Compare Propranolol vs. Lopressor
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Lowers blood pressure and controls heart rate.
Inderal (Propranolol) is good for treating many heart problems and other problems in the body, but it has more side effects than other beta blockers. You can't miss doses.
●●●●●
3.9/ 5 average rating with 61 reviewsforPropranolol
Lowers blood pressure and controls heart rate.
Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate) lowers high blood pressure, controls chest pain, and helps treat heart failure and heart attack. You need to take it with food and can't miss a dose.
●●●●●
3.7/ 5 average rating with 464 reviewsforLopressor
Upsides
- A first-choice treatment to prevent chest pain (angina).
- A first-choice treatment for heart failure, heart attack, heart valve disorders, and abnormal heart rhythm.
- Also treats and prevents many non-heart problems, such as tremors, anxiety, migraines, and liver disease symptoms.
- A first-choice treatment to prevent chest pain (angina).
- Makes pain episodes less frequent and makes it easier to be active without having chest pain.
- A first-choice treatment for people who've had a heart attack.
- Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate) lowers the risk of death during and after a heart attack.
- Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate) is cheaper than the extended release version.
Downsides
- Taking a beta blocker might make you feel more tired or out of breath during exercise or normal daily routines. This gets better for most people, but for some might not go away.
- Has more side effects than some beta blockers because it crosses into the brain and central nervous system.
- Not a first-choice treatment for high blood pressure according to the latest guidelines, except if you have heart failure or heart disease. As a second choice, your doctor might add it to medicines you're already taking if your blood pressure is still too high.
- Can hide symptoms of low blood sugar if you're diabetic.
- You can't miss doses. Stopping Propranolol suddenly can cause your blood pressure to go up suddenly, which raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- You need to take Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate) with food twice a day for it to work best.
- Taking Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate) may make you feel more tired or out of breath during exercise or your normal daily routines. This gets better for most people, but for some it may not go away.
- Not a first-choice treatment for high blood pressure, unless you have heart failure or heart disease. It can also be added to other medicines if your blood pressure is still too high.
- Can hide symptoms of low blood sugar if you're diabetic.
- You can't miss doses. Stopping Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate) suddenly can cause your blood pressure to go up suddenly, which raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Used for
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Extended release
- Liquid
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$13.40
Find instant savings near youLowest price
$4.00
Find instant savings near youWant to save even more money?
Sign up now for a 30-day trial and save up to 95% at CVS, Kroger, Albertsons, and other pharmacies.
Learn more
Reviews
61 reviews so far
66%
saidit'sworth it
62%
saiditworked well
15%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Inderal (Propranolol)?
Leave a review464 reviews so far
62%
saidit'sworth it
47%
saiditworked well
15%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
7possible side effects
- Tiredness10%
- Dizziness10%
- Depression5%
- Diarrhea5%
- Itching or skin rash5%
- Shortness of breath3%
- Slowed heart rate3%
Risks and risk factors
- Increased chest pain or risk of heart attack
- Suddenly stopping Inderal (Propranolol)
- Heart failure
- Increased risks during surgery
- Major surgery requiring anesthesia
- Masked symptoms of low blood sugar
- Diabetes
- Masked symptoms of overactive thyroid
- Low blood pressure
- Concurrent use of non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, digoxin or clonidine
- Serious skin reactions
- Heart problems
- Suddenly stopping Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate)
- Coronary artery disease
- Masked symptoms of low blood sugar
- Diabetes
- Masked symptoms of overactive thyroid
- Increased symptoms of heart failure
- Heart failure
- Increased risks during surgery
- Major surgery requiring anesthesia
- Breathing problems
- Asthma
- COPD