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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Switching from Coreg
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Switching from Coreg
by Jans, Jul 29, 2001 12:00AM
I was diagnosed with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy 4 years ago with a EF of 15%. After about 2 years of 25 mg of coreg twice a day my EF went up to 55%. Because the side effects (fatigue, lightheadedness, weakniess)have been so debilitating, the medication was reduced to 1/2 a few months ago. As a result my EF is now 40% and my coreg dosage has been raised. The question I have is this. I am thinking of switching to Toprol-XL in hopes it will be as effective as Coreg with fewer side effects. What has been the Cleveland Clinic's experience with people taking Coreg switching to Toprol-xl to lessen side effects? Do they maintain the EF gains they experienced taking Coreg? I don't want to do something stupid. However, I would like to have more stamina. Thanks, JaniceP
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-CRC, Jul 29, 2001 12:00AM
Dear janicep,
Toprol XL (metoprolol) is another drug in the family of beta-blockers. There is some data that it is equally effective in heart failure. In addition it is a once-a-day drug. However, in my experience the side-effects of beta-blockers are similar across all of the different types. However, it may still be worth a trial. I would discuss this with your doctor and see if he/she agrees.
Toprol XL (metoprolol) is another drug in the family of beta-blockers. There is some data that it is equally effective in heart failure. In addition it is a once-a-day drug. However, in my experience the side-effects of beta-blockers are similar across all of the different types. However, it may still be worth a trial. I would discuss this with your doctor and see if he/she agrees.
Member Comments (2)
by Gwells, Aug 03, 2001 12:00AM
I have been taking heart meds for over three years. One year ago, my cardiologist switched me from coreg to toprol xl. My ef a year ago was in the 25%+ range. It took a while for me to adjust to the dizziness, etc. associated with twice a day doses of coreg, but I was really feeling pretty good at the time I changed over to Toprol. With the once a day 40 mg dose of Toprol, I felt really bad in the morning until thirty minutes or so after taking my daily Toprol xl tablet, and felt dizzy between 7-8 pm (about half way through the 24-hour Toprol time release phase). My most recent echo yielded an ef of 15%. My internist suggested that I cut my 40 mg Toprol xl tablets in half and take one half in the morning and half in the evening to alleviate the evening dizziness and morning tiredness. I have been taking half-doses twice a day for a couple of weeks and that seems to help. I am now scheduled for another test with a CHF specialist to evaluate my condition with potential to be placed on a waiting list for a heart transplant (due to my low ef and apparent declining heart strength). I plan to ask the CHF specialist to change me back, from Toprol xl to coreg.
