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).
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.
What does metoprolol look like?
Metoprolol 50 mg-GG
Metoprolol 25 mg-MYL
Metoprolol 50 mg-MYL
Metoprolol 50 mg-WAT
Metoprolol 100 mg-GG
Metoprolol 100 mg-TEV
Metoprolol 100 mg-CAR
Metoprolol 50 mg-TEV
Metoprolol 100 mg-WAT
Metoprolol 100 mg-MYL
Metoprolol 50 mg-CAR
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider 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 this medication:
-
pheochromocytoma;
-
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 you 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.
How should I take metoprolol?
Take this medication 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.
What happens if I miss a dose of metoprolol?
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.
Where can I get more information about metoprolol?
Your pharmacist has information about metoprolol written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of 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 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. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know 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 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.
What should I avoid while taking metoprolol?
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.
What other drugs will affect metoprolol?
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.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
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.
What happens if I have an overdose of metoprolol?
