Toprol-XL and toprol xl 50 mg

I just discovered this after 3 months of total misery, 7 different doctors, multiple tests, 1 hospitalization, 16 pound weight loss, almost lost my job, etc., etc., etc.. I want to know if this will have permanent effects on my body and heart and will I ever be the same again. I have been back on the brand TOPROL XL for 9 days now. Keep in mind I didn't know what was happening to me, I never thought twice about the switch to generic, it was cheaper and I also had a lot of stress going on in my life at the time.

My pharmacy switched my "Toprol XL 50 mg" to a Generic one called "Metoprolol Succinate ER 50 mg" (manufactured by Sandoz) in December 2007. I have been on some form of Beta Blockers for years due to PVC's, AVNRT, Bigeminy, Trigeminy and Couplets. NOT High Blood Pressure. In my case I get very symptomatic from the arrhythmias: very low blood pressure, chest pain, fatigue, blacking out. I've had EP studies and attempted ablations in the past, but they were unsuccessful. For the last 2 years I had been under control on this med. Within a week of starting the new generic, I was at my eye doctor because my left eye went from 20/20 to 20/60 and was so blurry that I felt like I had suntan lotion or something in it. The new symptoms just kept coming. Since Dec 07, I have been to a Neurologist, Neuro-Ophthalmologist, Endocrinologist, Gastrointerologist, Ear Nose and Throat Doctor, Cardiologist, and many more. The generic form caused my arrhythmias to come back with a vengeance, I got depression, I couldn't sleep, my chest hurt, my BP was like 85/45, I lost 16 pounds and couldn't eat. I was almost passing out, seeing stars, I had bigeminy/trigeminy day and night for days on end, I was crying for nothing, very moody, I was coughing and wheezing, I had tingling in my arms and hands, loud ringing in my ears, I couldn't concentrate let alone think. I had tons of blood work that the doctors said, "just didn't look right". Upper GI test discovered a hiatal hernia, MRI discovered brain lesions, I had a high red blood cell count (but not anemic), my ferritin was high, my blood sugar was high, I was tested for MS, Lupus, thyroid, everything under the sun and was borderline for these diseases! I thought I was going to die, I had never been depressed in my life and this was the worst. I was beginning to think I was a hypochondriac. But, it was all there on paper, all the tests showed something wrong, but they didn't know what.

I googled Toprol brand versus generic and found out that it wasn't just me, thousands of people have had these same reactions since they started making Generic Toprol. Please read up on it, everyone who writes their story can't be wrong (there is at least one from every state complaining of the same thing). I've been taking the old TOPROL XL BRAND for the last 9 days and my arrhythmias have completely stopped, I have an appetite again and the depression has lifted. I hope it didn't cause any permanent damage.

I know this is probably happening to people everywhere who don't have access to the internet or maybe don't get out much. If you ask the pharmacist, they will tell you that they are exactly the same and they are NOT. The generic may work perfectly for you, but it doesn't work for all. In trying to figure out why I was so symptomatic, the doctors in the hospital took me off the beta blocker completely....I could have had a stroke or heart attack. I started back up on the brand name when after I googled it and realized that you can't just "go off" Toprol. I just wish I would have discovered it about 3 months ago. They thought for sure I had either MS or Lupus and were trying to rule out all the mimics of these very serious diseases. I'm going back to my doctors and have them repeat all the blood tests, etc. to make sure everything is back to normal.

I'm trying to get the word out.

I was on toprol-xl for almost 8 years without many problems. i also take isosorbide mononitrate.A few months back I was switched to the generic version (metoprolol succinate er by sandoz) now i have many problems.First I have to say I am disabled with severe COPD. Although I do not feel depressed I have a lot of symptoms of depression. Remember I had no symptoms what so ever until switched by Walgreen's or HMO or Doctor to the generic version. Not sure what to do I have a doctor that does not truly listen,plus he did not want me on toprol xl to begin with. Even though it was good for me. Good luck people!

