Toprol-XL and bloating

I lost 30 pounds on Weight Watchers in 2005 - lost it in 6 weeks (on the proper diet) because of my insanely fast metabolism. Shortly after that, I was put on 25 mg of Toprol XL for PACs/PVCs. Upped that to 50 mg after I started getting migraines. Gained 55 pounds in the process, though I tore a hamstring in a couple of places and put a lot of the weight loss up to months of inactivity.

Then I started back on WW and tried to lose. Did everything just right--nothing. Added exercise and adjusted my points. Still nothing. Finally googled "toprol metabolism" and found tons of people complaining of the same types of problems.

I finally got down to 12.5 mg of Toprol and my body has adjusted to it, and in the last 2 weeks I've dropped 10 pounds. I'm debating going off it altogether, since there's nothing wrong with my blood pressure, and since lowering it clearly helps.

Note to anyone who tries this - every time I lower the dose I tend to gain a little weight (it's mostly water weight--I bloat up when I lower it for some reason) while my body adjusts, but it always comes off. So if you lower your dose (with doctor's permission, of course), don't be disheartened if you gain at first. You'll get there.

Started on Metoprolol about two months ago for a sudden onset of heart irregularity, mostly skipped beats. I'm already experiencing some of same problems described on this site. Because of that, I was looking for information and ended up on this site. My symptoms include daily headaches, inertia and lack of motivation, feel like sleeping all day long, wt gain, foggy headed, bloating and stomach discomfort. These symptoms have either started or intensified since I started on this medication. I plan to wean off this as soon as possible, with or without the doctor's cooperation. I've had a cardiac workup since I started the medication and no problems were detected.

I had been on Toprol XL 50 mg. for three years. In April of this year, I began having gastrointestinal problems. By May, I was sick just about every day with gas, bloating, cramping, pain and nausea. I was seeing a gastroenterologist practice almost weekly. Over the next five months, I had just about every test, scan, and scope there was to do to no avail. By June, I began having anxiety attacks simultaneously with the gastric episodes. The doctors could find no reason for the symptoms and I was referred to another specialist and tests that were ordered at a medical facility 50 miles away. I had also lost 38 lbs. because I was unable to eat without becoming sick. In November, I notice that my hair was thinning and my family doctor said that it could be from the Toprol. At that point, I discovered this website and began reading the postings. I cut the Toprol dosage in half after informing my doctor about it. In three days, I started to feel better. I also read more of the postings and saw that other were fine on the brand name Toprol but had problems with the generic. Click went the light bulb. Towards the end of March of this year, I had been switched to the generic. I began weaning myself from the medication and took the last dose on Thanksgiving. There have been some minor withdrawal symptoms but I am feeling so much better and have had no gastric symptoms for two weeks. Yesterday, I was actually hungry for the first time in months. I saw both the family doctor and gastroenterologist and informed them that they need to consider a patient's medications which unexplained illnesses arise. I can't express the gratitude that I feel for having located this website and thank everyone for the information that has been provided.

PEOPLE, PLEASE DO NOT DISCONTINUE THIS MEDICATION SUDDENLY, IT CAN BE DANGEROUS!!!

I have been reading about this medication here for some time, and I feel concerned when I read about someone deciding to just quit taking it suddenly. I personally intend to quit as soon as I find a doctor with enough knowledge to help me wean off of it in a safe manner. I've been on it for two years, and the side effects have grown worse than my original health problem, so I understand wanting to just up and quit taking it, but after learning the hard way, I've found out it's not so easy.

Do your homework, read and learn about the potential 'rebound effect' and by all means, talk to your doctor before doing something that may cause you to be in danger ( as in having a heart attack)...if you don't believe me, learn for yourself, the information is easily researched.

Blessings, and good luck...

I am a 38 year old female and was put on Toprol XL for anxiety/rapid heart beat/stress. I have experienced weight gain, hair loss/thinning, tiredness, walking up/down a flight of stairs takes all the energy I've got and I need to sit and catch my breath, memory loss, loss of sex drive, gas/bloating problems, lack of activity due to fatigue. After I began reading these comments I can't believe that all the symptoms I'm having is due to this medication. As I was reading everything was coming back to me and I kept saying to myself, "That's exactly how I feel!" Just like most of these people! I'm not alone! Thank God for these posts! I'm going to stop taking this medication, gradually of course. I'll have to deal w/my anxiety/stress in other ways.....Prayer!

I have been on Toprol 25 mg for almost a year for heart palpitations. I has worked for the palpitations, but the side effects have been a challenge. I have gained about 20 pounds, have the vivid nightmares, lack of energy, etc. One thing that I have noticed recently is the increased severity of allergies and difficulty breathing. Anyone else experiencing this?

Hi I have just started taking toprol 50mg a day..I have noticed that i am very tired and week . My blood pressure is still high about 170/90 most of the time with a pause rate in the 40s...I am 49 years old and work out 5 days a week i have noticed bloating and feel like crap since starting this drug..

