switch metoprolol tartrate to metoprolol succinate

If switching 25 mg metoprolol, twice a day, to Topprol XL, once a day, should the Toprol XL be 50 mgs or 25 mgs? I am trying to figure out my new perscription before I fill it. The math just seems wrong. Thank you.

The math is right if you take the 50 MG toprol xl once a day......The toprol xl is extended release so you only have to take it once a day...so the math is correct

the walgreens prescription service and other distributors of the succinate form have run out of stock. My doctor presecribed the tartarte twice a day refering to it as the 'generic' form.

Is anyone aware of concerns I should be conscious of with this switch?

ETHEX Corporation Issues Nationwide Voluntary Recall of Products
Contact:
Ann McBride
1-800-748-1472

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - St. Louis, Jan. 28, 2009 – ETHEX Corporation, a subsidiary of KV Pharmaceutical (NYSE: KVa/KVb), is issuing, as previously disclosed by KV Pharmaceutical Company on January 26, 2009, a nationwide voluntary recall of the products identified below (all lots within their expiration dates) at a wholesale or a retail level as a precautionary measure because they may have been manufactured under conditions that did not sufficiently comply with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs). Some of these products have had specific lots recalled earlier due to defects found, including oversized tablets delivering higher than labeled doses. These additional products are being removed to assure that no other defective products remain in the marketplace.

Patients who may have these medicines in their possession should continue to take them in accordance with their prescriptions, as the risk of suddenly stopping needed medication may place patients at risk. Patients should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using these products, or to obtain replacement medications or prescriptions.

I took 100mg Toprol for 3 years until my insurance company switched it in the fall to generic metoprolol. When I picked up my latest prescription it was no longer the slow release pill, but a dosage for 2 pills of 50mg daily. I started reading about the recall and discussed with my doctor who changed me to Atenolol, a 100mg once per day dosage. Has anyone had a similar experience?

Deborah - the same thing happened (all of it) to me. I didn't even know about the "recall". I was just told by my pharmacy - Walgreens - that the metoprolol was on back order, which I thought was odd. I just started taking the tartrate (fast release) pills today - was taking the slow release until then. I thought I would search online to see what their differences were - since I was told just how the medicine is released is the only difference. I don't think they gave me the correct info and they did NOT tell me about the recall (which I'm going to be researching next). I'm thinking about calling my doctors office to see if they want to switch my prescription to something else as I don't trust the pharmacy anymore.

deborah wrote:

I took 100mg Toprol for 3 years until my insurance company switched it in the fall to generic metoprolol. When I picked up my latest prescription it was no longer the slow release pill, but a dosage for 2 pills of 50mg daily. I started reading about the recall and discussed with my doctor who changed me to Atenolol, a 100mg once per day dosage. Has anyone had a similar experience?

Jean James wrote:

If switching 25 mg metoprolol, twice a day, to Topprol XL, once a day, should the Toprol XL be 50 mgs or 25 mgs? I am trying to figure out my new perscription before I fill it. The math just seems wrong. Thank you.

You should be taking Toprol XL 50mg every day.

Just curious how you've felt on the Atenolol. I'm not sure what to switch to, as I don't want to get new side effects now that I'm used to metoprolol! I take 100 mg./day for mitral valve prolapse. Have heard the tartrate is the same, just not extended release, so you have to take it 2 or 3x a day, or atenol...or pay through the nose for the brand name if you can get it.

deborah wrote:

I took 100mg Toprol for 3 years until my insurance company switched it in the fall to generic metoprolol. When I picked up my latest prescription it was no longer the slow release pill, but a dosage for 2 pills of 50mg daily. I started reading about the recall and discussed with my doctor who changed me to Atenolol, a 100mg once per day dosage. Has anyone had a similar experience?

