General Info: Uses and Effects

Toprol Generic, which is also known as Metoprolol, is a beta-blocker. This drug is meant for the heart and also other purposes involving circulation. This beta-blocker targets the following area: the flow of blood through the veins and arteries.

Toprol Metoprolol is used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain. It can also be used to prevent heart attack or even treat it. The tablet comes in two forms: extended release and immediate release forms.

This beta-blocker works to prevent the action of adrenalin on beta receptors in the heart and in the blood vessels. The blood pressure is therefore lowered while the blood vessels are being relaxed. The drug also helps in reducing chest pain.

Contraindication: Important to Know

While taking this drug, it is important to note that it comes along with a few manageable conditions, including avoiding Metoprolol and other beta-blockers if you are allergic to them. Some of the beta-blockers you can avoid if you are allergic include Propranolol, Atenolol, Lebatalol, Carvedilol, Sotalol, Nadolol, and Nebivolol.

It is indeed important to let your doctor know or help you ascertain if you have severe circulation problems, history of slow heart beats which could have been the reason for your fainting, serious heart conditions, including slow heart rate, sick sinus syndrome, and heart block. You also need to let your physician know if you have experienced severe heart failure that had you admitted in the hospital.

By all means, for Metoprolol to be safe for you, your doctor needs to be informed if you have a thyroid disorder, tumor of the adrenal gland, liver disease, congestive heart failure, circulation problems, including Raynaud's syndrome, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, asthma, or any other breathing disorders.

Anyone who is diabetic might not be able to know if he/she has low blood sugar while taking Toprol Metoprolol. This is why the doctor should be informed so that the issue can be handled without causing any health problems.

If you become pregnant while using this medication, it would be prudent to inform your physician immediately because there's no direct information letting us know whether an unborn baby will be negatively affected by metoprolol. The user should also inform the doctor while in the breast-feeding stage because it could pass into breast milk therefore making the baby to suffer severe health problems. Anyone who is younger than 18 years old should not take Metoprolol because it is not recommended.

Instructions on Taking

Toprol Metoprolol should only be taken while following the doctor's prescriptions. All the directions on the prescription label should therefore be followed. To ensure that you get the best results, the physician might change your dose once in a while. The user also needs to ensure that the medicine is taken during the same time every day.

This drug should also not be overdosed or underdosed. This will help in preventing unwanted side effects which come as a result of not following the right prescription as recommended by the doctor. It should be taken right after a meal or with a meal. This will depend on the user's preference.

Your blood pressure could fluctuate while taking Toprol Generic and so several trips of blood tests to the doctor's office should be taken so that your blood pressure can be kept at bay. One could also wish to divide the tablet into half but this should only be done under the doctor's instructions. If in case the physician approves using taking of the half tablet, it must only be swallowed whole without crushing or chewing.

Do not stop using Metoprolol suddenly before consulting your doctor because your condition may be worsened. This medicine should also be stored at room temperature and in an area where it cannot be affected by heat and moisture.

Dosage

• High blood pressure dosage: Adults between 18-64 years old should take 50mg of immediate-release form twice a day. The extended-release form of Metoprolol can be taken (25 mg) once in a day or more. The doctor can make adjustments if necessary. There's no established dosage for people under the age of 18 years. For people who are 65 years old and above, their dosage could be started on a lower rate because of the slow rate at which the body processes the drug.
• Heart failure dosage or dosage after a heart attack: For the oral immediate-release tablet, adults between the ages of 18-64 years old are recommended to take 12.5-25mg once in a day for a start from which it can slowly be adjusted. The dosage for people below 18 years old has not been established. Those over 65 years old may be started on lower dose.
• Angina (chest pain) dosage: For adults between the ages of 18-64 years old, the extended-release drug (100mg) is taken once a day while 50mg of the immediate-release drug is taken twice a day. A child dosage before the age of 18 years old has however not been established. For seniors over the age of 65, they will be started at a lowered dose by the doctor.

Side Effects

Is there a possibility of experiencing side effects while using Toprol Metoprolol Yes, the user may experience a variety of allergic reactions while using this drug, including difficulty in breathing, hives, and swelling of the throat, tongue, lips, or face.

Some of the common side effects could include:

• Mild rash or itching;
• Dizziness;
• Tired feeling;
• Memory problems which could be coupled with confusion;
• Trouble sleeping and nightmares;
• Diarrhea.

Once you notice the following side effects, notify your doctor immediately:

• Cold feeling in the hands and feet;
• Extremely sow heartbeats;
• Shortness of breath;
• Light-headedness;
• Swelling;
• Rapid weight gain.

Do not hesitate to get emergency help once you notice these signs or any other sign that you might notice because this is not the full list.

Interaction with Other Drugs

Toprol Metoprolol interacts with several drugs, including Terbinafine, Prazosin, several antidepressants, ergot medicines, mental illness medications, heart or blood pressure medications, or MAO inhibitor drugs, including Rasagiline, Linezolid, and Isocarboxazid, among others. This is definitely not the full list and so before using Metoprolol, the user needs inform the doctor on the medicine being currently taken and those started or stopped while taking Toprol Generic.