Lopressor

Lopressor Warnings, Uses and Contraindications

Lopressor is an oral medication that is taken alone or with other meds to treat hypertension or high blood pressure. Its effect helps patients prevent heart attacks, kidney issues and strokes.

Besides, this medicine is also taken to treat angina or chest pain and improve survival rates after heart attacks.

Lopressor (Metoprolol) belongs to a group of meds called beta blockers, and it works by blocking the actions of such natural neurotransmitters as epinephrine on blood vessels and heart. Its powerful effect helps people lower their blood pressure and heart rate.

Sometimes, this medication is also prescribed to treat such health conditions as heart failure, irregular heartbeats, tremors, migraines, etc.

Important Lopressor Warnings

It’s not allowed to stop this treatment without consulting with doctors because some conditions may get worse if you do it. For example, you may experience such unwanted effects as chest pain, irregular heartbeats, etc.

When doctors decide that you no longer need to use Lopressor, you will be directed to gradually reduce your regular doses for 1-2 weeks. It’s also advisable to limit physical activities during this period to avoid any strain on your heart.

If you notice the following signs, you need to get medical help at once:

• Difficulty breathing and unusual sweating;
• Chest tightness, pain and pressure;
• Irregular and fast heartbeats.

How to Use Lopressor

This medication should be taken orally, with or without food, 1-3 times a day. The right dosage must be based on your response and medical condition.

To decrease possible risks of having side effects, patients need to start taking Lopressor in lower doses that can be gradually increased later. To treat hypertension effectively, it takes a few weeks before users get the full benefit of this treatment.

To prevent such symptoms as migraines and chest pain, ensure that you take Lopressor regularly, because it’s not intended to be used on a needed basis.

Possible Lopressor Side Effects

Like other medications, Lopressor may cause specific side effects, including:

• Unusual tiredness and diarrhea;
• Dizziness and drowsiness;
• Slow heartbeats and reduced sexual ability.

These symptoms are often mild, but if they worsen or persist, call your doctor at once. To decrease your risk of lightheadedness and dizziness, users need to get up slowly from any lying or sitting positions.

This medication may decrease the blood flow to their feet and hands, thus, causing them to be cold, and regular smoking only worsens this effect. You should avoid smoking and try to dress warmly to prevent it.

When taking Lopressor, serious side effects are rare, but they all require medical help:

• Fainting and severe dizziness;
• Difficulty breathing and severe tiredness;
• Slow heartbeats and shortness of breath;
• Blue toes and fingers;
• Sudden weight gain and allergies;
• Mood and mental changes.

Basic Lopressor Contraindications

Before starting this treatment, patients need to inform their doctors if they have any possible allergies and such serious health conditions as specific heart rhythm issues, breathing complications, blood circulation problems, liver and kidney conditions, mood and mental disorders, muscle diseases, diabetes, etc.

The consumption of alcoholic beverages should be limited and blood sugar levels should be monitored regularly.

Don’t combine Lopressor with specific meds, including SSRI antidepressants, NSAIDs and others because of possible drug interactions and increased side effects.