Toprol xl how does it work

Metoprolol is used alone or together with other medicines to treat high blood pressure hypertension. High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries.

If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. A lower blood pressure can reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Metoprolol is also used to treat severe chest pain angina and lowers the risk of repeated heart attacks.

It is given to people who have already had a heart attack. In addition, metoprolol is used to treat patients with heart failure. This medicine is a beta-blocker. It works by affecting the response to nerve impulses in certain parts of the body, like the heart. As a result, the heart beats slower and decreases the blood pressure. When the blood pressure is lowered, the amount of blood and oxygen is increased to the heart. In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do.

This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:. Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals.

For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully. Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of metoprolol tablets in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established. Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of metoprolol extended-release tablets and extended-release capsules in children younger than 6 years of age. Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of metoprolol in the elderly.

However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving metoprolol. Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding. Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur.

In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines. Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur.

Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:.

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. In addition to the use of this medicine, treatment for your high blood pressure may include weight control and changes in the types of food you eat, especially foods high in sodium salt.

Your doctor will tell you which of these are most important for you. You should first check with your doctor before changing your diet. Many patients who have high blood pressure will not notice any signs of the problem. In fact, many patients feel normal. It is very important that you take your medicine exactly as directed and that you keep your appointments with your doctor even if you feel well. Remember that this medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it does help control it.

You must continue to take it as directed if you expect to lower your blood pressure and keep it down. You may have to take high blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life. If high blood pressure is not treated, it can cause serious problems such as heart failure, blood vessel disease, strokes, or kidney disease.

Take the tablet or extended-release tablet with a meal or just after you eat. You may break the extended-release tablet into two pieces, but swallow the two pieces whole and do not crush or chew them. There's no clear evidence to suggest that taking metoprolol will reduce fertility in either men or women. But if you're trying for a baby or having problems getting pregnant while on metoprolol, speak to your doctor. Some people on metoprolol say their sex drive goes down or they can't get an erection.

But this isn't a common side effect and there's not enough evidence to say for sure that metoprolol causes it. You do not need to stop playing sports if you take metoprolol, but don't push yourself too much. Regular exercise is good for you because it lowers blood pressure by keeping your heart and blood vessels in good condition. But be aware that metoprolol is not allowed in some sports if you're competing at a high level. Metoprolol can make some people feel dizzy, especially when they first start taking it or after taking a bigger dose.

If this happens to you, do not drive a car, ride a bike, or use tools or machinery. You can boost the health of your heart by making some key lifestyle changes:. Page last reviewed: 13 December Next review due: 13 December Metoprolol On this page About metoprolol Key facts Who can and cannot take metoprolol How and when to take it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.

About metoprolol Metoprolol belongs to a group of medicines called beta blockers. It's used to: treat high blood pressure treat illnesses that cause an irregular heartbeat prevent future heart disease, heart attacks and strokes prevent chest pain caused by angina prevent migraines Metoprolol can help reduce your symptoms if you have too much thyroid hormone in your body thyrotoxicosis.

Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? Metoprolol slows down your heart rate and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. Your very first dose of metoprolol may make you feel dizzy, so take it at bedtime. If you don't feel dizzy after that, you can take it in the morning.

Metoprolol is usually taken once or twice a day, but sometimes it's prescribed to be taken up to 4 times a day. The main side effects of metoprolol are headaches, and feeling dizzy, sick or tired — these are usually mild and short-lived. Metoprolol also goes by the brand name Lopresor. When given by injection, it may be called by the brand name Betaloc.

Metoprolol can be taken by adults over the age of To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor before starting metoprolol if you have: ever had an allergic reaction to metoprolol or any other medicine low blood pressure or a slow heart rate a lung disease or severe asthma metabolic acidosis — when there's too much acid in your blood an overactive thyroid hyperthyroidism — metoprolol may make it more difficult to recognise the warning signs of having too much thyroid hormone in your body thyrotoxicosis severe blood circulation problems in your limbs such as Raynaud's phenomenon , which may make your fingers and toes tingle or turn pale or blue liver problems.

Slow release is also called sustained release SR : standard release — releases metoprolol into your body quickly you may need to take it several times a day depending on your dose slow release — dissolves slowly so you don't have to take it as often once a day is usually enough Your doctor may advise you to take your first dose before bedtime because it could make you feel dizzy.

