Lopressor

Lopressor is used in a patient who already had a heart attack to reduce the risk of death in such patients. It is a selective beta-1 blocker. It works on the heart and decreases heart rate. It also prevents the release of renin in the kidney (a hormone which causes vessels constriction) and so dilates and relaxes vessels, which lowers blood pressure to normal and increases the supply of oxygen and blood to the heart.

It is available in a solution form and only with your doctor’s prescription.

Your doctor will inform you of what you need to know before using Lopressor.

Before starting the treatment your doctor should be informed about condition such as:

Allergy: Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any food, preservatives, dyes, or had an allergic reaction when you used this drug before.

Children: There are no adequate studies done which prove Metoprolol harmful effects in children. But safety is not established. It is not approved to be used by anyone younger than 18 years of age.

Elderly: This medicine does not cause any different side effects or problem than it does in younger adults. However, it should be used with caution if there are liver or heart problems.

Pregnancy: It is a category C drug. It should not be used in pregnancy. It is not known if it can cause harm or death to an unborn baby.

Breast Feeding: It can pass into breast milk and may harm your baby. If you are using Metoprolol while nursing, discuss it with your doctor for possible risk factors.

Drug Interactions: Metoprolol may interact with other drugs. Your doctor should be informed of any other medicines which you are taking. He may want to change the dosage or drug.

Some of them are listed below:

• Prazosin.
• Terbinafine.
• Aspirin.
• Bromfenac.
• Bufexamac.
• Bunazosin.
• Canagliflozin.
• Celecoxib.
• Chlorpropamide.
• An antidepressant : Bupropion, clomipramine, desipramine, duloxetine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline.
• An ergot medicine: dihydroergotamine, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine.
• Heart or blood pressure medications: Amlodipine, clonidine, digoxin, diltiazem, dipyridamole, hydralazine, methyldopa, nifedipine, quinidine, reserpine, verapamil, and others.
• A mao inhibitor: Isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine.
• Medicine to treat mental illness: Chlorpromazine, fluphenazine haloperidol, thioridazine.

Several other conditions may reduce its effectiveness.

Make sure you inform your doctor of conditions such as:

• Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, or other breathing disorder.
• Diabetes (taking metoprolol may make it harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar).
• Liver disease.
• Heart diseases (heart failure, slow heartbeat, heart attack, heart block, heart rhythm problem).
• Problems with circulation (such as Raynaud's syndrome).
• Thyroid disorder.
• Pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland).
• Blood circulation problem.

To use Lopressor properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor.

A doctor or a trained health professional will inject this medicine through the needle into your vein. Injection form of Metoprolol is only infused till your condition improves.

Once you are able to take the medicine you will be switched to an oral form of Metoprolol.

Before using Lopressor, there are some precautions you must take.

Your doctor should check your daily progress at regular visits.

This drug may cause heart failure in some patients. Inform your doctor if you are having chest pain or discomfort, difficulty in breathing, fatigue, swelling of the face, hands, legs and sudden weight gain.

These are signs of heart failure. Your doctor will gradually reduce the dose of this drug before stopping it completely. It is dangerous to suddenly stop taking the drug.

Your blood sugar level may change while using this drug. It can also suppress signs of low blood sugar level such as high pulse rate.

It may decrease alertness level in some people, do not do work which requires alertness such as driving, using machines or sharp objects until you know how you react to this drug.

Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Metoprolol before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.

While using Metoprolol get up slowly from lying or sitting position as you may feel Dizziness, lightheadedness, or even fainting on sudden rising up from bed or chair.

Make sure you meet with your doctor in using Lopressor to avoid unwanted potential side effects.

All medicines have some side effects. Some people may experience none or minor side effects.

Consult with your doctor if they become problematic or frequent:

More common are:

• Blurred vision
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Confusion
• Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position.
• Shortness of breath
• Slow or irregular heartbeat
• Sweating
• Unusual tiredness or weakness.

Less common are:

• Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet.
• Cough
• Decreased urine output
• Difficult or labored breathing
• Dilated neck veins
• Disturbed color perception
• Double vision
• Extreme fatigue
• Fast, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse.
• Halos around lights
• Irregular breathing
• Loss of vision
• Mental confusion
• Night blindness
• Noisy breathing
• Over bright appearance of lights.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.