Lopressor
(metoprolol tartrate)
Lowers blood pressure and controls heart rate.
Our bottom line
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.
- Drug class: Cardiovascular
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (metoprolol tartrate)
Upsides
- 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.
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What to expect from Lopressor, on one page
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464Downsides
- 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.
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What to expect from Lopressor, on one page
Download Fact SheetLopressor (metoprolol tartrate) is a beta blocker. It lowers blood pressure by slowing your heart rate, relaxing blood vessels, and lowering the body's fight-or-flight response.
- Drug class: Cardiovascular
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (metoprolol tartrate)
Dosage forms
- Pill
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.
Pay as low as$3.19Retail priceRetail priceLearn more- Get free discount
$5.00 - CostcoGet free coupon$7.92
- AlbertsonsGet free coupon$8.37
What to expect when you take Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate) for Reducing chest pain
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Starts to kick inFull effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Low heart rate
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
- Diarrhea
- Breathing problems
Side effect rates for Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate)
- Tiredness10%10%
- Dizziness10%10%
- Depression5%5%
- Diarrhea5%5%
- Itching or skin rash5%5%
- Shortness of breath3%3%
- Slowed heart rate3%3%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Lopressor.
People taking Lopressor felt side effect more
People taking Lopressor felt side effect less
Risks and Warnings for Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › Suddenly stopping Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate)
- › Coronary artery disease
Stopping Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate) suddenly can cause an irregular fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, poor blood circulation to your heart, and increase your risk of chest pain or heart attack. Work with your doctor to gradually reduce your dose over time if you'd like to stop taking Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate).
This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.
Pharmacist Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this drug for?
This medication treats angina pectoris (chest pain).Common concerns from people taking Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?Research studies with animals found harmful effects on unborn babies. It hasn’t been properly studied in humans. The benefits might outweigh the risks even if you’re pregnant. Talk with your doctor.
Tip: Always talk with your doctor before you take any medication while pregnant.- You need to take Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate) with food twice a day for it to work best.
- Makes pain episodes less frequent and makes it easier to be active without having chest pain.
- Worth itLow hassleReviewed Lopressoron 4/20/2017I love this medication. I've taken it for over 10 years for high blood pressure and it is great. I did feel tired (and also gained a little weight, because I think it might slow down one's metabolism) for the first few months, but once I got used to it that went away.62WomanTwo years or moreHigh blood pressure