Important Take metoprolol even if you feel well, as you will still be getting the benefits of the medicine. Dosage How much you take depends on why you need metoprolol and the type of tablet you're taking: high blood pressure: standard release — 50mg to mg, taken twice a day; slow release — mg, taken once a day chest pain angina : standard release — 50mg to mg, taken 2 to 3 times a day; slow release — mg to mg, taken once a day an irregular heartbeat arrhythmia — standard release — 50mg, taken 2 to 3 times a day preventing migraine: standard release — 50mg, taken 2 to 4 times a day, or mg , taken twice a day too much thyroid hormone thyrotoxicosis — standard release — 50mg, taken 4 times a day How to take it You can take metoprolol with or without food, but it's best to do the same each day.

Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. Check the information leaflet for your brand to see if you can do this. What if I forget to take it? If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. What if I take too much? Side effects often improve as your body gets used to the medicine. Common side effects These common side effects happen in more than 1 in people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the side effects bother you or last more than a few days: headaches feeling tired, dizzy or weak cold hands or feet feeling sick nausea stomach ache Serious side effects It's rare, but some people have serious side effects when taking metoprolol.

Call a doctor straight away if you have: shortness of breath, wheezing and tightening of the chest — these can be signs of lung problems shortness of breath with a cough that gets worse when you exercise like walking up stairs , swollen ankles or legs, chest pain, an irregular heartbeat — these are signs of heart problems a fast heart rate, high temperature, trembling and confusion — these are signs of too much thyroid hormone in the blood thyrotoxicosis yellow skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow — these can be signs of liver problems Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, metoprolol may cause a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis.

Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme. Visit Yellow Card for further information. What to do about: headaches — make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids.

Do not drink too much alcohol. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Headaches usually go away after the first week of taking metoprolol. Talk to your doctor if the headaches are severe or last longer than a week. Do not drive or use tools or machinery if you're feeling tired.

Do not drink alcohol, it will make you feel worse. Do not smoke or have drinks with caffeine in - these can make your blood vessels narrower and restrict your blood flow. Smoking also makes your skin colder. Try wearing mittens they're warmer than gloves and warm socks. Do not wear tight watches or bracelets. It might help to take your metoprolol after you have eaten. It can help to eat and drink slowly and have smaller and more frequent meals. Putting a heat pad or covered hot water bottle on your stomach may also help.

If you're in a lot of pain, speak to your pharmacist or doctor. Metoprolol is not usually recommended in pregnancy. Metoprolol and breastfeeding It's usually safe to take metoprolol if you're breastfeeding. Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:.

Important: Medicine safety Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. How does metoprolol work? Metoprolol is a type of medicine called a beta blocker. How long does it take to work? It's important to keep taking your medicine. How long will I take it for? Treatment with metoprolol is usually long term, possibly even lifelong. Is it safe to take for a long time? Metoprolol is generally safe to take for a long time.

In fact, it works best when you take it for a long time. What will happen if I stop taking it? Stopping metoprolol suddenly can make your condition worse. Talk to your doctor if you want to stop taking metoprolol. How does it compare with other heart medicines? They include: angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitors like ramipril and lisinopril angiotensin receptor blockers like candesartan calcium channel blockers like amlodipine diuretics tablets that make you pee more like furosemide Beta blockers aren't usually the first choice of treatment for high blood pressure.

The medicine your doctor prescribes depends on your age and ethnicity: if you're under 55, you'll usually be offered an ACE inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker if you're 55 or older, or you're any age and of African Caribbean or black African origin, you'll usually be offered a calcium channel blocker Sometimes you may have to try other blood pressure-lowering medicines if you get side effects. Many people need to take a combination of different tablets.

Will I need to stop metoprolol before surgery? Can I drink alcohol with it? Is there any food or drink I need to avoid? You can eat and drink normally while taking metoprolol. Will it affect my contraception? Metoprolol will not affect your contraception. Does metoprolol affect fertility in men or women? Will it affect my sex life? If you're having problems with your sex life, talk to your doctor. Do I need to avoid playing sports?