Lopressor: Mild to serious side effects and how to manage them

Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate) is a brand-name oral tablet that’s prescribed for high blood pressure and certain heart conditions. As with other drugs, Lopressor can cause side effects, such as sleepiness, dizziness, or diarrhea.

Lopressor can be used in certain adults to treat high blood pressure and angina (a type of chest pain related to heart disease). It’s also prescribed to decrease the risk of complications after a heart attack. In some cases, Lopressor may be prescribed along with other medications to best manage your condition.

Lopressor belongs to a drug class called beta-blockers. The drug is available in a generic version.

Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects of Lopressor. For a general overview of the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

Lopressor can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Lopressor in clinical trials:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Lopressor use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Lopressor’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Lopressor include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Lopressor and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below. † To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Lopressor may cause serious side effects. However, serious side effects of Lopressor aren’t common. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Lopressor’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Lopressor, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below. † Lopressor has a boxed warning for this side effect. This is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below. ‡ To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Lopressor may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Yes, Lopressor is likely safe for older adults (ages 65 years and older) to take. In clinical trials, older adults and younger adults didn’t report different side effects.

However, older adults may have an increased risk of side effects from Lopressor. This is because they may be more likely to have another medical condition or take another medication that can interact with Lopressor. For more information about these conditions, see “Precautions for Lopressor” below.

If you’re an older adult with concerns about Lopressor’s side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

It’s possible. Lopressor’s 50-milligram (mg) tablets may cause fewer side effects than the 100-mg tablets. This is because lower doses contain less active drug than higher ones. For this reason, side effects may be less likely to occur with lower doses.

If you have concerns about side effects from Lopressor, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Lopressor may cause, including its boxed warning. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Lopressor.

Lopressor has a boxed warning for the risk of ischemic heart disease. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts patients and prescribers about the risks of a medication.

Ischemic heart disease (damage to your heart from reduced blood flow) can happen when people with heart disease suddenly stop taking Lopressor. Symptoms of ischemic heart disease can include chest pain (especially after physical activity), fainting, or shortness of breath.

If you want to stop taking Lopressor, talk with your doctor first. Never adjust your treatment plan on your own.

If you have ischemic heart disease, your doctor will likely reduce your Lopressor dose slowly over 1–2 weeks. During this time, they’ll monitor your condition closely for symptoms of new or worsening side effects.

It’s possible to experience weight gain during treatment with Lopressor. However, in the drug’s clinical trials, this side effect was rare.

In some cases, weight gain may also be a symptom of other side effects of Lopressor. These other side effects may include depression or heart failure.

Weight gain was reported only in people taking Lopressor for high blood pressure or angina. It wasn’t reported as a side effect in people taking Lopressor after a heart attack.

If you experience weight gain that’s bothersome during your treatment with Lopressor, talk with your doctor. They can help determine what may be causing this side effect.

If Lopressor is causing your weight gain, your doctor may recommend that you stop taking the drug. In this case, they can recommend a different treatment option for your condition.

If weight gain results from another Lopressor side effect, your doctor will recommend the best treatment plan for you.

It’s possible to experience vomiting during treatment with Lopressor. In the drug’s clinical trials, vomiting was a commonly reported side effect.

However, it was only reported in people taking Lopressor for high blood pressure or angina. Vomiting wasn’t reported as a side effect in people taking Lopressor after a heart attack.

If you experience vomiting with Lopressor, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ways to help manage this side effect, such as taking Lopressor with food. This may decrease the risk of nausea and vomiting.

It’s possible to develop a headache from taking Lopressor. In clinical trials, this side effect occurred in people taking the drug for any approved condition. However, it was not common.

If you experience severe or bothersome headaches during your treatment with Lopressor, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ways to manage this side effect. For example, they may suggest taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen).

Lopressor may cause a slow heart rate, also known as bradycardia. In Lopressor’s clinical trials, this side effect occurred in people taking the drug for any approved condition. In some cases, a slowed heart rate may be serious.

Symptoms of a slow heart rate may include:

If you develop any of the above symptoms during treatment, tell your doctor right away. They can run tests to check your heart rate. If your heart rate becomes too low, your doctor may lower your dosage of Lopressor. In some cases, they may recommend a different treatment option for you.

As with most drugs, Lopressor can cause an allergic reaction in some people. In clinical trials, this side effect was common.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Lopressor. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Tell your doctor about any medical conditions that you have or any medications that you take before starting Lopressor. They will help make sure that Lopressor is a safe treatment option for you.

Boxed warning

This drug has a boxed warning for the risk of ischemic heart disease. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about the risks of a medication. For more information about the risk of ischemic heart disease, see the “Side effect specifics” section.

Other precautions

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Lopressor. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Certain heart problems. Before taking Lopressor,tell your doctor about any heart problems that you have. In certain cases, Lopressor may not be safe for you to take. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have a condition affecting your heart, such as heart attack, sinus bradycardia, or heart failure. They can help determine whether Lopressor may be a safe treatment option for you.

Surgery. If you’re having surgery before or during treatment with Lopressor, be sure to tell your doctor. It’s also important to tell your surgical team about any medications you take. Lopressor may cause an unstable blood pressure if you take it before surgery. Your doctor and care team can help determine the best treatment options for you.

Lung conditions. Before taking Lopressor, tell your doctor if you have any lung conditions, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). You may have a higher risk of breathing problems with Lopressor, such as shortness of breath or wheezing. Your doctor can help determine whether Lopressor is safe for you.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Lopressor or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Lopressor. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Diabetes. Before taking Lopressor, tell your doctor if you have diabetes or unmanaged high blood sugar. Lopressor may make it difficult to notice certain symptoms of high blood sugar, such as an increased heart rate. If you have diabetes, your doctor may recommend monitoring your blood sugar more frequently during Lopressor treatment.

Pheochromocytoma. A pheochromocytoma is a rare type of adrenal tumor. If you have this condition, taking Lopressor may cause an unexpected increase in blood pressure. If you have a pheochromocytoma, talk with your doctor before you start taking Lopressor. They will likely prescribe another medication in combination with Lopressor to manage your blood pressure.

Overactive thyroid. If you have hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid), talk with your doctor before starting treatment with Lopressor. The drug may make it harder to notice symptoms of an overactive thyroid, such as an increased heart rate. In this case, your doctor can help determine whether Lopressor is safe for you to take.

There are no known interactions between Lopressor and alcohol.

However, Lopressor and alcohol may cause certain similar side effects. These side effects may include:

Drinking alcohol during treatment with Lopressor may worsen these side effects. In addition, drinking alcohol can also affect your blood pressure. (Lopressor is prescribed to treat high blood pressure in certain adults.)

If you drink alcohol and have questions about drinking it while taking Lopressor, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

It’s not known whether Lopressor is safe to take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

There isn’t enough information to know whether Lopressor is safe to take during pregnancy. Animal studies show that Lopressor may increase the risk of pregnancy loss. However, animal studies don’t always predict what may happen in humans.

Lopressor is present in breast milk. However, it’s not known how this may affect a child who’s breastfed.

If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning for either, talk with your doctor before taking Lopressor.

You may experience side effects from taking Lopressor. While most side effects of this drug are mild, it’s still important to be aware of possible serious side effects.

If you’d like to learn more about Lopressor, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.