I started taking Toprol XL after being diagnosed with SVT back in May of 2003. I was only in my late 20's & was very trusting, at the time. I was recently sent to a cardiologist because I was having horrible chest pain & the Toprol XL 50 MG wasn't working at keeping the heart rate down. The GP put me on a double dose as well as Cardizem to help with the chest pain & rapid heart rate. I was already on Lanoxin 0.5MG, the highest dose allowed. The cardiologist took me off of the Cardizem right away because he said that is was too stressful for the heart to be on that much heart medicine. I went though several tests & was told by the cardiologist that I didn't have SVT & that this was actually Postural Tachycardia (POTS) & Neurocardiogenic Syncope. I was taken off of Lanoxin, but kept on Toprol XL 100 MG. He put me on lots of salt & water to increase my blood volume which would help my blood pressure when standing. That was in June of 2007. All went pretty good, I thought, until January 18, 2008 when I was working. My heart rate went up to 136 just standing or walking across a room. I called the doctor & talked to a nurse who suggested that I take another 1/2 of a Toprol. I did that & felt better for awhile, but it was short lived. I had been having chest pain, rapid heart rate, fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, headaches, nausea, vomiting, short term memory problems, rapid weight gain, hair loss, cold extremities, & other things I can't think of right now for what seemed like forever. My gynecologist & my cardiologist first thought that I had thyroid problems, but all tests have come back negative. They then thought that maybe it was from the birth control pills that I had been on for the ovarian cysts. I was changed from one medicine to another & at first I thought that was what was wrong. I am now certain that all of the problems that I have been having were & are a result of the Toprol XL. I was even told that all the problems were "psychiatric in nature". I know that that isn't it at all! I have never had anxiety problems & the GP now thinks that's all that is wrong with me & wants me to go on Zoloft. I tried it, but became so ill that after one pill, I quit. I now plan on weaning myself off of the Toprol XL without the GP's knowledge or consent. The cardiologist was planning on weaning me off at some time in the future, but I am starting without him knowing it at the time. I'll just tell him when I see him next month. Thanks everyone for alerting me to the facts about this medicine. If I had known then what I do now, I'd have never consented to starting it in the first place. My only question is, are some of the "side effects" going to be a permanent thing for me or will they eventually go away? Any advice would be welcome! Thanks again!

I am a 39-year-old female who was put on Toprol 25 mg about four years ago due to heart palpitations. The Toprol didn't affect the heart palps at all, but I liked the fact that it kept my heart from racing after I ate, which had been a problem for me since high school. I took it sporadically for a couple years. At some point I started the generic, but I can't remember just when.

About two years ago I noticed that I was hearing noises in my right ear. Gradually the noises prompted me to see my PCP. She thought my BP was a little high (about 138/80) and she doubled my Metoprolol dose right away to 50 mg. She told me the noises were caused by my blood pressure, not the medication.

The noises got much worse right away and I was hearing them almost 24 hours a day. Sometimes it was a whoosh-whoosh noise (which I guess is classic for high BP) and sometimes just like a faucet had been turned on in my ear. At this point I definitely suspect it's the medication itself, not the BP. On days when I don't take the med, the noises are much better or not even present. My heart does tend to race though, and the palps are the same either way.

I'd like to wean myself off the med, and if my BP elevates try a different medication. I can't stand the noises anymore so my priority is to stop them. I am curious if this particular side effect has happened to anybody else here?

I am 49 years old and have been in great health until about 6 months ago due to some stressful situations with one of my nephews. My blood pressure was 140/80 at the highest. At this time...I began to have some mild heart palpitations and was put on Toprol XL (50 mg.) suddenly my palpitations became more intense and occurred more often. Then I began to have panic attacks and vision and memory problems. My doctor then prescribed Xanax .25mg. for the panic attacks. I weaned myself off of the 50 and began to take .25 mg. I really wanted off of it so I tried to cut that in half for several weeks. After about a month...I went off of the medicine for several days and began to have some strange symptoms. My arms were tingling and numb, I woke up sweating, my head felt strange...so I went back on the Toprol (25 mg.). I really would like to get off of all of this medicine. I have never been one to take anything and I am far worse than I ever was. I just wonder if doctors read this information and if the drug company takes note of any of this. I think this is a very strong drug that is over prescribed. I worry that I have damaged my heart with this drug. I am just not sure what to do. Please help...

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.

I am a 45 year old female & am on the Toprol-XL 50 mg & take 1 twice a day...I have noticed I have blurred vision & problems with my eyes & also suffer with my legs hurting a lot & also have joint stiffness & cramps in my feet & legs & have trouble sleeping & some memory problems at times along with feeling tired all the time & some depression & shortness of breath & no matter how little I eat I seem to put on weight & look & feel bloated...don't know if it's the Toprol-XL or not but have only had these problems since I been on that & Crestor.

