Health Centres - Lopresor
How does it work?
Metoprolol belongs to a group of medicines called beta-blockers, which block beta receptors in the heart, lungs and other organs of the body. Blocking these receptors prevents the action of two chemicals called noradrenaline and adrenaline that occur naturally in the body. These are often referred to as the 'fight or flight' chemicals as they are responsible for the body's reaction to stressful situations.
What is it used for?
-
Angina pectoris
-
Heart attack
-
High blood pressure
- Irregular heart beats (arrhythmias)
-
Prevention of migraines
-
Thyrotoxicosis
Warning!
- This medicine may mask the symptoms of low blood sugar such as increased heart rate, tremor and nausea. People with diabetes should carefully monitor their blood sugar.
- You should not suddenly stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
- If you should require local or general anaesthesia, it is important that you inform your anaesthetist you are taking this medicine.
Use with caution in
- Defect of the heart's electrical message pathways resulting in decreased function of the heart (heart block)
- Diabetes
- Elderly people
- History of allergies
- History of asthma or wheezing
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Pre-surgical management of adrenal gland tumours (phaeochromocytoma), but only in combination with an alpha blocking medicine
- Psoriasis
Not to be used in
- A problem common in the elderly, related to poor control of the working of the heart (sick sinus syndrome)
- Allergy to beta-blockers
-
Angina not well controlled by medical treatment
-
Blockage of arteries in the extremities
- Defect of the heart's electrical message pathways resulting in decreased function of the heart (heart block)
- Failure of the heart to maintain adequate circulation of blood (cardiogenic shock)
-
Heart failure
- Increased acid levels in the blood (metabolic acidosis)
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Tumour of the adrenal gland (phaeochromocytoma)
- Very slow heart rate (severe bradycardia)
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- This medicine should not be used in pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- This medicine should be used with caution by breastfeeding mothers, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Label warnings
- Do not stop taking this medication except on your doctor's advice.
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