How to Take Toprol-XL

Toprol-XL is a brand name for the prescription drug Metropolol. It is a type of drug known as a beta-blocker which the heart and the circulation of blood through the arteries and veins. You can take Toprol-XL to treat angina and high blood pressure as well as for the treatment and prevention of heart attacks. Follow these steps to take Toprol-XL.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• prescription

1. Follow the instructions you were given by your doctor to take Toprol-XL. Read any information or instruction pamphlets that you were given with the medication. If you have any questions on the information or how to take Toprol-XL you should contact your doctor or the pharmacist before taking Toprol-XL.
2. Stay on a strict regimen while you are taking Toprol-XL. Take the medication at the same time every day with a full glass of water to ensure you take Toprol-XL daily.
3. Follow the instructions of your doctor if they want you to cut the Toprol-XL pill in half so you receive the proper dosage. It is important that you do not crush, chew or dissolve the time-release tablet, however. Toprol-XL is a time-release medication and crushing or chewing the pill could cause too much of the medication to be released at one time.
4. Incorporate a diet and exercise regimen in accordance with your doctor’s instructions while taking Toprol-XL. If you have hypertension, a diet and exercise program, along with taking Toprol-XL, will give you the best results.
5. Take Toprol-XL exactly as prescribed, even if you are feeling well, if you are being treated for high blood pressure. There are often no outward sign for high blood pressure and stopping Toprol-XL could cause your hypertension symptoms to return.

Tips & Warnings

• Store Toprol-XL at room temperature and keep Toprol-XL away from heat and moisture.
• Inform your doctor that you are taking Toprol-XL if you need to have any type of surgery. You may need to stop taking Toprol-XL for a short time during your surgery and while you are recovering from your surgery.
• Tell your doctor before taking Toprol-XL f you have congestive heart failure, asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, diabetes, low blood pressure, depression, liver disease, kidney disease, thyroid disorder or myasthenia gravis. You may not be able to take Toprol-XL or your dosage may need to be altered.
• Be careful when driving or operating heavy machinery while taking Toprol-XL. Toprol-XL may impair your reaction time and thinking.
• If you miss a dose of Toprol-XL you should take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If you are within four hours of your next dose you should skip the missed dose and continue taking Toprol-XL as prescribed.
• Less serious side effects from taking Toprol-XL include vomiting, insomnia, trouble reaching orgasm, impotence, low sex drive, feeling tired, anxiety, and nervousness. If you notice any of these side effects you should continue taking Toprol-XL as prescribed. If the problems persist or worsen you should contact your doctor.
• Do not take Toprol-XL if you have a heart block, sick sinus syndrome, a slow heart rate, pheochromocytoma, or circulation problems. Inform your doctor if you have any of these problems before starting Toprol-XL.
• Do not drink alcohol while taking Toprol-XL. Alcohol could increase the dizziness and drowsiness that are common with use of Toprol-XL.
• Do not take Toprol-XL if you are pregnant, could become pregnant or are nursing. Toprol-XL is known to cause birth defects in newborn babies and to pass in breast milk.
• Signs of an overdose include uneven heartbeat, shortness of breath, blue fingernails, dizziness, weakness, fainting, and seizure. Watch for the signs of an overdose and seek medical attention immediately.
• Avoid any activity that requires you to be completely alert. Toprol-XL is known to impair your thinking and reaction times.
• If you have an allergic reaction while taking Toprol-XL you need to seek medical attention immediately. Signs of an allergic reaction include hives, trouble breathing, and swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, lips, and face.
• Serious side effects from taking Toprol-XL include slow heartbeat, uneven heartbeat, light-headedness, fainting, shortness of breath, swelling in your ankles, and feet, nausea, stomach pain, low fever, poor appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stool, jaundice, depression, and cold hands and feet. Stop tasking Toprol-XL and seek medical attention immediately if you notice any of these signs.
• Combining Toprol-XL with other drugs is known to cause adverse reactions. Inform your doctor before taking Toprol-XL if you are taking or have recently taken gigoxin, clonodine, ritonavir, terbinafine, chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, bupropion, fluoxetine, paroxetine, thioridazine, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine, phenelzine, selegiline, insulin, glyburide, glipizide, chlorpropamide, metformin, nifedipine, quinidine, propafenone, reserpine, verapamil, diltiazem, albuterol, bitolterol, metaproterenol, pirbuterol, terbutaline, theophylline, amiloride, chlorthalidone, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone, triamterene, or torsemide.