What You Need to Know About Toprol
Toprol is frequently prescribed – for high blood pressure, angina, and even for migraine headaches. But did you know that Toprol could be contributing to your lack of interest or inability to have sex?
What is Toprol?
Toprol (Metoprolol) is a medication marketed by Par Pharmaceutical for treating high blood pressure (hypertension) and chest pain (angina). It is in a class of drugs called beta blockers. Beta blockers work by blocking the effects of the hormone epinephrine, which is also known as adrenaline. When adrenaline is blocked in your system, your heart beats more slowly and with less force.1
Toprol is tested and prescribed for high blood pressure, angina and the prevent strokes or heart attacks in at-risk patients. It is sometimes prescribed “off label”2 to treat migraines or anxiety.
Does Toprol work?
For many people, Toprol has the effect of reducing heart rate and blood pressure. Studies have found that beta blockers may be less effective for black people than for other races. It’s not recommended treatment if you have asthma, because it can make your asthma worse. And it’s also not recommended if you have diabetes, because it could hide symptoms of low blood sugar, such as a racing heart beat.3
What should I ask my doctor about before I decide to start taking Toprol?
Toprol has some side effects that you might want to avoid. The most common side effects include feeling anxious, dryness of the mouth, indigestion, trouble achieving an orgasm, loss of interest in sex or inability to have sex.
Toprol may also cause you to gain weight, or to have difficulty losing weight.4
Serious side effects that have been reported include feeling dizzy or weak, passing out, trouble breathing, shortness of breath, changes in mood or behavior, feeling confused or depressed, hallucinating and loss of memory.
If Toprol doesn’t work correctly for you, you could also experience worsened symptoms of heart failure or chest pain.5
What can I do if I am worried about Toprol?
Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about the medications that you are being prescribed, or if you start to experience any side effects from them, including Toprol. You may be able to change to a medication that is more comfortable or effective for you. Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, increasing your exercise or finding other means of relaxation may also be something that your doctor will advise. If you are already taking Toprol, do not stop taking it without consulting with your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking Toprol, you could develop side effects of further chest pain, abnormal heart beats or heart attack.
Learn everything that you can about Toprol before you start taking it.
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1 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/beta-blockers/HI00059
2 “Off label” means that your doctor is prescribing a medication to treat a condition, but that treatment has not been tested in clinical trials. The drug might be effective to treat your condition, but there are no scientific studies as yet that demonstrate whether or not that is the case.
3 Ibid.
4 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/beta-blockers/AN01409
5 http://www.bad-drug.net/bad-drug/toprol