Toprol XL

[windsurfer]

4 days before surgery cardiologist put me on 50 mg of Toprol XL. But now that surgery is canceled with no new date set I would like to get off it. I have no heart problems other than needing AVR and the drug is making me feel not so good ( many irregular beats that I did not have before, can't walk up hill like before,..). The website says it is for hypertension but I'm normaly low blood pressure - last time 90/60 at doctor's office. Perhaps I was on it for other reasons relating to surgery that now won't happen any time soon. Any suggestions as to why one goes on Toprol before surgery?

Thanks,

Bob

 

[ALCapshaw2]

With such Low BP, you need to have your own BP monitor at home.

Toprol is often prescribed to lower your heart rate, especially if you are going into Atrial Fibrilation.
(lowering BP is a secondary effect).

You should call your Cardiologist (or whoever prescribed the Toprol) ASAP and tell them your symptoms and concerns. If you are having difficulties NOW, CALL NOW. There should be someone 'on call' who can answer your questions and recommend a course of action.

A resting Heart Rate below 40 or very low BP (I don't know the exact numbers) IS cause for concern.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[perkicar]

With such Low BP, you need to have your own BP monitor at home.

Toprol is often prescribed to lower your heart rate, especially if you are going into Atrial Fibrilation.
(lowering BP is a secondary effect).

You should call your Cardiologist (or whoever prescribed the Toprol) ASAP and tell them your symptoms and concerns. If you are having difficulties NOW, CALL NOW. There should be someone 'on call' who can answer your questions and recommend a course of action.

A resting Heart Rate below 40 or very low BP (I don't know the exact numbers) IS cause for concern.

'AL Capshaw'

I agree with Al, call your doctor and let them know ASAP about your side effects. They might want to cut your dose (I took 25 twice a day for a while). That blood pressure is borderline low. If you have a machine at home try taking it sitting down and after standing up, you might have some orthostatic hypotension going on which is no fun at all.
I know it was given to me after my AVR to bring my heart rate down and they've just kept me on it since then. For a while I was on metoprolol and betapace but I've been off the betapace for about a month now. I hate having to remember to take my medicine!!!! (whine whine). But I do feel alot better since the AVR, as much as I hate to admit it!

 

[windsurfer]

25 mg

25 mg

Before I had reported the symptoms my cardiologist had already recommended I reduce to 25mg. Today I'll discuss symptoms and perhaps have to take none of it if there is no immediate surgery planned.

Thank you,

Bob

 

[Karlynn]

Some heart meds can cause the very symptoms they are being taken to avoid. Toprol is considered a pretty mild Rx by heart standards, but different people react in different way.

I take Toprol (metoprolol) to slow my heart rate. My BP was already low, so I have to be a bit cautious but after 14 years my body adjusted a long time ago. My cardio tried me on Toprol XL a few years ago and it gave me arrhythmia so I went back to the regular.

Toprol XL is just a long acting form of Toprol and is prescribed so you only have to take it once a day. Not sure why the XL gave me problems.

 

[windsurfer]

hypoglycemia and Toprol

hypoglycemia and Toprol

Karlynn, I agree about the drug possibly causing the problem it tries to avoid.

I read that Toprol can be used to limit AF and arrythmias. Yet it also can mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia and that is a concern for me since I go hypo easily. Normally, when I feel myself going into the shakes (hypoglycemia) I take corrective action quickly. If I don't, then adrenalin and such acts to convert fat to sugar so the heart muscle has fuel - but the adrenalin itself may cause irregular heart beats. I prefer to get the feedback early to avoid the rush and the irregular beats or worse.
Bob