Drug Details
Therapeutic Class:
Beta-blocker
Forms:
Tablet, capsule
Administration:
By mouth
Therapeutic Uses:
Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Angina pectoris (chest pain)
Heart failure
Controlled Status:
Not a controlled substance
What is Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate)?
Toprol XL (tuh proh lulh uhk sell) belongs to a group of medications called beta-blockers. It is used to treat chest pain, high blood pressure, and heart failure and increase the chances of survival in patients who have suffered a heart attack.
There may be other uses of Toprol XL - your pharmacist or healthcare provider can give you more information.
Who can take Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate)?
Toprol XL is approved for use in adults and children over the age of 6 years. Toprol XL is not recommended for children less than 6 years old.
Uses
What is Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate) used for?
Toprol XL is a beta blocker. It is used to treat high blood pressure and prevent angina chest pain. It is also used to treat heart failure and improve the chances of survival in individuals who have suffered a heart attack.
Other uses of this medication may include treating an irregular heartbeat, preventing migraine headaches, and preventing movement disorders that are a side effect of some medications.
How does Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate) work?
Toprol XL works by widening or relaxing the blood vessels and slowing down the heart rate. This makes blood flow easier and decreases blood pressure.
What are Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate) doses?
Toprol XL is available as an oral tablet or capsule in the following strengths: 25 mg | 50 mg | 100 mg | 200 mg
The usual initial dose of Toprol XL for treating high blood pressure is 25 mg to 100 mg in a single dose. The dose can be increased at weekly or longer intervals. The maximum effect of a dose is usually seen after one week of treatment. Doses above 400 mg daily have not been studied for efficacy or safety.
Toprol XL 100 mg daily is usually given as a single dose to treat chest pain. This dose can be slowly increased at weekly intervals until chest pain is controlled or there is a marked slowing of heart rate.
Directions
How should I take Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate)?
Take Toprol XL as directed by your healthcare professional and/or pharmacist. Toprol XL is an extended-release (long-acting) formulation. It is a prescription medicine to be taken by mouth 1-2 times a day. You should take it with meals or immediately after meals. Take your medicine at roughly the same time every day. You can split the Toprol XL tablet. Swallow the full or half tablet whole - do not crush or chew it.
Carefully follow the instructions on the prescription label. Take Toprol XL exactly as advised. Do not take a higher or lower dose of this medicine or take it more or less frequently than prescribed.
It takes around one week for the full effects of Toprol XL to develop. This medication will control your blood pressure and prevent chest pain, but it will not cure these conditions. Continue taking Toprol XL even if you feel well. Do not stop taking the medicine without talking to your doctor first.
Missed dose: If you forget to take a dose of Toprol XL, take it when you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take an extra dose to make up for the missed dose.
Storage: Store Toprol XL at room temperature (between 15-30° C or 59-86° F) away from moisture, heat, and direct light in a tightly closed container. Keep all medications in a safe place out of reach of children and pets.
Unused medicine: Unneeded or expired Toprol XL should be disposed of carefully. Do not flush medicines down the toilet. The best way to do it is through a medicine take-back program. Learn more about proper medication disposal of prescription medicines.
NOTE: This sheet is a summary and does not constitute medical advice. It may not contain all important safety information. If you have questions about Toprol XL, talk to your healthcare professional to ensure proper medical care provided.
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Side Effects
What are Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate) side effects?
Some of the most common side effects of Toprol XL are listed below. Tell your doctor if these adverse effects are severe or persistent.
- Lightheadedness
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Heartburn
- Gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating, gas, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation
- Depression
- Cold hands and feet
- Rash, itching
- Runny nose
Other side effects of Toprol XL can be more serious. Please contact your doctor immediately if you experience side effects such as:
- Swelling in the hands, lower legs, ankles, or feet
- Fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
- Shortness of breath or wheezing
- Fainting
- Rapid weight gain
The above list may not include all the potential side effects of Toprol XL. Seek medical attention right away if you have severe or worsening side effects. You can also report unusual side effects to the Food and Drug Administration at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Toprol XL overdose: In case of an overdose, call your doctor immediately or call the poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If a person cannot be awakened, has trouble breathing, has had a seizure, or has collapsed, call 911 immediately. Symptoms of Toprol XL overdose can include dizziness, difficulty breathing, fainting, or swelling of the hands and feet.
NOTE: Prescription medicines such as Toprol XL are the property of their respective owners and are intended for use only by them. Do not share your medicine with others or use other people’s prescription medicines.
Source: FDA
Warnings
What are the risks of taking Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate)?
Toprol XL can cause serious health problems, especially in certain high-risk patients. Talk to your healthcare professionals about other treatment options for high blood pressure and chest pain if a Toprol XL warning concerns you. Other risks of Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate) use include:
Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options if you are at high risk for the above complications. |
Before starting Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate), what should I tell my doctor?
Tell your doctor if you have an allergy to Toprol XL, any of the active or inactive ingredients in Toprol XL extended-release tablets, or any other medications. Your pharmacist can give you a list of ingredients.
Give your doctor a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, vitamins, and herbal/natural products. This can help avoid serious drug interactions.
Tell your healthcare professional about all your medical conditions. Toprol XL may not be right for people with certain health conditions. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma or other lung diseases, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), diabetes, liver disease, severe allergies, pheochromocytoma (a tumor that causes fast heartbeat and high blood pressure), slow heart rate, heart failure, heart disease, or blood circulation problems.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. Also, tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
What precautions should I take while on Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate)?
