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Toprol
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.
This drug has been licensed to treat a number of conditions. These uses include:
It may also be recommended " off-label" for other reasons, such as the treatment for migraines or anxiety. The medication has not been licensed for use in children, although it is often used to treat specific conditions in children.
(Click Toprol-XL Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
How Does the Medication Work?
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 these 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. The medication also increases the efficiency of the heart, allowing more blood to be pumped out to the rest of the body.
Toprol is a beta-1 selective (or cardioselective) beta blocker. This means that it mostly blocks beta-1 receptors, especially at normal doses. However, it can block beta-2 receptors in the lungs to some extent, especially at higher dosages. This can lead to breathing problems, especially in people with asthma or other similar conditions.
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 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, 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.
When and How Do I Take It?
Some general considerations for when and how to take Toprol include the following:
- Toprol comes in a tablet form and is taken once a day.
- The medication should be taken with or immediately after a meal.
- Do not chew or crush the tablets. However, they may be broken in half (on the "score" line), without disrupting their extended-release characteristics.
- Toprol should be taken at the same time each day to maintain an even level in your blood.
- For this drug 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 the medication abruptly increases the risk of serious side effects (see Toprol-XL Precautions and Warnings).
The dose of Toprol 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 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, side effects are possible with Toprol. However, not everyone who takes it 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 Toprol side effects include:
(Click Toprol Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report to your healthcare provider.)
You can read about specific side effects in the following eMedTV links:
Toprol can potentially interact with a number of other medicines (see Toprol-XL Interactions for more information).
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:
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.
What If I Take an Overdose of Toprol?
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)
- Difficulty breathing
- Congestive heart failure
- Loss of consciousness
- Loss of life.
If you happen to overdose on this drug, seek immediate medical attention.
How Should Toprol Be Stored?
Toprol 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 Toprol as scheduled, take your missed 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.
This medicine is available in generic form (see Generic Toprol-XL for more information).
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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