Toprol-XL

Toprol-XL

Generic Name: metoprolol (me TOE pro lol)

Brand names: Lopressor, Metoprolol Succinate ER, Toprol-XL, Metoprolol Tartrate

What is Toprol-XL?

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Toprol-XL is in a group of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins).

Toprol-XL is used to treat angina (chest pain) and hypertension (high blood pressure). It is also used to treat or prevent heart attack.

Toprol-XL may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Toprol-XL

You should not use Toprol-XL 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 Toprol-XL, 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.

Toprol-XL 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 Toprol-XL. Do not stop taking Toprol-XL 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 Toprol-XL.

Toprol-XL 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 Toprol-XL 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 Toprol-XL

You should not use Toprol-XL 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 Toprol-XL:

congestive heart failure;

low blood pressure;

pheochromocytoma;

problems with circulation (such as Raynaud's syndrome);

asthma, bronchitis, emphysema;

diabetes;

depression;

liver or kidney disease;

a thyroid disorder; or

severe allergies.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Toprol-XL 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 Toprol-XL without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Toprol-XL pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I take Toprol-XL?

Take Toprol-XL 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 Toprol-XL at the same time every day.

Toprol-XL 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 Toprol-XL 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 Toprol-XL.

Toprol-XL 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 Toprol-XL 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 Toprol-XL at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Toprol-XL dosage (in more detail)

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 or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include slow or uneven heartbeats, shortness of breath, bluish-colored fingernails, dizziness, weakness, or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking Toprol-XL?

Toprol-XL 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 Toprol-XL.

Toprol-XL side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Toprol-XL: 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:

chest pain, pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;

feeling light-headed, fainting;

feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;

swelling of your hands or feet;

nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;

wheezing, trouble breathing;

depression, confusion, memory problems, hallucinations; or

cold feeling in your hands and feet.

Less serious Toprol-XL side effects may include:

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.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Toprol-XL side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Toprol-XL?

Before taking Toprol-XL, tell your doctor about all other medicines you are using, especially:

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);

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); 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 Toprol-XL. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

More Toprol-XL resources

Toprol-XL Side Effects (in More Detail)

Toprol-XL Dosage

Toprol-XL Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Drug Images

Toprol-XL Drug Interactions

Toprol-XL Support Group

27 Reviews for Toprol-XL - Add your own review/rating

Toprol-XL Prescribing Information (FDA)

Metoprolol Prescribing Information (FDA)

Metoprolol Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

Lopressor Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Lopressor Prescribing Information (FDA)

Lopressor MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Metoprolol Succinate Monograph (AHFS DI)

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Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Toprol-XL.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.

Copyright 1996-2011 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 14.01. Revision Date: 12/01/2010 10:03:41 PM.