Lopressor is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent. It works in two ways: first, reduces chest pain by giving heart less work than usually, and second, lowers high blood pressure by decreasing pumped out amount of blood. In the cases when heart is beating too fast or at an irregular rhythm, Lopressor helps to bring the rhythm to normal.
Metoprololr is used in the following cases:
- alone or with other medicines for treating high blood pressure;
- long-term treatment of chest pain;
- if patients have had a heart attack, it prevents possible death because of remaining heart problems.
Sometimes it may be taken for other purposes, but only with your doctor permission.
Follow your doctor’s directions.
- You should take Lopressor in concordance with your doctor’s prescriptions for you individually. Don’t take more or less dosage, and no longer, than it’s recommended by your doctor.
- This medication should be taken with a full glass of water.
- Take care of your blood pressure to be checked on a daily basis to ascertain, that Lopressor is working. Try not to miss any visits to your doctor.
If you still have any questions about Lopressor dosage, please, consult your health care provider.
Try not to miss a dose of Lopressor. If it happens, take it as you are able to. If too much time has past and you need to take the next dose, take it, skipping the previous one. Follow your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Store Metoprolol at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). It’s permitted a storage for a short time at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture and light; keep out of the reach of children and pets; don’t keep Lopressor in bathroom.
Lopressor Safety information
You are not recommended to use Lopressor if:
- you have a very slow heart rate condition (eg, bradycardia, AV block);
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Lopressor;
- you have heart failure controlled by diuretics (eg, furosemide) and digoxin;
- you have a very low systolic blood pressure (less than 100 mm Hg);
- you are taking Mibefradil.
If you have any of these cases, please, contact your doctor or health care provider before taking Lopressor.
This information is very important:
- Before you drive or do some actions that require your full attention, make sure that you are lacking any side effects.
- If you take medicine for high blood pressure, you may have side effects, as tiredness or running down. You may feel an effect in few weeks after starting to take Lopressor. Continue to take your medicine even if you have side effects. Discuss with your doctor any new symptoms, that you are experiencing.
- It is not safe to cease suddenly to take Lopressor, even if you have angina (chest pain) or have had other heart problems. Consult your doctor before ceasing and if he agrees that you need to stop taking Lopressor, follow your doctor’s instructions, how to do it gradually and safety.
- Your doctor may direct you to check your blood pressure and heart rate regularly. Make sure you are following all your doctor’s prescriptions.
- If you have colds or congestion, consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine.
- For Patients with Diabetes: Your blood sugar may be effected by Lopressor. You should check your blood levels more thoroughly. If you want to change the dose of your diabetes medicine, consult your doctor.
- If you visit a dentist or you need any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery, warn, that you are taking Lopressor.
- To monitor your condition and check side effects, lab tests (liver and kidney function, blood pressure, and complete blood cell counts incl.) may be performed. Discuss with your doctor test results and follow all doctor’s and lab directions carefully.
- Safety and effectiveness of Metoprolol have not been confirmed concerning children. If you use Lopressor in children, do it with extreme caution.
- Pregnancy and breast-feeding. Meet your doctor, if you become pregnant. Ask about positive and negative effects of taking Lopressor during pregnancy. Lopressor will get into breast milk. Consult your doctor, if you are taking Lopressor and want to breast-feed or you are breast-feeding. Ask your doctor about possible risk to your baby.
- Use Lopressor only if it’s prescribed. If there is no such a necessity, don’t take it and don’t let use it to people, who doesn’t need to.
- Contact your doctor, if your symptoms don’t improve or become worse.
Lopressor Side Effects
Discuss with your doctor possible side effects that may bother you. The most common are the following:
- blurred vision; cold hands and feet; confusion; constipation; depression; diarrhea; dizziness; dry mouth/eyes; gas; hair loss; headache; heartburn; itching; lightheadedness; mild drowsiness; muscle aches; nausea; nightmares; ringing in the ears; short-term memory loss; sleeplessness; stomach pain; unusual tiredness or weakness.
Be attentive, if some of the following severe side effects come about. You should seek medical attention as soon as you find out it:
- harsh allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; fainting; pounding in the chest; swelling of the arms, hands, and feet; wheezing; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
