Generic Toprol XL i.e. Metoprolol is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent. Metoprolol blocks the action of the sympathetic nervous system a portion of the involuntary nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system stimulates the pace of the heart beat. By blocking the action of these nerves Metoprolol reduces the heart rate and is useful in treating abnormally rapid heart rhythms. Hence, the medicine is a beta blocker used to treat high blood pressure, angina pectoris i.e. chest pain and congestive heart failure.

However, generic Toprol i.e. Metoprolol also reduces the force of heart muscle contraction and lowers blood pressure. By reducing the heart rate and the force of muscle contraction metoprolol reduces heart muscle oxygen demand. Since angina occurs when oxygen demand of the heart exceeds supply metoprolol is helpful in treating angina.

However, before taking Metoprolol i.e. Toprol XL medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient and read it carefully. Talk to your doctor about all the possible risks of taking Toprol XL medication. However, Toprol XL may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. Hence, for more information, consult your doctor and your medical pharmacist.

Follow the directions given by the doctor exactly for the usage of the Toprol XL i.e. Metoprolol medication and also read the prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.

Swallow it whole and do not crush or chew before swallowing. If you have difficulty swallowing the tablet, you may cut in half. Swallow the half tablet without crushing or chewing it. However, the medicine can be taken before meals or at bedtime with food or milk.

If you wish to use the medication for your children, please contact your pediatrician for the dosage.

If you notice any of the symptoms, which seem severe or persistent to you, please contact your doctor immediately. However, your doctor may need to monitor you carefully for side effects and alter the doses if necessary.

Metoprolol is generally well tolerated and side effects are mild and transient. Rare side effects include dreaming, memory loss, fever, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, insomnia, nausea, depression, impotence, lightheadedness, slow heart rate, low blood pressure, cold extremities, sore throat and shortness of breath or wheezing.

Inform your doctor if you experience any of these side effects or some new side effects occur which appear too bothersome to you.

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to the formulation of this medication or any other medication in any other form and also inform your doctor about any other medication you may be taking in any other form, as they may affect the way your medicine works.

Metoprolol can aggravate breathing difficulties in patients with asthma, chronic bronchitis or emphysema. In patients with existing slow heart rates i.e. bradycardias and heart blocks i.e. defects in the electrical conduction of the heart, metoprolol can cause dangerously slow heart rates and even shock. Metoprolol reduces the force of heart muscle contraction and can aggravate symptoms of heart failure. Calcium channel blockers and digoxin Lanoxin can cause lowering of blood pressure and heart rate to dangerous levels when administered together with metoprolol. In patients with coronary artery disease abruptly stopping metoprolol can suddenly worsen angina and occasionally precipitate heart attacks. If it is necessary to discontinue metoprolol its dosage can be reduced gradually over several weeks.

Metoprolol can mask the early warning symptoms of low blood sugar i.e. hypoglycemia and should be used with caution in patients receiving treatment for diabetes. Safe use of metoprolol in children has not been established. It is not habit forming.

Moreover, Toprol XL i.e. Metoprolol may also interact with some kind of foods, varied medications, herbal products, nutritional supplements, vitamins, other OTC medicines etc. Acquire more information about the interactions of the Toprol XL medication from your doctor and the medical pharmacists.

In case of overdose call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
If the suffering patient has collapsed or is not breathing call local emergency services at 911. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Symptoms of overdose may include bluish discoloration of skin, severe chest pain, loss of consciousness, nausea, vomiting, slowed heart rate, difficulty breathing etc.

Do not allow any other person to use your medication without getting doctor’s prescription themselves and also avoid using this medicine for other health conditions on your own. Keep the medicine away from the children and pets.

Also inform your doctor, if you are pregnant or are breast feeding. If you conceive during the course, inform your doctor immediately. Do not share your medicines with anyone, even if they have the same symptoms, for it may harm them. Do not begin, increase, decrease, or stop using this medicine on your own.

Remember, it is very important to keep regular appointments with your doctor to study the way your body is responding to the course. And if you are going to have a surgery, tell your health care professional that you are taking Toprol XL medication.

And in case, if you wish to use the medicine in children, please contact your pediatrician for sure before its use.

If you missed the dose, do take the medicine immediately provided that there is ample of time in between the next dose. However, if it is almost time for the next dose skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Never double your doses to cope up with the missed. And in case, if you miss your one or two consecutive doses consult to your doctor or physician for guidance and continue further.

The generic Toprol XL i.e. Metoprolol medication is prescribed for patients with high blood pressure hypertension. It is also used to treat chest pain i.e. angina pectoris related to coronary artery disease. Metoprolol is also useful in slowing and regulating certain types of abnormally rapid heart rates i.e. tachycardias. Other uses for metoprolol include the prevention of migraine, headaches and the treatment of certain types of tremors i.e. familial or hereditary essential tremors.

However, it may also be used to treat some other medical conditions which may be determined by your doctor accordingly and consult a pediatrician for the use of this medication in children.

The generic Toprol XL i.e. Metoprolol medication may be prescribed for other uses also, so ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the Toprol XL i.e. Metoprolol medication.

Generic Toprol XL i.e. Metoprolol tablets should be stored at room temperature in a cool and dry place. Keep the medicine in the container, it came in and always keep it tightly closed. Check Expiry date without fail. Keep all medicines away from women, newborns, children and pets. Do not freeze in any case. Also, keep it away from heat, dampness and direct light. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. When the medicine is not in use or outdated it should be discarded. Take help of your pharmacist in disposing this medicine properly. In any case, do not store the Toprol XL tablets in the bathroom.

Following precautions must be taken during consuming generic Toprol XL i.e. Metoprolol:

1. Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had: kidney disease, lung disease, liver disease, heart disease, diabetes, low or high blood pressure, heart attack and strokes or any other severe disease etc. Also inform, if you drink alcoholic beverages.

2. Also acknowledge your doctor if you need to undergo any kind of surgery, including dental surgery or need an x-ray procedure that uses contrast agents. So, inform your doctors immediately about it, so that the doctor can decide whether to continue taking Toprol XL medication or stop it during the surgery.

3. Let the doctor also know, if you are in-taking or are planning to take any prescribed or non prescribed medicines, health supplements or any other OTC medications, vitamins etc. This also includes any medicines used to treat colds or congestion.

4. Do not use the Toprol XL i.e. Metoprolol medication, if you have any kind of allergy to it or to any ingredients of it and tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and get treated.

5. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding before taking Toprol XL medication. Hence also, inform your doctor immediately when you plan to conceive, or become pregnant during the course as this drug should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. This medicine however passes through the breast milk.

6. Do not share the drug with others unless they are prescribed by the doctor themselves. And if your symptoms of side effects do not improve in few weeks or if they become worse and bothersome, check these conditions immediately with your doctor.

7. Please, use the Toprol XL medicine in the prescribed amount and do not overdose it or use it for the longer period of time. Do not discontinue on your own and consult your doctor before doing so to avoid further problems.

8. Regularly, keep your appointments with your doctor and keep an eye on the progress or side effects that has been noticed during the complete course.

9. Also, avoid alcohol and alcohol containing beverages during the complete course. However, the Toprol XL medication can cause drowsiness or dizziness and hence, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to this medicine.

10. Please check your blood pressure and heart rate regularly, as instructed by your doctor.

11. For patients with diabetes mellitus, this medicine may mask signs of low blood sugar such as a rapid heartbeat. Check blood glucose levels regularly.

12. For more information, contact your doctor and your pharmacists and also discuss the risks and benefits of the generic Toprol XL.