Was rather shocked when getting my Toprol XL refilled. There is now generic Toprol XL available :) . Metaprolol ER. My insurance automatically switched me over to the generic.

Save yourself some cash - next time you get a refill ask to be switched to the generic.

Good,
The product is sorely needed.

Watch next week Astra-Zeneca will come out with something called Toprol-XL-HCT (with thiazide) at $2 a pill and all the doctors will dutifully start writing prescriptions for it like it's a new wonder drug.:dizzy:

An educated consumer is the consumer who walks away with a few dollars left in his pocket.:angel:

You mean like the Prilosec-Nexium switch, or perhaps the Claritin-Clarinex switch? I'm sure the forumulations were so dramatically different to warrant new patents (sarcasm emphasized). Yes, drug companies are playing games.

I'm just glad more people can now get the same meds generic.

Now if only Diovan would come off patent. Hopefully it will before I retire and lose health coverage.

What dosage of Toprol XL were you taking and how many times a day?

Walgreens told me that they carried a generic for the 25 mg Toprol XL but not the 50 mg that I take once a day in the morning.

I will ask about the Metaprolol ER the next time that I am in Walgreens. My BCBS health plan is good with low copays for generics.

I'm on 12.5mg so I get the 25mg and split it. And yes, I use Walgreens too. Hopefully they'll stock the 50mg soon so more can save.

Violet,

Those ARB's are patent-protected-pains!
The first angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) to lose patent protection will be Merck & Co.'s Cozaar (losartan) in Spain in 2007. In the US, Cozaar will lose protection in 2010. This event has the potential to not only dramatically affect the antihypertensive market, but alter its entire structure.

I wonder what is so special about SPAIN!

And for your case:
Valsartan, Diovan’s active ingredient, is covered
by a compound patent through 2012 in the US, and through 2011-13 in other markets.

Stinks!

I guess we'll start seeing internet ads for Spanish Cozaar soon? I'm afraid to order drugs that way though; I read as much as 50% of the drugs are bogus...thus, too much risk.

Trying to remember which magazine I saw it in, but I think it was Business Week. They did a random survery of on-line drug sites and found that most are peddling bad goods. I won't put my life on the line for some on-line vendor looking to make a quick buck (and I hope others on this site heed that warning).

It is a shame that some of the drugs that work best for some are so ridiculously expensive, but I must admit I'm glad someone invented them. If they hadn't, I would be on a host of drugs that not only made me miserable but didn't control my BP or made me miserable (did I say that already?).

I'll put up with the full price Diovan for a few more years, but I do regret that those who lack health insurance have to pay so much.

For those lucky ones that could deal with an ACEi, I envy you. :wave:

Be Careful If You Are Taking The Generic For Toprol Xl As It Is A 24 Hr Time Release And The Generic Metoprolol Is Immediate Release. I Was Taking Toprol Xl For Svt And Drugist Changed It To Generic Because Our Medical Plan Insisted . End Up In Er 3 Time Within A Month With 190 Heart Rate. Pharmacies Are Not Aware If Resaon You Are Taking Drug And Have No Right To Change Drug Without Dr. Ok.

Be Careful If You Are Taking The Generic For Toprol Xl As It Is A 24 Hr Time Release And The Generic Metoprolol Is Immediate Release. I Was Taking Toprol Xl For Svt And Drugist Changed It To Generic Because Our Medical Plan Insisted . End Up In Er 3 Time Within A Month With 190 Heart Rate. Pharmacies Are Not Aware If Resaon You Are Taking Drug And Have No Right To Change Drug Without Dr. Ok.

Any more information on generic for Toprol XL? How can generic be immediate release when Toprol XL is timed release? I have heard of strange things but this would be a HUGE difference. Comments?

TLB/kori,

Metoprolol is an OLD drug and has been generic since the FLOOD.
The discussion is about the slow release formulation that is patented by Astra Zeneca and whose poatent is expiring.
So the new generic will be the slow release formulation identical to TOPROL-XL except for the price.

I think it is a violation of common sense to make any slow acting version of a common drug patentable as a new "invention", but since the United States has the best judges money can buy, patented they ARE.;)

Lenin,

Thanks for the clarification. It's time for my refill and the pharmacy said that generic is now available. With my insurance it will save me $10 a month.

my hubby changed from toprol xl to generic and started feeling odd.has flushing and other things.he went back to the reg.it was worth paying for to not have the side effects