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.
Metoprolol
Generic Name: metoprolol (me TOE
pro lol)
Brand names: Lopressor, Betaloc, low
press
What is
metoprolol?
Metoprolol is in a group of drugs called
beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the
heart and circulation (blood flow
through arteries and veins).
Important
information about
metoprolol
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
slow heart rate.
Before taking metoprolol, tell your
doctor if you have congestive heart
failure, low blood pressure, circulation
problems, pheochromocytoma, asthma
or other breathing problems, diabetes,
depression, liver or kidney disease, a
thyroid disorder, or severe allergies.
Metoprolol may impair your thinking or
reactions. Be careful if you drive or do
anything that requires you to be alert.
Drinking alcohol can increase certain
side effects of this medicine. Do not
stop taking metoprolol without first
talking to your doctor. Stopping
suddenly may make your condition
worse. If you need surgery, tell the
surgeon 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.
If you are being treated for high blood
pressure, keep using metoprolol even if
you feel well. High blood pressure
often has no symptoms. You may need
to use blood pressure medication for
the rest of your life.
Before taking
metoprolol
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
slow heart rate.
If you have any of these other
conditions, you may need a dose
adjustment or special tests to safely
use metoprolol:
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congestive heart failure;
low blood pressure;
pheochromocytoma;
problems with circulation
(such as Raynaud's
syndrome);
asthma, bronchitis,
emphysema;
diabetes;
depression;
liver or kidney disease;
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a thyroid disorder; or
severe allergies.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not
known whether metoprolol will harm an
unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are
pregnant or plan to become pregnant
while using this medication. Metoprolol
can pass into breast milk and may
harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medicine without telling your doctor if
you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take
metoprolol?
Take metoprolol exactly as prescribed
by your doctor. Do not take in larger or
smaller amounts or for longer than
recommended. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
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.
Your blood pressure will need to be
checked often. Visit your doctor
regularly.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon
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.
If you are being treated for high blood
pressure, keep using metoprolol even if
you feel well. High blood pressure
often has no symptoms. 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. Skip the missed dose if it is
almost time for your next scheduled
dose. Do not take extra medicine to
make up the missed dose.
What happens if I
overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention.
Overdose symptoms may include slow
or uneven heartbeats, shortness of
breath, bluish-colored fingernails,
dizziness, weakness, or fainting.
What should I avoid
while taking
metoprolol?
Metoprolol may impair your thinking or
reactions. Be careful if you drive or do
anything that requires you to be alert.
Drinking alcohol can increase certain
side effects of metoprolol.
Metoprolol side
effects
Get emergency medical help if you
have any of these signs of an allergic
reaction to metoprolol: 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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chest pain, pounding
heartbeats or fluttering in
your chest;
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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 hands or
feet;
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nausea, upper stomach
pain, itching, loss of appetite,
dark urine, clay-colored
stools, jaundice (yellowing of
the skin or eyes);
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easy bruising, unusual
bleeding (nose, mouth,
vagina, or rectum), purple or
red pinpoint spots under your
skin;
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wheezing, trouble
breathing;
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depression, confusion,
memory problems,
hallucinations; or
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cold feeling in your hands
and feet.
Less serious metoprolol side effects
may include:
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dry mouth, constipation,
heartburn, vomiting, diarrhea;
decreased sex drive,
impotence, or difficulty
having an orgasm;
headache, drowsiness,
tired feeling;
sleep problems
(insomnia); or
anxiety, nervousness.
What other drugs
will affect
metoprolol?
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Tell your doctor about all other
medicines you use, especially:
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digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);
clonidine (Catapres);
ritonavir (Norvir);
terbinafine (Lamisil);
a diuretic (water pill);
cold medicines, stimulant
medicines, or diet pills;
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;
a MAO inhibitor such as
furazolidone (Furoxone),
isocarboxazid (Marplan),
phenelzine (Nardil),
rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline
(Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar),
or tranylcypromine (Parnate);
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 (Quin-G),
propafenone (Rythmol),
reserpine (Serpasil),
verapamil (Calan, Verelan,
Isoptin), diltiazem (Cartia,
Cardizem); or
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).
This list is not complete and other
drugs may interact with metoprolol. Tell
your doctor about all medications you
use. This includes prescription, overthe-counter, vitamin, and herbal
products. Do not start a new
medication without telling your doctor.