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Lopressor (metoprolol) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat several heart conditions, depending on the dosage form.
These insights are based on 254 comments about Lopressor from MyHeartDiseaseTeam members. These are the experiences of a small number of people and are not meant to be medical advice.
Benefits:
Considerations:
Lopressor is a beta-blocker. It slows the heart rate and reduces how hard the heart has to work. In people with angina, this lowers the heart’s need for oxygen, which can reduce chest pain and improve exercise tolerance.
Doctors prescribe Lopressor when adults have high blood pressure or long-term angina, or when they have a definite or suspected heart attack and are hemodynamically stable. Hemodynamically stable means their blood pressure and blood flow are stable.
Lopressor comes as tablets and an oral solution. It should be taken with or immediately after food.
This information is based on prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.
Oral solution and 50-milligram or 100-milligram tablets
The recommended starting dose is 100 milligrams per day in two divided doses. A healthcare provider may increase the dose at weekly intervals based on symptom control, heart rate, and how well the medicine is tolerated.
The effective dose range is 100 milligrams to 400 milligrams per day. Doses above 400 milligrams per day have not been studied for angina.
Dosing depends on the Lopressor product.
Oral solution and 50-milligram or 100-milligram tablets
People who tolerate the full intravenous dose of metoprolol may start taking 50 milligrams by mouth every six hours. The first oral dose is given 15 minutes after the last intravenous dose and is continued for 48 hours. If this dose is not tolerated, it may be reduced to 25 milligrams every six hours for 48 hours.
The dose is then adjusted based on tolerability, with a maintenance dose of 100 milligrams twice daily.
12.5-milligram tablets
The recommended starting dose is 50 milligrams by mouth every six hours. If this dose is not tolerated, it may be reduced to 25 milligrams every six hours for 48 hours. The dose is then adjusted based on heart rate, blood pressure, and how well the medicine is tolerated, with a maximum maintenance dose of 100 milligrams twice daily.
Oral solution and 50-milligram or 100-milligram tablets
The recommended starting dose is 100 milligrams per day, taken as one dose or divided into smaller doses. A healthcare provider may adjust the dose at weekly or longer intervals based on blood pressure and how well the medicine is tolerated.
The effective dose range is 100 milligrams to 450 milligrams per day. Doses above 450 milligrams per day have not been studied. Some people may need a larger dose or more frequent dosing to keep their blood pressure controlled throughout the day.
These insights are based on 254 comments about Lopressor from MyHeartDiseaseTeam members.
Members who use Lopressor often say it helps to stay in close contact with a cardiologist, especially if symptoms change or side effects develop. Many also mention paying attention to heart rate, blood pressure, fatigue, dizziness, and how the medication fits into a broader treatment plan.
Ask your doctor about dose changes if your heart rate is too low.
“My doctor started me on Lopressor but later reduced the dose to 12.5 milligrams daily because my heart rate was too low.”
Keep track of blood pressure and pulse changes.
“My blood pressure was low in the morning shortly after I took my pills. My smartwatch also alerts me when my pulse drops. I do not feel any symptoms, and my cardiologist says the readings are normal for me.”
Ask about the right form and instructions if anything is unclear.
“I was told to take two 25-milligram tablets twice a day. My discharge papers say to take half a tablet twice a day, but the bottle says to take one tablet once a day.”
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In clinical studies of Lopressor, side effects varied based on the condition being treated and the study. Common side effects included:
Lopressor can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:
Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.
Validus Pharmaceuticals offers the Lopressor Liquid Innovation With Care Patient Support Program for Lopressor Oral Solution. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $10 for a 30-day supply of the oral solution. The copay offer is not available to people whose prescriptions are reimbursed through federal, state, or other government-funded insurance programs.
The program also offers a reduced-cost option for eligible people whose commercial insurance does not cover Lopressor Oral Solution and a Patient Assistance Program for eligible uninsured people.
To learn more, visit the Lopressor Liquid Innovation With Care Patient Support Program or call 877-384-1417.
Do not take Lopressor if you are allergic to metoprolol or any ingredient in the product.
Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Some medicines can increase the risk of a very slow heart rate when taken with Lopressor. These include clonidine, digoxin, diltiazem, and verapamil.
Fluoxetine, paroxetine, quinidine, and propafenone may increase the amount of metoprolol in your body.
Before taking Lopressor, tell your doctor if you:
Do not take Lopressor if you have:
Take Lopressor regularly and exactly as prescribed. Do not stop taking it suddenly because chest pain can worsen, and a heart attack may occur. If treatment needs to be stopped, your doctor will usually lower the dose gradually over one to two weeks and monitor you.
If you miss a dose, take only your next scheduled dose. Do not take two doses at once.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Metoprolol crosses the placenta, and a baby exposed during pregnancy may need monitoring after birth for low blood pressure, low blood sugar, a slow heart rate, or breathing problems.
Metoprolol is also present in breast milk. A breastfed baby may need monitoring for a slow heart rate or other signs of beta-blocker effects.
These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.
How effective is Lopressor for heart conditions?
In controlled studies, Lopressor lowered blood pressure at daily doses of 100 milligrams to 450 milligrams. For angina, daily doses of 100 milligrams to 400 milligrams reduced chest pain attacks and improved exercise tolerance.
In a study of 1,395 people with a definite or suspected heart attack, Lopressor lowered the risk of death within three months by 36 percent. Treatment began a median of eight hours after symptoms started. Fewer cases of ventricular fibrillation, a dangerous abnormal heart rhythm, and chest pain were also seen after the initial intravenous treatment.
How long does Lopressor take to work for heart conditions?
Lopressor begins to have a significant beta-blocking effect within one hour after an oral dose. How long the effect lasts depends on the dose. The time needed to see the full benefit may vary based on the condition being treated.
Can Lopressor cause tiredness, dizziness, or shortness of breath in people with heart disease?
Yes. In clinical trials of people treated for high blood pressure or angina, tiredness and dizziness occurred in about 10 percent of participants. Shortness of breath and a slow heart rate occurred in about 3 percent, while wheezing and trouble breathing occurred in about 1 percent.
Get medical advice if you develop new or worsening breathing problems while taking Lopressor.
On MyHeartDiseaseTeam, people share their experiences with heart disease, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
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