Metoprolol succinate (extended release), also known as Lopressor and Toprol, is a prescription medication used to treat cardiac conditions such as arrhythmia and angina (chest pain), heart failure and hypertension. It is also prescribed to prevent myocardial infarctions (MI, or heart attacks) as well as treat patients who are status-post MI. According to Drugs.com, this medication is a beta-adrenergic blocker, which decreases the force and rate of heart contractions; thus, the heart does not have to work so hard to pump blood throughout the body.
Common Effects
This cardiac medication has been studied in clinical trials during which several common side effects were documented: bradycardia (resting slow heart rate of 60 beats per minute or less) was experienced by 16 percent of clinical trial participants; dizziness and fatigue (10 percent); diarrhea (5 percent); and loss of appetite, dry mouth, heartburn, gas, nausea, vomiting and constipation (about 1 percent).
Cardiac Effects
This heart medicine may produce cardio-pulmonary side effects. For example, it can reduce heart rate as well as cause hypotension (low blood pressure), arrhythmias and breathing problems. Drugs.com notes that 1 percent of patients experienced the following side effects: angina with syncope, an AV heart block and palpitations, coronary artery spasms and cardiogenic shock. Additionally, some patients gained weight rapidly with peripheral edema (swelling of extremities), thus indicating fluid retention; this retained fluid contributes to another side effect, namely congestive heart failure. Do not stop taking this medicine abruptly without discussing it with the doctor, as sudden cessation could induce chest pain and other heart attack symptoms.
Other Effects
An allergic reaction is always possible with any medication. Be on the lookout of an allergic reaction, and seek immediate emergency care if you note swelling of the face, throat (with difficulty swallowing) and lips; sudden onset of hives or an unexplained rash with excessive itching; and dyspnea or trouble breathing. Dyspnea refers to labored breathing, more commonly known as shortness of breath, and this medication has precautions regarding pulmonary conditions. Specifically, Drugs.com states that beta-blockers should not be given to patients with bronchospastic diseases such as asthma, bronchitis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), since this drug can exacerbate those conditions. A pre-existing lung disease coupled with an allergic reaction makes this possible adverse reaction an even greater life-threatening risk than usual.
Member Comments