Lopressor

Other Names: Metoprolol, Toprol.

Commonly Prescribed For: Lopressor is can be used alone or can be combined with other drugs for treating high blood pressure. It is used to prevent chest pain and helps in treating heart attack.

How to Take it: Lopressor is available in the form of a tablet, an extended-release tablet to be taken via mouth. The extended-release tablet is normally taken once every day. The regular tablet is regularly taken once or two times every day with meals. Do not chew or crush the long-acting tablets, instead swallow the tablet completely.

How it Works: Lopressor belongs to a group of drugs known as beta blockers. It slows down the heart rate and hence relaxes blood vessels, allowing the heart to pump very hard.

Some Side Effects: Common side effects include dizziness, runny nose, tiredness, cold hands and feet, depression, rash, nausea, constipation, dry mouth, constipation, stomach pain, itching, lightheadedness, heartburn and vomiting. Some serious side effects include shortness of breath, irregular heartburn, wheezing, fainting, inflammation of the hands or lower legs and abnormal weight gain.