hypertension.

Notify the surgeon that you are taking Metoprolol before you undergo any type of surgery.

Keep Metoprolol at indoor temperature away from moisture and heat.

PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING:
Metoprolol is in FDA pregnancy category C. This medicine is harmful to an unborn baby. Consult with your doctor in case you are pregnant or plan pregnancy while course of treatment. It is known that Metoprolol passes into breast milk. Avoid taking this medicine without medical consultation in case you are breast-feeding a baby.

Possible side effects of Metoprolol:
You should consult with your doctor in case you have any of side effects especially bothersome listed below: vomiting; decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm; sleep problems (insomnia); tired feeling; or anxiety, nervousness.

Seek emergency immediately in case you have any of these severe side effects: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; 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.

Shelf life.
This information is mentioned on each blister. The expiration date is 2 years from the date of manufacture.