I was just placed on yet another bp med, Toprol. Is anyone familiar with the side effects? I realize medications don't affect everyone the same way, but 100mg./day seems excessive to me. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/frown.gif

~Terra Firma~

Terra Firma-
Regarding side-effects: Some people get very fatigued or dizzy, especially if their blood pressure and pulse rate are reduced too much. People with asthma may get more wheezy because beta-blockers can affect the lungs. In fact beta blockers usually shouldn't be given to asthmatics or people with lung disorders at all unless all other options have been tried first.
If the circulation is slowed too much, some people get ankle swelling and night-time breathlessness. Cold fingers and toes have been reported ( called Raynaud's Phenomena)...and some men can experience impotence.

Inform your doctor about any of these side-effects. It may be possible to reduce the dosage, alter the type of beta-blocker or change to a different form of medication. Beta blockers should only be stopped on medical advice and under supervision. Sudden withdrawal can cause a dangerous increase in blood pressure and angina.

As far as dosage is concerned, the usual starting dose is 50 or 100 mg, so it's not that excessive.

zuzu xxx

It made me feel freezing about 1-2 hrs. after taking it. It also made my legs feel heavy during excercise. I really enjoyed my stomach growling every morning as well. Gotta love the side-effects.

Thanks, Zuzu, and Blue Island for the info. Although hypertension runs in my family, I was not diagnosed with it until I turned 50. Coincidence because of age? I have always been on the slim side, 5'6", 124#, exercise religiously, and do my own baking (whole wheat bread etc.)and cooking, monitoring the sodium in the recipes. I am a lite smoker and have an occasional glass of wine. I do believe that age as well as stress and genetics are a major factor, but I am beginning to feel like a guinea pig, as none of the prescriptions seem effective. The Toprol XL is in addition to Uniretic, an ace inhibitor/diuretic. Thanks for the response. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif
~Terra Firma~

HI..I had similar symptoms..as if u are falling asleep for s second and wake up..and then as if someone thres a cloud around my thoughts..then had to go to 25 mg from 50 mg to tolerate..

TerraFirma,

With three classes of BP meds you can expect all kinds of side effects. Probably the most annoying will be the near universal ACE couch from the uniretic. Have bananas and orange juice to avoid hypokalemia from the thiazide and which cause muscle weakness.

The Toprol will add to muscle weakness, fatigue, weight gain. Look for sex to become as exciting as a long walk uphill. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

These meds are SUCH a joy.

As I posted previously I was on Toprol XL 50 for about a year, then had all kinds of problems late summer (see my postings for more detail), still not sure 100% if its the toprol, but when I went down to 25 I felt much better, had more appetite also. Only problem is in tapering off when I went to every other day ( skip a dose ) I started feeling bad again. In my case I won't know for sure because it could be bad PMS which I don't usually get but have been thru alot or maybe something new for me Anxiety!!. I am still struggling with this and trying to not make myself nuts. I traffic a few other boards since this happened and a few other people have replied they felt they suffered withdrawal symptoms.

Below is a comment from another board from another user of Toprol.

"I was traking Toprol xl and switched to Atenenol, both 25mg. I was on them for 2 months. My Dr. took me off of them cold turkey. After the second night off of them I woke up sweating, shaking, feeling jittery and anxious. I felt like I was going through withdrawl. I think everyone is different. If it is the meds. I had several nights of problems. The meds had caused me low blood pressure which I still had 2 weeks after stopping the meds. I had many nights where I could feel my BP dropping. Like I had said, I only took them for a couple of months, but I think it took about 4 weeks until I felt that I was free from all side effects. "

Still struggling to be normal again, its very hard with 3 kids.

Sil