Drug Title

Lopressor (Metoprolol)

Application

Lopressor is used to treat high blood pressure, alone or with other drugs, prolonged chest pain as well as reduce the risk of death due to heart problems in patients after a heart attack. It can also be used for other conditions determined by your doctor.

Mode of application

Use Lopressor as prescribed by your doctor.

• Take Lopressor exactly as it is prescribed for you by the doctor. Do not take medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor.
• Take the medicine with plenty of fluid.
• To make sure that the medicine helps you, check your blood pressure regularly. It is important not to miss any scheduled visits to the doctor.

The mechanism of action

Lopressor is a beta-adrenergic blocker. It works by reducing the workload of the heart (reduces chest pain) and the amount of blood the heart pumps out (lowers high blood pressure). It is also used to stabilize the heart rhythm in conditions when the heart beats are too fast or at an irregular rhythm.

Missed dose

If you miss a dose of Lopressor, take it as soon as possible. If this occurred while taking your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Storage

Lopressor is stored at a temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees C). No long-term storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 ° and 30 ° C) is allowed. Keep away from heat, moisture and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Lopressor out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Precautions

Do not use Lopressor, if:

• You are allergic to any ingredient in Lopressor;
• You have a very slow heart rate (e.g. bradycardia, AV block), heart failure controlled by diuretics (e.g. furosemide) and digoxin or very low systolic blood pressure (less than 100 mm Hg);
• You are taking Mibefradil.

Contact the doctor immediately if any of the items applies to you.

To know:

• Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks if you are taking medication for the first time.
• Patients with high blood pressure often feel tired during the treatment. Take the medication even if you do not feel normal. Consult with a specialist.
• If you have angina (chest pain) or other heart problems, do not stop suddenly taking Lopressor without first consulting your doctor. If your doctor decides you should no longer use Lopressor, you need to stop Lopressor gradually according to the doctor’s prescriptions.
• If the doctor has instructed to check your blood pressure and heart rate regularly, be sure to do it.
• Do not take any anti-cold medicines without first consulting the doctor or pharmacist.
• In patients with diabetes Lopressor can affect blood sugar levels. Check your blood sugar levels. Consult the doctor before changing the dose.
• Tell the doctor or dentist of Lopressor treatment before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care or surgery.
• Laboratory tests, including liver and kidney function, blood pressure and complete blood cell count can be performed while you are taking Lopressor. These tests can be used to monitor your condition and help identify side effects.
• Use Lopressor with extreme caution in children as here the safety and efficacy have not been yet confirmed.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you become pregnant, consult the doctor. You need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Lopressor during pregnancy. Lopressor is found in breast milk. If you plan to breast-feed while using Lopressor, consult the doctor.

Side-effects

Consult your doctor if any of the most common side effects persist or become frequent:

• blurred vision, cold hands and feet, confusion, constipation, depression, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth / eyes, gas, hair loss, headache, indigestion, itching, dizziness, mild drowsiness, muscle aches, nausea, night nightmares, ringing in the ears, short term memory loss, insomnia, abdominal pain, unusual tiredness or weakness.

Contact your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur:

• Severe allergic reactions (rash, hives, itching, shortness of breath, chest tightness, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue), chest pain, fainting, knock in the chest, swelling of hands, arms, and legs, wheezing, yellowing skin or eyes.

Additional information

Lopressor should be used strictly on prescription.
If symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, consult the doctor.