I am a 33 year old woman -- I have been on Toprol XL 50 mg for 2 years for HBP -- Off and on I have epsiodes of severe chest tightness - feels like someone has a belt around my chest and is pulling. Got so bad went to my Dr. thinking I had developed asthma. Put me on asthma meds and they do NOT HELP the chest tightness. Has anyone else experienced this chest tightness? Any response would be GREATLY appreciated.

September 15, I first started taking Toprol XL 50 mg for an irregular heart
2007 beat. That was about 2.5 years ago. It didn't help me at
1:27 PM first so my Dr. upped it to 100mg. It helped for about a
year and a half before I began having diarrhea and loose bowels for over a year now. My doctor didn't seem too concerned about
that. At the same time I was taking 1500mg of Niacin a day. I thought
the loose bowels came from too much Niacin, so I asked the Dr. to take
me off that. That did not help me at all. I am seeiing my Dr. next week
I do hope I can get off of Toprol. I have other side effects as well, enlarged thyroid, dizziness, short term memory, depressed,sleepy. But I do mow the lawn without any fatigue. I am tired of the diarrhea every day 2 to 3 times a day. Thanks to everyone who has posted their side effects/ It helps to know others are having the same side effects I am with Toprol.

Hi, I was switced from Atenolol to Toprol-XL 50 mg about 1 year ago for palpatations and it seemed to work very little papations now. However, I am currently experiencing right upper quadrant pain and my triglycerides are over 500. I am told I it is drug induced fatty liver disease? I am slowly weaning myself off this medication because you can not just quit per/pharmacist. I also have gained weight which I can not lose, hair thinning, hard to concentrate, elevated triglycerides, calf pain after walking or excercising, fluid retention, feet swelling etc..... for those of you who are on it I would suggest having your triglycerides and liver enzymes checked.

I've been on TOPROL-XL( 50 mg) for about 18 months now. Gained 25 lbs. Lack of interest (consistently) in getting much done. I had an aortic valve replacement 12 years ago and they were recently concerned about an enlargement of the aorta-so they wanted the Toprol to reduce the blood pressure further. Its keeping the pressure steady but not a huge decrease. When I discuss the side effects- they smile beningly. I'm having difficulty with digestive tract issues, also, which seem to be connected with weight gain. Other than fluuid retention- anybody know WHY this cuases weight gain? Anybody had any luck switching to other medications??

I began taking Toprol XL 50 mg about one week ago. Since taking it I am tired all the time, my vision seems kind of cloudy and I an constantly groggy. I have also begun having nose bleeds for about the past three days. Has anyone else experienced this? I hate to stop it only after one week, but I may need to try something else.

Hello to you all. I have been on Toprol XL for 8-10 months. I have "palpitations" which is why I was placed on this med. Also a diagnosis of Mitral Valve Prolapse. My doctor told me that the MVP can trigger the palpitations and that Toprol is the drug of choice. It helped for a few days. I felt like a new person at first. Then the palpitations gradually started to come back. I have gained 10 lbs. I am 50 years old and assumed that my wt gain was menopause. Now I think that is NOT the answer. I am an RN and I intend to wean myself off of the Toprol after reading the messages here! Why do I need to keep taking a medicine that is causing me to get fat and is NOT controlling my symptoms? Good luck to you all.

I have been taking Toprol-XL 50 mg for the past two weeks instead of Altenolol 50 mg. I have been having tight chest, pain in my throat area and lower teeth. I did not have these effects when I was taking Atenolol 50 mg. My cardiologist changed me to Toprol-XL because Atenelol might have triggered by depression again. I had a heart attack 12 years ago. I also take Linisiprol. I cannot walk more than 2 or 3 blocks in a regular pace when I get the side effects listed above. Is this a regular side effect?

Knock on wood --I do not have any side effects! I take Toprol XL 50 mg per day. I had been to the ER three times with a heart rate of 150-160's but the highest it has gone since toprol is 104 but only for a few minutes!! I guess they might increase the dose a little?

Gosh that heart rate of 150-160's was so scarey I am glad they make toprol !!

