Lopressor

Lopressor is commonly used to treat angina symptoms and high blood pressure, as well as to improve survival following a heart attack. The medicine can help reduce heart rate, blood pressure levels, and the workload of the heart. Side effects may include shortness of breath, dizziness, and diarrhea. Conditions you should let your healthcare provider know about before taking Lopressor are depression, emphysema, and heart disease.

 

What Is Lopressor?

Lopressor® (metoprolol tartrate) is a prescription medicine that has been licensed to treat several conditions related to the heart and blood vessels. It is part of a class of drugs called beta blockers.
 

Who Makes It?

Lopressor is manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals.
 

What Is Lopressor Used For?

Lopressor has been licensed to treat a number of conditions.
 These uses include:
 
The medication does not cure high blood pressure or angina.
 
Lopressor may also be recommended for other reasons, such as the treatment for migraines or anxiety. The medication has not been licensed for use in children, but it is often used off-label to treat specific conditions seen in children.
 
(Click Lopressor Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

How Does It Work?

Lopressor is part of a class of drugs called beta-adrenergic blocking agents, or beta blockers for short. As the name implies, beta blockers block beta receptors in the body. Beta receptors are located in a number of places within the body, including the heart and blood vessels. These receptors are what stress hormones (such as adrenaline) attach to, and they cause certain reactions in the body, such as an increase in:
 
Lopressor helps to block a specific type of beta receptor called beta-1 receptors. By blocking beta-1 receptors, the medication causes the reverse effect of these stress hormones. It decreases heart rate and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as the workload of the heart. This means that the heart requires less blood and oxygen to work properly.
 

Effects of Lopressor

By lowering blood pressure, Lopressor can decrease the risks that accompany long-term high blood pressure (see Effects of High Blood Pressure). By decreasing the workload of the heart, the drug can also decrease the number of angina attacks and increase exercise tolerance. Finally, although the exact mechanism is not known, Lopressor can increase the rate of survival for people who have just suffered a heart attack.
 

When and How Do I Take It?

Some general considerations for when and how to take Lopressor include the following:
 
  • The medication comes in tablet form and should be taken along with, or immediately after, a meal.
     
  • Do not break, chew, or crush the tablets.
     
  • Lopressor should be taken at the same time each day to maintain an even level in your blood.
     
  • For Lopressor to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. The medication will not work if you stop taking it.
     
  • You should not stop taking the drug without first discussing it with your healthcare provider. Abruptly stopping Lopressor increases the risk of serious side effects (see Lopressor Precautions and Warnings).
     

Dosing Information

The dose of Lopressor your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age
  • The medical condition being treated
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may be taking
  • How you respond to the drug.
     
As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
(Click Lopressor Dosage for more information.)
 

Side Effects of Lopressor

As with any medicine, side effects can occur with Lopressor. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience problems. If side effects do occur, they are often minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
The most common side effects include:
 
(Click Lopressor Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report to your healthcare provider.)
 
You can also read about other possible side effects by clicking the following eMedTV links:
 

Drug Interactions

Lopressor can potentially interact with a number of other medicines (see Lopressor Interactions for more information).
 

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Lopressor?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this drug if you have:
 
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:
 
  • Are pregnant or trying to become pregnant (see Metoprolol and Pregnancy)
  • Are breastfeeding
  • Will be undergoing surgery or anesthesia.
     
You should also tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you may be taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, antacids, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Lopressor Precautions and Warnings for more information, including information on who should not take the drug.)
 

What If I Take an Overdose?

People who take too much Lopressor may have overdose symptoms that could include but are not limited to:
 
  • Extremely low blood pressure (hypotension)
  • A severe decrease in heart rate (bradycardia)
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
  • Congestive heart failure.
     
If you happen to take too much, seek immediate medical attention.
 
(Click Lopressor Overdose for more information.)
 

How Should Lopressor Be Stored?

Lopressor should be stored at room temperature in a dry place. The tablets should be kept in an airtight, light-resistant container.
 
Keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children.
 

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?

If you do not take your Lopressor as scheduled, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with normal dosing. Never take a double dose.
 

Available Strengths

Lopressor comes in a number of strengths, including:
 
  • Lopressor 50 mg
  • Lopressor 100 mg.
     

Generic Lopressor

Lopressor is available as a generic medicine (see Generic Lopressor for more information).
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;