Keep all your appointments with your healthcare provider. Write down a list of all your medications. Bring this list with you to every healthcare appointment. Your doctor may want to check your blood pressure at regular intervals to see how you respond to Toprol XL. If your doctor asks you to check your pulse rate (heart rate), ask them or your pharmacist to show you the correct way to do this. Tell your doctor if your pulse is slower or faster than the normal range.
Toprol XL can make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive a car, operate heavy machinery, or do anything that requires focus and full attention before knowing how this medicine affects you. You should know that alcohol can make drowsiness caused by this medicine worse.
You should be aware of an allergic reaction or that your allergies can worsen while on Toprol XL. Also, you may not respond to the usual dose of injectable epinephrine.
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Toprol XL.
Tell your healthcare providers that you take Toprol XL before surgery, including dental surgery.
What are Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate) interactions?
Taking Toprol XL with some other medications can affect how the drugs work or increase the risk of severe side effects. Your physician may choose a different medication for you, change the dose or frequency of one or both medicines, and/or monitor you carefully for side effects if there are known drug interactions between Toprol XL and your other medicines.
Toprol XL can have drug interactions with the following medications:
- Bupropion (Aplenzin, Forfivo, Wellbutrin, Zyban)
- Clonidine (Catapres)
- Cimetidine
- Ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra)
- Terbinafine (Lamisil)
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, Selfemra, in Symbyax)
- Reserpine
- Paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil, Pexeva)
- Quinidine
- Propafenone (Rythmol)
- Thioridazine
This list does not describe all possible Toprol XL interactions. Give your healthcare provider a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, vitamins, and natural or herbal products. Also, tell your healthcare provider if you smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription medications.
Pros & Cons
What are the pros and cons of Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate)?
- You only need to take Toprol XL once a day.
- This medication is selective to the heart and not the lungs. It is safer for use in people with asthma compared to other beta-blockers.
- It is the first choice treatment to prevent chest pain and long-term damage to the heart in patients with heart failure.
- Toprol XL can mask symptoms of hypoglycemia and hyperthyroidism.
- Beta-blockers like Toprol XL are not the first-choice medication to treat high blood pressure unless you have heart failure or heart disease.
- Suddenly stopping Toprol XL can lead to worsening chest pain and increase the risk of a heart attack.
Pharmacist Tips
Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate) tips from pharmacists
- Toprol XL can make you feel dizzy, especially when you first start taking it. Change positions slowly (lying to sitting or sitting to standing) to prevent falls.
- You can split or divide Toprol XL tablets, but you should not crush or chew them.
- Take your medicine at around the same time every day. This makes it easier to remember.
- Toprol XL will control high blood pressure and chest pain, but it will not cure these conditions. Do not stop taking the medication even if you feel well. Talk to your doctor before you stop Toprol XL.
Rx Savings Tips
Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate) Rx savings tips
Toprol XL is available in a generic version, metoprolol succinate, which can be significantly cheaper than the brand name version. Brand name Toprol XL and generic metoprolol succinate contain the same medicine and are equally effective and safe. Like with most medicines, the generic medicine offers better value for money. However, a BuzzRx Toprol XL coupon can result in significant savings on the brand-name drug. With a Toprol XL savings card, prices can be under $83.00 for 60 tablets of the 25 mg dose at participating pharmacies in the BuzzRx network.
Lowest Price for Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate) | |
| Brand $83.00 | Generic $11.96 |
VIEW DISCOUNTS Pricing based on most commonly-filled versions. Select the strength and quantity of your medication for the most accurate pricing. | |
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate)
What is the best time of day to take Toprol XL?Take Toprol XL with or immediately after a meal, preferably your morning meal. If Toprol XL makes you feel dizzy, it may help to take it at bedtime. Take your medication at around the same time every day to get the best effect and make it easier to remember. |
Does Toprol XL make you gain weight?
Weight gain is a possible side effect of beta-blockers, especially older beta-blockers like metoprolol succinate (Toprol XL). However, this side effect is not common. |
Does Toprol XL make you urinate a lot?
No, Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate) does not make you urinate a lot. However, if you take a combination product that contains metoprolol succinate and a diuretic (water pill) such as hydrochlorothiazide (for example, Dutoprol), it can make you urinate more than usual. |
What’s the difference between Toprol XL and Lopressor?Toprol XL contains metoprolol succinate, while Lopressor contains metoprolol tartrate-- these are different salts of the same medication. Lopressor is an immediate-release tablet, and you need to take it several times a day. Toprol XL is an extended-release (long-acting) tablet, and you need to take it only once a day. |
How long does it take Toprol XL to work?Toprol XL starts working in 1-2 hours, but it can take up to one week for you to get the full benefits of this medicine. Tell your doctor if your blood pressure does not improve after a week of being on Toprol XL. If it works well, continue taking the medicine even if you feel well. Toprol XL will control your blood pressure, but it will not cure your condition. |
What is the price of Toprol XL without insurance?Without insurance, Toprol XL can be as high as $113.95, but with a free BuzzRx prescription discount coupon, you could pay as low as $12.31 for the most common version of this medication. Use the BuzzRx drug price look-up tool to find the lowest discounted price and enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity for the most accurate pricing. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescriptions—whether you have insurance or not. |
What is the price of Toprol XL with insurance?Ask your pharmacist or insurance provider for your copay price on Toprol XL—copay amounts vary depending on the type of insurance plan you have and if there is a deductible to reach before prescription drug coverage begins. You could save up to 80% on your prescription medication with a free BuzzRx discount coupon for Toprol XL. When using the BuzzRx lookup tool to find the price of your medication, be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity to receive the most accurate discounted pricing. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescriptions—whether you have insurance or not. |
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