I had wondered if it was just me and have found out otherwise from this site and others. I was put on Toprolxl 11/07 1x day for hypertension. The stomach problems began but I persevered and since I had been taken of my diuretic believed the bloating on my hands was because of thant not the Toprol. Anyway my BP and pulse rate got higher and higher then the doctor gave me back my diuretic and my dose of Toprolxl doubled to twice a day.I noticed that my fingers would still swell after toprol and the stomach--gas, constipation got worse. Today I called my MD and said I wanted off it. Am scared to eat anything. Feel tired and have dry mouth, stuffy nose. All this drug has done is cause misery

I have been taking topral xl for about two months and feel worse than before I started it. I had mitral and aortic valve replacements 4 years ago and recently started having preventricular contractions. The doctor has not been able to determine the reason this has started, but Dr put me on topral xl to stop them. It has stopped the contractions, but I have gained a lot of weight, have increased depression, fatigue, tingling toes, sore breasts, extreme bloating and constipation and overall feeling terrible. I feel that I would be better off just learning to cope with the contractions than having to deal with not wanting to do anything at all. I have always been an active person, even after the heart surgery, but now all I can do is sit. I can't get the doctor to understand that the cure is making me feel worse than the problem. Granted, preventricular contractions is no picnic, and causes a lot of anxiety, but now I don't have the energy or inclination do do anything. What good does it do to have me gain weight and be so depressed and fatigued? I really feel that I would rather have a pace maker than all of the side effects of this drug.

I have been on Toprol XL for 5 yrs and it makes me tired all the time and my legs get tired alot, I also had weight gain and some bloating at times. as a male i'm not as great sexually as before the toprol either. I was put on toprol to stop my palpitations, beta blockers are good for this my Dr says.

31 years old I started taking Toprol XL 25 for palpitations then switch to 12.5 due to drop of pressure. I vet been in cloud 9 since no feeling what so ever sad,depress,week tremors,dizzy,Gas BLOATING no appetite .I was loosing aprx 5lbs a week cold hands and feet, bruised feeling in chest severe neck pain. Sinus pain and pressure.I was running to the ER thinking I was going crazy

itching faint feeling sleepiness tired gas bloating diareah choking, problem swallowing ,depression,cold or hot sweats,cant stay up blurred vision,gained weight

headache,bloating,dizziness and pain in left side of neck

I have been on Toprol xl since Nov. of 04. My weight has increased in spite of exercising and watching my diet. I have pain in my joints as well. Yesterday I decided to look up the side effects because I had gained 4 lbs. in a few days. with extreme bloating. I was going crazy trying to figure out why my weight kept going up in spite of diet and exercise. Looking at the other messages so much like mine has given me the courage to somehow make my doctor listen. I didn't realize about the difficulty of getting off the drug and will start weaning myself off tonight. Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks, Susie

I am a 30 year old woman who has been on Toprol 25mg for 6 mos. for rapid heartbeat. Since that time, I have experienced severe bloating, gastric cramping, frequent voiding (not diarrhea), and moderate weight gain. I am a smaller, fit person, so the sudden change in weight was strange. I have seen physicians for my digestive problems and am on meds for those issues, but have not had success.

I realized that this all began at the same time that I started taking Toprol and it has progressively gotten worse. I am amazed to see that others have experienced similar symptoms. It makes me feel good to finally put my finger on what is causing these problems. I will be weaning off Toprol in the very near future.

Thank you all for your feedback. You answered questions that have been looming over me for months!

I just started Toprol XL 25mg about 3 weeks, and am due to see Dr for a follow up on my BP. It has lowered my BP but have frequent voiding not diarrhea (as someone else noted), tiredness, bloating. I will ask the Dr what this all means and if there is another pill that would be better.

I'm a female age 47 yrs. old. I begin taking Toprol xl 25 mg 3 weeks ago. I have bloating, sore breast, a tingling sensation in my toes, weird dreams, tireness and sometimes I awake with a bad headache. This is not the drug for me. I've tried Lotrel and experienced the same effects.

I am a 47 year old male. Taking Vasotec 20mg,Norvasc 10mg,was taking toprol 50mg but stopped gradually. Now am totally off toprol and will never go back on it, replaced with hydrochlorothiazide 25mg. Its been about a week since I stoped toprol.
The only real side effect I had was my sex drive and performance. The effect was devastating, really depressed me bigtime. I am slowly geeting function back but its very slow. Does anyone know how long it will take to get back to normal in this area???
Other slight side effects where sleeplessness,tired,stomach problems, bloating.

I have been on Toprol about 8 months and over the last 4 months have noticed bloating, full feeling, gas and diherea. Is this common on this drug. My weight has remained about constant (possible 5 lbs heavier) Any other people feeling the effects on the digestive system.

Has anyone experienced vaginal yeast infections on this medication?

Other than that (possible) side effect, here are the ones I have experienced: depression, apathy, lethargy, extreme fatigue, achiness, bloating, "heavy" feeling, difficulty with weight loss, memory problems (worsening-I had some memory problems before).

I am 45 years old and I take Toprol for a severe cardiac arrhythmia. I have a history of depression (actually, I have bipolar disorder) but my depressions have usually presented differently. This one is characterized by amotivationalism, while the others have had more sadness/worthlessness/guilt. Right now, I have no desire to do things that used to help me in previous depressions, such as reaching out to friends.

It has been a relief to read these posts and see that my symptoms are typical.

Iam 38 year old male and have been taking Toprol XL 50mg since Nov. 03. I have had disturbed sleep patterns, vivid dreams ,episodes of dry itchy skin patches, the most bothersome side effect is that my joints ache,knees,wrists finger joints. I also take 30mg of Prevacid daily but I have had these symtoms prior to taking Prevacid. I usually have a bloated feeling in my stomach about an hour after taking my Toprol.Any one have this problem? (Bloating).My bp is fantastic though!!