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In this Article

• What is metoprolol (Lopressor)?
• What are the possible side effects of metoprolol (Lopressor)?
• What is the most important information I should know about metoprolol (Lopressor)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking metoprolol (Lopressor)?
• How should I take metoprolol (Lopressor)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Lopressor)?
• What happens if I overdose (Lopressor)?
• What should I avoid while taking metoprolol (Lopressor)?
• What other drugs will affect metoprolol (Lopressor)?
• Where can I get more information?

What happens if I miss a dose (Lopressor)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If your next dose is less than 4 hours away, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Lopressor)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include slow or uneven heartbeats, shortness of breath, bluish-colored fingernails, dizziness, weakness, or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking metoprolol (Lopressor)?

Metoprolol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid drinking alcohol, which could increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking metoprolol.

What other drugs will affect metoprolol (Lopressor)?

Before taking metoprolol, tell your doctor if you are using:

• digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin);
• clonidine (Catapres);
• ritonavir (Norvir);
• terbinafine (Lamisil);
• anti-malaria medications such as chloroquine (Aralen) or hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil, Quineprox);
• medicine to treat depression or mental illness, such as bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), paroxetine (Paxil), thioridazine (Mellaril), and others;
• an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam);
• a diabetes medication such as insulin, glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase), glipizide (Glucotrol), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), or metformin (Glucophage);
• a heart medication such as nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex), propafenone (Rythmol), reserpine (Serpasil), verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Isoptin), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem);
• medicine for asthma or other breathing disorders, such as albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil), bitolterol (Tornalate), metaproterenol (Alupent), pirbuterol (Maxair), terbutaline (Brethaire, Brethine, Bricanyl), and theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theolair);
• a diuretic (water pill) such as amiloride (Midamor, Moduretic), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Lopressor, Vasoretic, Zestoretic), spironolactone (Aldactazide, Aldactone), triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide, Dyazide), torsemide (Demadex), and others; or
• cold medicines, stimulant medicines, or diet pills.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with metoprolol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about metoprolol.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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