Toprol XL and Verapamil? - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

Nitehawk · 06-03-2004, 12:36 PM

I've been on 200mg of Toprol XL for two years now and it isn't doing very well at controlling my BP. It also makes me very tired and apathetic. My GP also has me on 120mg of Verapamil. When I told her the Toprol wasn't working and made me feel bad she then wanted to increase my dosage to 300mg a day. I will not do that. I now read that Verapamil and Beta Blockers don't mix well? I go in to see my Heart Doctor 6/15 and we will have a talk about all of this.
Anyone have any thoughts or experience with Toprol mixed with Verapamil?
Thanks,
Nitehawk

CASSIEBEL · 06-03-2004, 03:46 PM

These two drugs both lower heartrate. I was on Atenolol (a Bata Blocker simular to Toprol) and Verapamil ( A Calcium Channel Blocker) Dr.s don't like to use these two together because together they may slow the heartrate so slow that it could become a problem. Why don't you ask the dr. to up the Verapamil to 240 and lower the Toprol. Verapamil loweres BP better than a Bata Blocker (so my dr. said) Unless there is a reason you need the high dose of Toprol. I'm sure you know there are also many other BP meds avalable to try.
Some times Dr.s have a hard time understanding how hard it is to cope with these side affects. They are only interested in lowering the BP.
Good Luck!
Cassiebel

jtu91952 · 06-03-2004, 04:40 PM

I was on toprol xl 100mg and verapamil 240 mg. My gp also would not listen, so i went to my endo. I am now on 240 mg of verapamil, and stop the toprol. Toprol caused me to have so many back side effects that i just could not cope. I now take verapamil, hctz, avapro. So far, i am doing much better and my bp has finally stablized. Bp when i was on toprol xl was 170/75. It is now about 120-125 /60-70. But most of all I do not have any muscle pain, tiredness or any other side effect. I agree with Cassibel, may you should see if the verapamil can be increased. Good luck.

CASSIEBEL · 06-03-2004, 05:43 PM

jtu91952 - Hi
I was wondering, when you got off the Toprol, did you have any problems such as rebound hypertension or tachycardia? I would love to get off atenolol but am afraid of the consequences.
BYE

Cassiebel

Nitehawk · 06-03-2004, 11:37 PM

Thank you for the replies.

I have the same question about Toprol. I have weaned myself down to 100mg a day plus the 120mg of Verapamil and my BP is about the same if not maybe a little better.

I usually take 100mg of Toprol in the morning around 6:30 or 7:00. Last week I didn't take it and by 1 PM I felt it. Sort of a shakey nervous feeling also my heart beat seemed very strong but BP was 170/90 pulse 70. I was at work and had a few Toprol in my desk, took 100mg and within 30 minutes everything calmed down. Hopefully I can wean myself down to 50mg and then switch over to verapamil or something else.
Thanks again.

Nitehawk