I am so glad I found this site. I have been experiencing severe joint pain and constant edema. I never even thought it could possibly be the toprol xl 50 mg I have been on for over a year now. I have had extensive blood work to find out why I have such joint pain and everything has been coming out normal! I am in pain EVERY day...and it has been getting worse. I do have a thyroid condition (which was also recently checked and all the blood work was fine), because I got terrible joint pain as a symptom of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (an auto-immune disorder) way back in 1999 when I was first diagnosed. So, when this terrible joint pain returned, I was sure it was the thyroid and that my medication for THAT would have to be adjusted. Needless to say, I was shocked and concerned that my thyroid numbers are all normal.
I cried today over this pain...I am only 44 years old and I feel like I'm 90 years old. Maybe fate led me here tonight. It may or may not be the toprol causing all of this pain, but at least I have some hope now. I am scared because since I do have an "auto-immune" disease, I am apparantly at a much higher risk of developing other auto-immune diseases....so perhaps it is not the toprol. I HOPE IT IS THOUGH...

W Female Age:29
i began having high blood pressure just before my second pregnancy 3 1/2 years ago. I have been on Toprol for over 2 years straight to today. I had tried several different medicines that could not control my blood pressure after he was born. Toprol XL 50 mg x 2 daily was the only one that seemed to work, but i do have the side effects. I have had several instances of panic attacks with feeling of dying. By the time i could be seen at the hospital it had already subsided. The doctors have not been able to give any indication as to the reason for these attacks other than it was a panic attack and have prescribed Zanax. I have experienced the heavy left arm with chest pain, the dizziness and nausea along with ringing in the ears. I am now changing cardiologists and will try new medications to rid of the side effects. Again, the medicine has done its purpose, but the side effects are begging to take their toll.

I had what a nurse called as a hypertension crisis with a 220/130 bp. I went to the ER in an ambulance. After trying me on several meds over a short period of a few days, I am now on Toprol XL 50 mg. and cardizem LA 180 mg. I have only been on Toprol for 1 day and I already have leg muscle weakness and feel a sense of depression that I never have. I am also dizzy and have some shortness of breath. The doctor says that my heart is strong and that all my blood work was great. I am just worried that it won't stay that way. I have an alternative medicine physician that I will be talking to and looking for safer alternatives. Does anyone know if only 5 days on bp medicine and then weaning myself off will hurt me?

HI I'M 45 YR. OLD MALE I'VE BEEN ON TOPROL XL 50 MG. SO FAR EVERYTHING I'VE READ ABOUT EVERYONE WITH THE SIDE EFFECTS HAS ME WORRIED I'VE BEEN ON IT FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW SO FAR NO SIDE EFFECTS IT HAS LOWER MY BLOOD PRESSURE ALOT ....................

I just started taking Toprol today for tachycardia,increased BP, which my dr says may me hyperthyroidism. I have been waking up at 3 am for days with a racing heart. No racing heart now with Toprol XL 50 mg, but my fingers feel swollen and I can't sleep. I feel short of breath and my muscles hurt. After reading all of the comments, I will call the dr tomorrow and ask for something else. This drug is scary.

I am 23 year old female, been on toprol xl 50 mg for almost 7 months and i have gained aleast 15 pounds, i have very bad hot flashes where my upper body gets extremely hot and i sweat, my heart beats rapidly on occassions also i have found it almost impossible to lose the pounds i have gained...my doc says toprol dosn't make you gain weight, but how would he know, he isn't on it...can anybody relate?

has anyone ever heard of toprol causing high blood sugar?i have been on toprol xl 50 mg for 3 years and recent blood work showed high glucose levels. i dont have a family history of diabetes but am overwieght. just wondering.

I have been on Toprol XL 50 mg for over a year. I am also on Benicar 20 mg over the same time period. I have "full" feelings in the left backside of my head. I get dizzy for seconds on a weekely basis. As a side issue, I am having blurred vision, but my eyes are checking out OK.

I, too, was originally prescribed Toprol XL 50 mg last 1/5/06. I took it for about two weeks then stopped and switched to Benicar. Toprol was too potent for me. Although I like the relaxed feeling and being able to fall asleep right away, I dreaded falling too sound asleep. This drug caused me to have nightmares and vivid dreams. Every night, all my fears and phobias seem to play itself out in my dreams. I'd wake up thinking it all actually happened! Very creepy! I also felt that heavy and hollow feeling that someone else here described. I really felt sad and depressed, lack of energy, sleepiness, night sweats, lack of appetite--which would have been a plus :), but with all the other side effects, I just didn't think it was good for me to continue taking it. We are currently on the experimental stage on which meds work with the least horrible symptoms. I am also on HCT and Lisinopril. I stopped taking the latter due to incessant, hacking coughs.

