metoprolol xl
(me TOE proe lole)
Lopressor, Toprol XL
What is the most important information I should know about metoprolol?
• Do not stop taking metoprolol without first talking to your doctor metoprolol xl. Stoppingmetoprolol abruptly may cause your condition to become worse metoprolol xl.
• Call your doctor immediately if you experience shortness of breath metoprolol xl.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities metoprolol xl. Metoprolol may cause dizziness or drowsiness metoprolol xl. If you experiencedizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities metoprolol xl.
What is metoprolol?
• Metoprolol is in a class of drugs called beta-blockers metoprolol xl. Beta-blockersaffect the heart and circulatory system metoprolol xl.
• Metoprolol is used to reduce hypertension (high blood pressure), to treatchest pain (angina), to treat heart failure, and to reduce the risk that a heartattack will recur metoprolol xl.
• Metoprolol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide metoprolol xl.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking metoprolol?
• Before taking metoprolol, tell your doctor if you have
· asthma;
· a heart problem such as low blood pressure, a slow heart rate, heartblock, sick sinus syndrome, a pacemaker, heart failure, and others;
· diabetes;
· depression;
· thyroid disease;
· kidney disease;
· liver disease; or
· any type of circulatory disease metoprolol xl.
• You may not be able to take metoprolol, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove metoprolol xl.
• Metoprolol is in the FDA pregnancy category C metoprolol xl. This means that it isnot known whether metoprolol will harm an unborn baby metoprolol xl. Do not take this medicationwithout first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnantduring treatment metoprolol xl.
• Metoprolol passes into breast milk in small amounts and may affect anursing baby metoprolol xl. Do not take metoprolol without first talking to your doctor ifyou are breast-feeding a baby metoprolol xl.
How should I take metoprolol?
• Take metoprolol exactly as directed by your doctor metoprolol xl. If you do not understandthese instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them toyou metoprolol xl.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water metoprolol xl.
• Take metoprolol with food or immediately following a meal metoprolol xl.
• Do not crush or chew the extended-release tablets and capsules (e.g.,Toprol XL) metoprolol xl. The tablets can be divided in half if prescribed by your doctorand the half tablet should be swallowed whole, without crushing or chewing metoprolol xl. These tablets are specially formulated to release the medication slowly in thebody metoprolol xl.
• Do not stop taking metoprolol without first talking to your doctor metoprolol xl. Stoppingmetoprolol abruptly may cause your condition to become worse metoprolol xl.
• Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat metoprolol xl.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember metoprolol xl. If it is almost time forthe next dose however, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularlyscheduled dose metoprolol xl. Do not take a double dose of this medication metoprolol xl.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention metoprolol xl.
• Symptoms of a metoprolol overdose include a slow heart beat, shortnessof breath, fainting, dizziness, weakness, confusion, nausea, and vomiting metoprolol xl.
What should I avoid while taking metoprolol?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities metoprolol xl. Metoprolol may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and blood pressure changes metoprolol xl. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities metoprolol xl.
• Use alcohol cautiously metoprolol xl. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizzinesswhile you are taking this medication metoprolol xl.
• Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medication beforehaving surgery metoprolol xl.
What are the possible side effects of metoprolol?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takingmetoprolol and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; hives);
· wheezing or shortness of breath;
· an unusually slow or irregular heartbeat;
· swelling of the feet and lower legs;
· leg pain or cramping;
· sudden weight gain (more than 2 pounds in one day or 5 pounds in oneweek);
· chest (heart) pain;
· unusually cold or blue feet and hands; or
· skin rash metoprolol xl.
• If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continuetaking metoprolol and talk to your doctor:
· fatigue or confusion;
· headache or dizziness;
· weak pulse or mildly slow heart rate;
· diarrhea, constipation, gas, nausea, or vomiting;
· depression; or
· nightmares metoprolol xl.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur metoprolol xl. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome metoprolol xl.
What other drugs will affect metoprolol?
• Before taking metoprolol, tell your doctor if you are taking
· a heart medication such as nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), reserpine(Serpasil), verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Isoptin), diltiazem (Cardizem, DilacorXR), clonidine (Catapres), digoxin (Lanoxin), doxazosin (Cardura), guanadrel(Hylorel), prazosin (Minipress), or terazosin (Hytrin);
· a diabetes medication such as insulin, glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase,Glynase), glipizide (Glucotrol), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), or metformin (Glucophage);
· a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin,Advil, others), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), ketoprofen (Orudis,Orudis KT, Oruvail), and others;
· a respiratory medication such as albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil, Volmax,others), bitolterol (Tornalate), metaproterenol (Alupent, Metaprel), pirbuterol(Maxair), terbutaline (Brethaire, Brethine, Bricanyl), or theophylline (Theo-Dur,Theochron, Theolair, others), and others;
· the stomach medication cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB); or
· prescription or over-the-counter cough medicines, cold medicines, ordiet pills metoprolol xl.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with metoprololor affect your condition metoprolol xl. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking anyprescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products metoprolol xl.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about metoprolol written forhealth professionals that your may read metoprolol xl.
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