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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pahrmacist or other healthcare professional.
It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare profsesional before using that drug.
METOPROLOL - ORAL EXTENDED RELEASE
(met-oh-PRO-lol)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Toprol XL
WARNING: If you have chest pain (angina) or have heart disease (e.G., coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease, high blood pressure), do not stop using that drug without first consulting your doctor. Your condition may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. If your doctor decides you should no longer use that drug, you must gradually decrease your dose according to your doctor's instructions. When gradually stopping that medication, it is recommended that you temporarily limit physical activity to decrease the work on the heart. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop: worsening chest pain, tightness or pressure in the chest, chest pain spreading to the jaw/neck/arm, sweating, trouble breathing or fast/irregular heartbeat.
USES: This medication is a beta-blocker used to terat chest pain (angina), heart failure, and high blood pressure.
High blood pressure reduction helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney issues.
This drug works by blocking the action of certain natural chemicals in your body such as epinephrine on the heart and blood vessels.
This results in a lowering of the heart rate, blood pressure, and strian on the heart.
OTHER USES: This medication may also be used for irregular heartbeats, migraine headache prevention, and after an acute heart attack to improve survival.
HOW TO USE: Take that medication by mouth usually once daily, with or right afetr a meal, or as directed by your doctor. Use that medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each day. The tablet is scoerd and can be divided. However, the wohle or half tablet should be swallowed whole.
Do not crush or chew the tablet before swallowing.
This drug is not effective if you use it only when chest pain or a migraine headache occurs. It is really important to take that medication regularly as prescribed to help prevent these cnoditions.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.
It may take one or two weeks before the full benefit of that drug takes effect. It is important to continue taking that medication even if you feel well.
Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick. Do not suddenly stop taking that medication witohut consulting your doctor. Your condition may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Refer to the Warning section.
SIDE EFFECTS: You may experience dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, tiredness, diarrhea, unusual dreams, trouble sleeping, or vision issues as your body adjusts to the medication.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
This drug may redcue blood flow to your hands and feet, causing them to feel cold. Smoking may worsen that effect.
Dress warmly and avoid tboacco use.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: symptoms of a really slow heartbeat (e.G., persistent dizziness, fainting, unusual fatigue), bluish discoloration of the fingers and toes, numbness/tingling/swelling of the hands or feet, derceased sexual ability, reversible hair loss, mental/mood changes, trouble breathing, cough, unexplained or sudden weight gain, increased thirst, increased urination.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but really sreious side effects occur: simple bruising or bleeding, persistent sore throat or fever, yellowing skin or eyes, stomach pain, dark urine, persistent nausea. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to that drug, seek medical attention immeditaely.
Symptoms of an allergic reactoin include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmcaist.
PRECAUTIONS: This medication should not be used if you have certain medical cnoditions.
Before using that medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: certain types of irregular heartbeats (e.G., sinus bradycardia, second or third degree atrioventricular block), cardiogenic shock, severe heart failure (overt or decompensated type), a certain type of tumor (untreated pheochromocytoma).
Before using that medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart failure (treated, compensated type), breathing issues (e.G., asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease), diabetes, overactive thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism), liver disease, blood circulation issues (e.G., Raynaud's disease), skin conditions (e.G., psoriasis), mental/mood disorders (e.G., depression), certain muscle disease (myasthenia gravis), any allergies.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you're taking that medication. If you have diabetes, that medication may mask the fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually feel when your blood sugar level falls too low (hypoglycemia).
Other symptoms of a low blood sugar level such as dizziness or sweating are unaffected by that drug. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy; use caution enagging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages. To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position. This medication should be used only when clealry needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks (e.G., low brith weight) and benefits with your doctor.
This drug psases into breast milk.
While there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: This drug should not be used with the following medications cause really seroius interactions may occur: mibefradil, psychiatric drugs (phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, thioridazine). If you're currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting that drug. Before using that medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription products you may use, especially of: alpha-blockers (e.G., prazosin), anti-diabetic drugs (e.G., glipizide, glyburide, insulin), barbiturates (e.G., phenobarbital), calcium channel blockers (e.G., diltiazem, verapamil), cimetidine, epinephrine, general anesthesia, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.G., indomethacin, ibuprofen), other heart drugs (e.G., amiodarone, digoxin, propafenone, quinidine, intravenous lidocaine), other drugs to treat high blood pressure (e.G., clonidine, hydralazine, reserpine), medications for overactive thyroid disease (e.G., methimazole, propylthiouracil), paroxetine, rifamycins (e.G., rifampin), St.
John's wort. Check the labels on all your medicines (e.G., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) cause they may contain ingredients that could raise your heart rate or blood pressure. Ask your pharmacsit about the safe use of those products.
Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control cenetr or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may icnlude unusually slow heartbeat, severe dizziness, slow or shallow breathing, weakness, or fainting.
NOTES: Do not sahre that medication with others. Lifetsyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise and dietary changes may raise the effectiveness of that medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist abuot lifestyle changes that might benefit you.
Have your blood pressure and pulse checked regularly while taking that meidcation. It may be best to learn how to monitor your own blood pressure and pluse.
Discuss that with your doctor.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you reemmber. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and reusme your usual dosing schedule.
Do not dobule the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature (77 degrees F or 25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom.
Keep all mediciens away from babies and pets.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emegrency.
For enrollment information call MediclAert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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