Lopressor (Metoprolol)

General information

Lopressor is in a group of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins). This medication is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. This product contains 2 medications, metoprolol (beta blocker) and hydrochlorothiazide (diuretic). This drug may also be used to treat heart failure.

Directions

Take Lopressor exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Take it at the same time every day. Metoprolol should be taken with food or just after a meal. Take this medication with a full glass of water. Do not suddenly stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel well. To prevent chest pain, a second heart attack, or migraine headaches, it is very important to take this medication regularly as prescribed.

Precautions

Before taking Lopressor, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it or to other beta-blockers, if you have liver or kidney disease, diabetes, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, pheochromocytoma, thyroid disorder. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do any activity that requires alertness. Limit alcoholic beverages.

Contraindications

You should not use Lopressor if you are allergic to metoprolol, or if you have heart block, sick sinus syndrome, or slow heart rate. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have: fainting, nausea, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, hives, swelling of your face, lips, difficulty breathing, uneven heartbeats. Less serious side effects may include: nervousness, vomiting, impotence, sleep problems, diarrhea. Smoking may worsen this effect. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor immediately.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially: medicine for asthma (albuterol, theophylline, metaproterenol), digoxin, ritonavir, MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine, furazolidone), heart medications (diltiazem, reserpine, nifedipine), diuretics, terbinafine, diabetes medications (metformin, glipizide, insulin). Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbal products you use.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are fainting, uneven heartbeats, weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness.

Storage

Store the medicine at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Store it in a tight container.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.