Lopressor

What is Lopressor

Lopressor is a beta-blocker that has been in use since 1978 for a number of cardiac and neurological conditions.

How does Lopressor Work

Stress, excitement, and physical exercise can increase the production of epinephrine within the body, causing the heart to beat faster and harder. This will cause the dilation of blood vessels and a higher blood pressure. Lopressor, as a beta blocker, reduces the effect epinephrine has on the heart and can help keep blood pressure in check. It is prescribed for high blood pressure and certain rapid heart rates. By reducing the heart rate there is a reduction in the amount of oxygen needed by the heart muscle. It is the need for oxygen that causes angina, or heart pain, so lopressor is also prescribed for angina. It has also been used for the prevention of migraine headaches and to treat certain tremors.

How to take Lopressor

Depending on the reason for taking lopressor, it may be taken in single or divided doses. If it is to be taken on a daily basis it should be taken before eating or when going to bed, usually this will be in pill form. There is a protocol to give three injections, two minutes apart in the case of myocardial infarction, or heart attack, with more given orally every six hours over the following two days.

Side Effects

As with any drug, there can be certain side effects that occur with use. The majority of side effects that have been seen with the use of lopressor include cramps, problems with elimination, fatigue, the inability to seep or stay asleep, nausea, depression, memory loss, fever, impotence, dizziness, an abnormally slow heart rate, blood pressure getting too low, cold hands and feet, sore throat, heart burn, vomiting, and shortness of breath. It has also been known to cause breathing difficulties for people with other respiratory problems. Fatigue and dizziness are the most common side effects, occurring in roughly 10% of patients. Diarrhea, rashes and depression are next, with 5% of patients experiencing them.

Other Brand Names

Lopressor is a brand name for metoprolol.Toprol XL is another brand.

Safety Information:

Since lopressor can be passed in breast milk, it is not recommended for nursing mothers. If a patient is diabetic, or there is concern they may be, lopressor should be used only as a last resort and with caution as it can hide any hypoglycemic issues. It should not be used by patients that already have a slow beating heart or have had heart failure because it slows the heart rate and eases the contractions. Patients that take digoxin should not use lopressor or their heart rate can go very low. Patients that have bronchiospastic diseases should not take any beta blocker, including lopressor.

Dosage:

Lopressor comes in tablet form in

• 25mg,
• 50 mg
• and 100mg.

It is also available in an extended release tablet in

• 25mg,
• 50mg,
• 100mg
• and 200mg.

As an injection it is available as

• 1mg/ml.

Visual Description:

Lopressor is a pink or light blue, oblong, scored tablet. The 50mg tablets are pink and have GEIGY imprinted on one side with 51 twice on the scored side. The 100mg tablets are light blue with GEIGY on one side and 71 twice on the scored side.