I'm glad this website is here, as now I know my symptoms from all these meds are not at all uncommon. Most doctors will never tell patients what side effects these drugs can cause, so as not to scare or plant ideas in their heads. Their job is to prescribe what they think will control HBP...then they just wait how the patient will react. It's up to us the patients to listen to our bodies and complain if we must when the drug has adverse effects. They will switch you to a better alternative. If that is too costly and wasteful....make sure to ask your doctor to give you samples first before you fill that Rx, because even if you tell the pharmacist not to fill the 30-day prescription, the price per pill is more expensive. At least that's what my Costco pharmacist told me. I really think these doctors get a payback/kickback, what have you, for prescribing these drugs. So, ask a lot of questions before agreeing to take anything. Doctors are humans--not God. Their opinions a
re subjective and YES, they make mistakes too.

I, too, was originally prescribed Toprol XL 50 mg last 1/5/06. I took it for about two weeks then stopped and switched to Benicar. Toprol was too potent for me. Although I like the relaxed feeling and being able to fall asleep right away, I dreaded falling too sound asleep. This drug caused me to have nightmares and vivid dreams. Every night, all my fears and phobias seem to play itself out in my dreams. I'd wake up thinking it all actually happened! Very creepy! I also felt that heavy and hollow feeling that someone else here described. I really felt sad and depressed, lack of energy, sleepiness, night sweats, lack of appetite--which would have been a plus :), but with all the other side effects, I just didn't think it was good for me to continue taking it. We are currently on the experimental stage on which meds work with the least horrible symptoms. I am also on HCT and Lisinopril. I stopped taking the latter due to incessant coughing (more like barking).

I'm glad this website is here, as now I know my symptoms from all these meds are not at all uncommon. Most doctors will never tell patients what side effects these drugs can cause, so as not to scare or plant ideas in their heads. Their job is to prescribe what they think will control HBP...then they just wait how the patient will react. It's up to us the patients to listen to our bodies and complain if we must when the drug has adverse effects. They will switch to a better alternative. If that is too costly and wasteful....make sure to ask your doctor to give you samples first before you fill that Rx, because even if you tell the pharmacist not to fill the 30-day prescription, the price per pill is more expensive. At least that's what my Costco pharmacist told me. I really think these doctors get a payback/kickback, what have you, for prescribing these drugs. So, ask a lot of questions before agreeing to take anything. Doctors are humans--not God. Their opinions are subjective and YES, they make mistakes too.

I was started on Toprol XL 50 mg 3 weeks ago and am stopping it immediately. I have had 3 trips to the ER with shortness of breath and left sided chest pain. Other symptoms include a 10 pound weight gain, leg/feet swelling, difficulty swallowing, tremendous fatigue, headache, periods of feeling faint/lightheaded, extreme nausea and constipation with abdominal bloating. I have never felt so horrible in my life and will NEVER take this drug again.

I'am taking Toprol XL 50 MG along with Hyzaar 50-12.5 for about 4 months. 2 months ago I started to have many side effects including dizziness,tired all the time,weak feeling,muscles weakened especially in knees,feeling like falling.extreme blurred vision and dry cough. My blood pressure was being helped down from the 170/85 range to around 130/65 range. I stopped taking the toprol and in 4-5 days I was feeling much better but my blood pressure went sky high again. I started taking the toprol but my blood pressure wouldn't go down again. I think I would rather risk the high blood pressure rather then the side effects.

I'm male and 34 yrs. old and 168 lbs. I've used Toprol XL 50 mg for almost 10 months now. There's got to be a better drug than this. On the first 4 weeks, I experienced sporadic nightmares and waking-up with cold sweats. I gained 12 lbs immediately, had difficulty getting up from bed in th morning, mild depression, leg pains, low sex drive. On some occassions, I'd feel incoherent and having difficulty making quick decisions. I guess that's also related to loss of mental focus. It came to a point in the following weeks when I left town for the weekend and forgetting my Norvasc and Toprol. I thought two days wont hurt. The 2nd day, my heart-beat sored to almost 130 bpm. My BP was 173/108. I had ice-pick chest pains, palpitations and shortness of breath. I wound up in the emergency room. The doc at the hospital suspected my heart went cold-turkey on Toprol XL. They then gave me the same dosage and an hour later along with Norvasc got me under control. I don't like this med. I was told by some doctors , once you're in it, its tough to get out of it. It is something I'll have to take for the rest of my life. Also, stopping the med may cause cardiac arrest. Dunno if that's true. I did try spliiting my Toprol in half and it has reduced the side-effects on me. I still want out of it though. Anyone having the same dillema?