Toprol-XL Information

Toprol-XL

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. Take metoprolol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow your doctor's instructions. 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.

What's inside Toprol-XL

Recent Toprol-XL Side Effects

Posted by nancylee1 4 days ago
I took topral about 12 years . I had been taking 50 mg when because of palpitations it was increased to 75 mg. After about 6 weeks I had extreme anxiety, hand shaking, facial flushing, lightheadness, body trembling, weakness, slight headache, brain fog, and nausea. .I never felt so bad, went to primary dr. who said I had general anxiety disorder. and recomended psycharist. I also went to cardiologist who did stress echo and said nothing wrong with me. I am so grateful for this site. There were other people out there that had similar symptoms. When I told both dr. that I thought the increase in toprol was causing my anxiety. they both said couldn't happen as they take toprol for anxiety . I decreased the dosage myself . After 3 days the anxiety and nausea were gone and it took about 3 more weeks befor the rest of symptoms to go. I gradually decreased the dosage to 25 mg. on my own. Felt fine for about a year until there was a brief period when toprol was not available and I was switched to metropolol. I started having pounding ,rapid heart beat. It would awake me up and I was also getting a pulsing feeling in my arm and near my collar bone. I had anxiety again, and flushed face. I noticed that aprox 2 to 3 hrs after taking meds that I felt the need to take deep breaths as if I was not getting enough air in my lungs and feeling shakey. Looking back, I had those symptoms with the toprol and dr said nothing wrong then. I felt very weak ,almost faint , and it was too much of an effort even to talk. This lasted about 5 hours and I felt better late afternoon. Again, I am so grateful for this site. because at first I didn't connect symtoms with the generic form of toprol, since I had been O.K . taking 25 mg.of toprol. I went to cardioligst again and told h im about this site . saying I was convinced that I was one of the people that had rare side effects and wanted to get off of it. He wanted to put me on anothe beta blocker and I said I would never take that poison again. Incidently , while I was waiting to see dr. the nurse was with me and she said that there was a speaker at a cardiology convention that said there were two kinds of people that had taken beta blockers, half of them had gotten off of them and the other half wanted to. I asked dr how I should stop them and he said if I insisted , to cut them in half and take that amt for a few days gradually decreasing dosage I felt much better, but still had bouts with pounding, racing heart. I asked him if could be rebound effect and he said yes. That lasted month or so. I do take other blood pressure med, Hyzaar, and plendil. and my blood pressure has been ok. Also could be because I did lose weight. ( I did notice that I started to gain weight when I started the beta blocker all those years ago.. ) I feel normal now . Hope that this can help someone else.

Posted by bliss 5 days ago
I wish the company making this crap would admit they've shortchanged patients with the purported "brand name" Toprol XL. It is not the old stuff, clear and simple. They're selling fraudulent medication, probably the old generic crap that almost killed people -- and, in some cases, actually did kill people. This company needs to be run right out of the race. Toprol XL is being marketed falsely. it is not the same medication as it was before the "shortage" arose.

Posted by kareenacat 5 days ago
I was having episodes of irregular heart beats (PVC's) and keep ending up in the ER. I was on 25 mg of Toprol XL with Coozar 50 mg for hypertension. I am trying to stay off caffeine but the doctor recently increased my dose to Toprol 50 mg. I definitely see spiders all the time upon awakening but I know that it is the Toprol because I have been on 25 mg for years. I don't get the attacks so much since he upped me to 50 mg. I am more tired, I keep skipping the morning dose, still see spiders on the wall and pillow, don't want to exercise or anything. I am a dancer and have been very active up until 5 years ago when these episodes started coming. I am afraid to switch to anything else because of more side effects. I feel like I am in a catch 22 situation, but so far the attacks haven't been as frequent but I did stop some chocolate and only one cup of coffee in the morning and no more starbucks fraps and I am definitely a Type A personality, that don't help....Oh, I am 55 years old and cannot lose weight no matter how much I dance or exercise, but I must admit on this medication I would rather lay on the couch like a potato and watch TV. I am not really overweight, maybe by 10-15 lbs, but still, there has to be a better way.... I haven't gone back to the gym since being on 50 mg, I will probably fall on the floor....

Toprol-XL in the News

Buyback is a tonic for Astra - Times Online
Buyback is a tonic for AstraTimes Online... last year from strong sales of Toprol-XL, its drug for high blood pressure, after two generics companies had to take their products off the market. ...Sunday newspaper share tipsThis is Moneyall 2 news articles »
Sat Jan 23 22:56:29 +0000 2010

More jobs under threat at AstraZeneca as firm hammers costs - Daily Mail
Daily MailMore jobs under threat at AstraZeneca as firm hammers costsDaily MailHowever, it was achieved thanks in part to higher-than-expected sales of Toprol XL for high blood pressure and a rush to buy the company's swine flu vaccine ...and more »
Thu Jan 28 21:16:25 +0000 2010

AZN Misses, Guidance Disappoints - Analyst Blog - Benzinga
AZN Misses, Guidance Disappoints - Analyst BlogBenzingaThe primary reasons for the increase in revenues were strong US sales of Toprol-XL benefiting from the withdrawal of a generic, US sales of H1N1 vaccine and ...and more »
Fri Jan 29 14:19:07 +0000 2010

Toprol-XL Chemical Information

metoprolol succinate - The succinate salt form of metoprolol, a cardioselective competitive beta-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist with antihypertensive properties and devoid of intrinsic sympathomimetic activity. Metoprolol succinate antagonizes beta 1-adrenergic receptors in the myocardium, thereby reducing the rate and force of myocardial contraction, and consequently a diminished cardiac output. This agent may also reduce the secretion of renin with subsequent reduction in levels of angiotensin II thus decreasing sympathetic activation, including vasoconstriction, aldosterone secretion.