Lopresor Metoprolol tartrate

Lopresor Metoprolol tartrate

Geigy

Information for Patients
What you need to know about Lopresor tablets 50mg and 100mg

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to take your tablets. It contains important information about your tablets.

What's in your medicine

Lopresor tablets contain metoprolol tartrate. This is one of a group of medicines called beta-blockers. The tablets are available in two strengths containing 50mg or 100mg of metoprolol tartrate. They also contain the following inactive ingredients: cellulose, povidone, silicon dioxide, sodium starch glycollate, magnesium stearate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polysorbate, talc, titanium dioxide, red iron oxide (50mg tablets only), indigocarmine E132 (100mg tablets only).

Both the 50mg and 100mg tablets come in calendar packs containing 56 tablets.

Made by: Ciba Pharmaceuticals, Horsham, West Sussex. Product Licence Holder: Ciba-Geigy plc, Hulley Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire.

What this medicine is used for

Lopresor is used to treat a number of different conditions including:

high blood pressure	chest pain (angina)
some heart disorders, for example, heart attack or irregular heart beats.

Lopresor is also used as part of treatment for an overactive thyroid gland and to prevent migraine attacks.

Before taking your medicine

Are you allergic to metoprolol or any other beta-blockers?
Do you suffer from asthma or attacks of wheezing?
Do you suffer from any serious heart or blood vessel disorder which your doctor does not know about?
Do you have a very low pulse rate (less than 50-55 beats per minute)?

If the answer to any of these questions is YES, do not take the tablets without talking to your doctor again.

Do you suffer from bronchitis or any similar disorder?
Are you diabetic and taking insulin or anti-diabetic tablets?
Do you have an overactive thyroid gland?
Do you suffer from any serious liver or kidney disease?
Are you pregnant or breast feeding?

If the answer to any of these questions is YES, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Are you taking any of the following:

Medicines for high blood pressure or heart problems which your doctor does not know about?

Medicines for depression?

Medicines for migraine which contain ergotamine?

Cimetidine (an ulcer medicine), indomethacin (a pain-killer) or rifampicin (a medicine for tuberculosis)?

Medicines bought from the chemist, especially antihistamines or cold remedies?

Any other medicines which your doctor does not know about?

If the answer to any of these questions is YES, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Other special warnings

Be careful when drinking alcohol - it may affect you more than usual.

If you feel dizzy or sleepy when you start to take these tablets, do not drive or work machinery until these effects have worn off.

If you are going to have a general anaesthetic, tell the doctor or dentist in charge that you are taking Lopresor.
If you are diabetic, take particular care with your blood sugar control since this medicine may make you less aware of low blood sugar levels.
Lopresor is not suitable for children.
The 100mg tablets also contain indigocarmine (E132) and may be unsuitable for some people.

Taking your medicine

It is important to take your tablets at the right times. You must take them as instructed by your doctor Read the label on your tablets carefully, it will tell you when to take them. The usual dosages are as follows:

High blood pressure The usual starting dose is 100mg a day. This can be increased by your doctor if necessary.

Chest pain (angina) The usual dose is 50-100mg taken twice or three times a day.

For other conditions, the usual total daily dose is between 100 and 200mg. Your doctor will choose a suitable starting dose and monitor your progress.

If you are not sure how many tablets to take, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Swallow your tablets whole with a drink of water.
Do not stop taking your tablets suddenly as this may cause your condition to get worse. Ask your doctor first.
If you forget to take a dose, take it when you remember and then take your next dose at the usual time. However, it is important not to take two doses at the same time.
If you accidentally take too many Lopresor tablets, tell your doctor at once or contact your nearest hospital casualty department.

After taking your medicine

These tablets sometimes cause unwanted effects in some people. If you get any of the following tell your doctor:

Attacks of wheezing or feeling short of breath.
An irregular heart beat, either faster or slower than normal.
Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.
Skin rash, itching or bruising or increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.
Dry or sore eyes or problems with vision.

Other effects which may occur include:

Headache, dizziness, or unusual tiredness.

Upset stomach.

Painful joints or muscles.

Swelling of your ankles or feet.

Sleeplessness or nightmares.

Coldness, numbness or tingling in your hands and feet

These effects are often mild and may wear off after a few days' treatment. If they are severe or last for more than a few days, tell your doctor.

Very rarely, the following unwanted effects have been seen: weight gain, dry mouth, increased sweating, chest pain, hair loss, runny nose, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), hallucinations, mood changes, reduced sex drive.

You are most unlikely to get any of these, however, if you do, tell your doctor Also, if your tablets upset you in any other way, tell your doctor.

Storing your medicine

The expiry date for these tablets is given on the carton. Do not take the tablets after this date.
Keep your tablets in a dry place, out of reach of children. Return any unused tablets to your pharmacist.

REMEMBER: this medicine is for you. Only a doctor can prescribe it for you. Never give it to someone else. It may harm them even if they have the same symptoms as you.

The information in this leaflet applies only to Lopresor. This leaflet does not contain the complete information about your tablets. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.