Hello, my doctor has me on Toprol xl 50mg and just a week ago low...

HI, What you are describing is why I've had so much trouble cutting back on this medication. I've been on it for almost two years and the side effects are growing worse than the original problem I had with an irregular heartbeat. I tried to cut back on my own by cutting my 50mg XL pill in to half of a half, therefore taking 3/4 of a tablet a day, and I immediately began feeling the dizzy spells and just as you described, and an overall feeling of being ill at ease.

You might try to cut back to 3/4 of a 50mg tablet instead of 1/2, just to see if you have better luck, but first tell your doctor to see if he approves. One of my biggest concerns is that the doctors I've spoke to about this medication really have not seemed to be aware of the concerns so many of us are reporting here, therefore may be indifferent to your problem unless you really put your foot down. I hope you have a good doctor who takes time to listen to you.

All I can say is that some of us seem to have better luck than others, and unfortunately my luck has not been so good.

I wish you luck...take care.

Do not cut/split the pills! The med is in a time release coating, so when you cut them that goes out the door. My doc told me this. you need to get a lower dose pill.
Pete45

My doctor originally prescribed this medication to me two years ago, Toprol XL 50, with the instructions to CUT THEM IN HALF and take the first 25mg in the morning and the next dose after lunch. Seems we have another typical doctor info. conflict, judging by the last post. Why would these pills have a scored line made for them to be cut in half if needed?

Another cardiologist also told me I could increase my dosage by taking another half of the 50mg pill if just 50mg was not strong enough , but I made the choice to not do this because my BP was already going through periods where it was lower than it needed to be.

I do know that if you pay for the 25mg tablets and need to take more than one dose a day you are going to pay a lot more than if you buy the 50 and half them. I asked my pharmacist (who often knows more than some of the doctors) and he told me I could save money by getting a pill cutter and halving them....so, who is right or wrong here is a matter of debate.

It does make sense that the time release factor may be affected, but there is still coating over part of the pill, so how fast it actually disolves and if your doctor feels its still okay to divide it, is something to consider.

Good luck.