Toprol® (short for Toprol-XL®) 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.
Toprol is manufactured by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.
Toprol has been licensed to treat a number of conditions.
These uses for Toprol include:
Toprol may also be recommended for other reasons, such as the treatment for
migraines or
anxiety. Toprol has not been licensed for use in children, though it is often used to treat specific conditions in children.
Toprol 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:
Toprol helps to block a specific type of beta receptor called beta-1 receptors. By blocking beta-1 receptors, Toprol 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. Toprol also increases the efficiency of the heart, allowing more blood to be pumped out to the rest of the body.
A
blood pressure reading consists of two numbers -- for example, 120/80. The top number is known as the systolic blood pressure, and the bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure. In previous clinical studies, people taking Toprol were able, on average, to decrease systolic blood pressure by 6 mmHg to 8 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 4 mmHg to 7 mmHg. The higher the dose of Toprol, the greater the drop in blood pressure tended to be. By
lowering blood pressure, Toprol can also decrease the risks that accompany long-term
high blood pressure (see Effects of High Blood Pressure). By decreasing the workload of the heart, Toprol can also decrease the number of
angina attacks and increase exercise tolerance.
For people with
congestive heart failure, the effects of Toprol on the heart and blood vessels have been shown to result in a decrease in hospitalizations and loss of life from congestive
heart failure.
Toprol: When and How Do I Take It?
Some general considerations for when and how to take Toprol include:
- Toprol comes in a tablet form and is taken once a day.
- Toprol should be taken with or immediately after a meal.
- Do not break, chew, or crush the Toprol tablets.
- Toprol should be taken at the same time each day to maintain an even level of the medicine in your blood.
- For Toprol to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. Toprol will not work if you stop taking it.
- You should not stop taking Toprol without first discussing it with your healthcare provider. Stopping Toprol abruptly increases the risk of serious side effects (see Toprol-XL Precautions and Warnings).
The dose of Toprol that your healthcare provider recommends will vary depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your age
- The medical condition you are being treated for
- Other medical conditions you may have
- Other medications you may be currently taking
- How you respond to Toprol.
As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
As with any medicine, there are possible side effects of Toprol. However, not everyone who takes Toprol will experience problems. When Toprol 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 Toprol side effects include:
(Click Toprol Side Effects to learn about specific side effects of Toprol, including some of the more serious side effects that you should report to your healthcare provider.)
You can also read about other possible side effects by clicking the following eMedTV links:
Drug Interactions With Toprol
Toprol can potentially interact with a number of other medicines.
Toprol: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Toprol if you have:
Also let your healthcare provider know if you:
- Are pregnant or trying to become pregnant (see Toprol-XL and Pregnancy)
- Are breastfeeding
- Will be undergoing surgery or anesthesia.
You should also tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you may be currently taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines,
antacids, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
People who take too much Toprol may have overdose symptoms that could include, but are not limited to:
- Extremely low blood pressure
- A severe decrease in heart rate (bradycardia)
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Congestive heart failure
- Loss of consciousness
- Loss of life.
If you happen to overdose on Toprol, seek medical attention immediately.
Toprol should be stored at room temperature in a dry place. Toprol tablets should be kept in an airtight, light-resistant container.
Keep Toprol and all other medications out of the reach of children.
Toprol: What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you do not take your Toprol as scheduled, take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed one and continue with normal dosing. Never take a double dose!
Toprol comes in a number of strengths, including:
- Toprol 25 mg
- Toprol 50 mg
- Toprol 100 mg
- Toprol 200 mg.
Toprol is available as a generic medicine.
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