Online Pharmacy News

How to buy use and store Lopressor (Metoprolol)

// June 23rd, 2010 // Heart Disease

buy lopressor

Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ; Lopressor (Metoprolol) tablets

Lopressor is a beta adrenergic blocker. Although it provides an excellent treatment of acute hypertensive crises in older children, adolescents and adults, lopressor has not been tested sufficiently in small children.

What are Lopressor (Metoprolol) tablets?

METOPROLOL; HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE (Lopressor HTC) is a combination of two drugs used to lower blood pressure. Lopressor (Metoprolol) is a beta-blocker and hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic (“water pill”). Metoprolol; hydrochlorothiazide is used to control, but not cure, high blood preassure (hypertension). Generic metoprolol; hydrochlorothiazide tablets are available.

Lopressor (Metoprolol) dose

In older children / adolescents, 5 mg of lopressor is administered as an intravenous push. This same dose can be repeated for the desired effect in two minutes and for two subsequent doses.

Adverse effects

Similarly to the other beta lockers, lopressor results in drowsiness and bradycardia. It exacerbates congestive heart failure and causes bronchospasm.

What should my health care professional know before I take Lopressor (Metoprolol); hydrochlorothiazide?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Asthma, bronchitis or bronchospasm
• Autoimmune disease such as lupus (SLE)
• Bradycardia (unusually slow heartbeat)
• Chest pain (angina)
• Circulation problems or blood vessel disease (such as Raynaud’s disease)
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Electrolyte imbalance (such as low or high levels of potassium in the blood)
• Emphysema, COPD, or other lung disease
• Gout
• Heart disease (such as heart failure or a history of heart attack)
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Muscle weakness or myasthenia gravis
• Pancreatitis
• Pheochromocytoma
• Post-sympathectomy
• Psoriasis
• Thyroid disease
• An unusual or allergic reaction to hydrochlorothiazide, metoprolol, other beta-blockers, diuretics, sulfonamides, or other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• If you are on special diet, such as a low-salt diet (using potassium substitutes)
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I take Lopressor (Metoprolol)?

Take Lopressor (Metoprolol) tablets by month with food or after a meal. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take Lopressor (Metoprolol) more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber’s advice. Contact your health care professional regarding the use of Lopressor (Metoprolol) in children. Special care may be needed. Elderly patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction to this medicine and need smaller doses.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with Lopressor (Metoprolol)?

• Allopurinol
• Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen)
• Cevimeline
• Cimetidine
• Clonidine
• Cocaine or amphetamine
• Fluvoxamine or fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Ginger, Zingiber officinale
• Griseofulvin
• Hawthom
• Lithium
• Liothyronine
• Mefloquine
• Medicines for chest pain or angina
• Medicines for colds breathing difficulties
• Medicines for diabetes
• Medicines for high blood pressure or heart failure
• Medicines known as MAO inhibitors, such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Pamate), isocarboxazid (Marplan), and selegiline (Carbex, Eldepryl)
• Medicines to control heart rhytm (including amiodatone, digoxin, disopyramide, dofetilide, flecanide, propafenone, quinidine, and sotalol)
• Porfimer
• Prochlorpetazine (Compazine)
• Rifampin
• Some antibiotics which increase sensitivity to sunlight (sulfonamides, tetracyclines)
• Some medicines for lowering cholesterol (colestipol or cholestyramine)
• Some medicines for weight loss (include some herbal products, ephedrine, dextroamphetamine)
• Vitamin A (retinol) creams or pills such as tretinoin Retin-A, Renova, Solage, Atragen, and others
• Water pills (diuretics)

Tell your prescriber or health care provider about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell you prescriber or health care professional if you are frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starring any of you medicines.

What should I watch while taking Lopressor (Metoprolol)?

Check your heart rate and blood pressure regularly while you are taking Lopressor (Metoprolol). Ask your prescriber or health care professional what your blood pressure should be and when you should contact with her/him. When you check with your blood pressure, write down the measurments to show your prescriber or helth care professional. If you are taking Lopressor (Metoprolol) for a long time you must visit your prescriber for regular checks on your progress. Make sure your schedule appointments on a regular basis. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly. This could lead to serious heart-related effects. You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that requires mental alertness until you know how Lopressor (Metoprolol) affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly. Alcohol can make you drowsier, and increase the risk of flushing and rapid heartbeats. Therefore, it is best to avoid alcoholic drinks. Check with your health care provider if you get an attack or severe diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, or sweat a lot. Ask you health care professional how much fluid you need to drink each day. The loss of too much body fluid while you are taking a diuretic can cause dehydration and lower the blood pressure below normal. Lopressor (Metoprolol) can affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check with your prescriber or health care provider before you change you diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine. Do not take medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems without asking your prescriber for advice. Do not treat yourself for a fever or sore throat; check with your prescriber or health care provider first. Avoid exposure to sunlight (such as sunlamps, sunbathing) while taking Lopressor (Metoprolol). If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking Lopressor (Metoprolol).

What side effects may I notice from taking Lopressor (Metoprolol)?

Side effect that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• Changes in vision (e.g. blurred vision)
• Cold, tingling, or numb hands or feet
• Confusion, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting spells
• Difficulty breathing, wheezing
• Fever or chills
• Increased thirst or sweating
• Increase or decrease in the amount of urine passed
• Fast or uneven heart beat, palpitations, or chest pain
• Slow heart rate
• Muscle cramps
• Redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• Stomach pain
• Swollen legs or ankles
• Tremor, shakes
• Unusual skin rash or bruising
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Vomiting
• Worsened gout pain
• Yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to you health care provider if they continue or are bothersome):

• Depression, nightmares
• Diarrhea, heartburn, or constipation
• Dry eyes or dry mouth
• Headache
• Increased sensitivity to the sun
• Nausea
• Sexual difficulties, impotence
• Tiredness or fatigue

Where can I keep my Lopressor (Metoprolol) tablets?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open. Store at room temperature at 15 to 30 degrees C (59 to 86 degrees F). Protect from light and moisure, Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.