I was told the only difference is the tartrate is immediate release vs. the extended release, so you have to take it 2x a day or more. If you don't notice a difference, they it's probably OK, and there's no shortage of this version of the drug. I myself have a hard time remembering 1 pill let alone multiple, so I'm not sure what I'll do!

tom clark wrote:

the walgreens prescription service and other distributors of the succinate form have run out of stock. My doctor presecribed the tartarte twice a day refering to it as the 'generic' form.
Is anyone aware of concerns I should be conscious of with this switch?

I experienced some very odd symptoms in the fall of '08 while taking metoprolol succ. filled at CVS. Metalic taste and strange sensation of gums as well as difficulty breathing, flank pain and dizzyness. Anyone else?

For a pharmacist's viewpoint on this, check out this blog. I just stumbled upon it. It's interesting and entertaining as well.

http://en.wordpress.com/tag/toprol-recall/

I have been having a dry and un productive cough that seems to be comming from the left side of my throat. I also have a metallic taste in the left side of my throat, I have been taking the generic Toprol XL since September and was having these side effects after taking the regular brand for 3 years with out any side effects. I have gone back to the regualar Toprol XL 1/2 of a 50mg tablet per day. I hope that this web site stretches to all of the consumers of Metoprolol ER Succinate before any one is seriously harmed.

i have been having chronic insomnia since starting
metoprolol approx four mos ago.any one else?

bill wrote:

i have been having chronic insomnia since starting
metoprolol approx four mos ago.any one else?

I used to take Toprol XL (100mg), now they've switched me to Metoprolol Tartrate (50mg 2x/day). I CAN'T SLEEP and have terrible headaches at night. That's why I'm on this board. I'm calling my dr.

Nancy wrote:

<quoted text>
I used to take Toprol XL (100mg), now they've switched me to Metoprolol Tartrate (50mg 2x/day). I CAN'T SLEEP and have terrible headaches at night. That's why I'm on this board. I'm calling my dr.

\
Yup, I don't sleep well either...but other symptoms are gone now.

I have been taking Metoprolol Tartrate for 7 years with no adverse side effects. I filled my prescription at Rite Aid and it was a round pink pill. Recently I moved and switched pharmacies to CVS. The pill they gave me was white and round. I've confirmed it was the right pill, but after a couple days of taking, I got severe rash and hives all over my body. I went back to Rite Aid and got my pink pill again. Anyone else experience this?

Jill wrote:

Deborah - the same thing happened (all of it) to me. I didn't even know about the "recall". I was just told by my pharmacy - Walgreens - that the metoprolol was on back order, which I thought was odd. I just started taking the tartrate (fast release) pills today - was taking the slow release until then. I thought I would search online to see what their differences were - since I was told just how the medicine is released is the only difference. I don't think they gave me the correct info and they did NOT tell me about the recall (which I'm going to be researching next). I'm thinking about calling my doctors office to see if they want to switch my prescription to something else as I don't trust the pharmacy anymore.
<quoted text>

Deborah, same thing happened with me and Walgreens too. I found out from another pharmacy that there was a recall. I called Walgreens back and the fella didn't know anything about a recall. Sounds a bit fishy to me now. I'm calling my doctor tomorrow.

Also I want to add that in reading some of the effects of the incorrect dosage included in the Metropolol Succinate - I've had problems with my blood pressure being high the last year or so, my heart rate has also increased at times. Sounds like it was the meds.

Perl wrote:

Just curious how you've felt on the Atenolol. I'm not sure what to switch to, as I don't want to get new side effects now that I'm used to metoprolol! I take 100 mg./day for mitral valve prolapse. Have heard the tartrate is the same, just not extended release, so you have to take it 2 or 3x a day, or atenol...or pay through the nose for the brand name if you can get it.
<quoted text>

I have been on the Atenolol for about one month. Some minor heart palpitations, but better than the metroprolol. No other discernible side effects. I am satisfied for now.

I am a pharmacist, and I do understand ur pain, because my mom also take metoprolol er for her bp. I bumped into this why researching the best equilvalent conversion of the metoprolol er to metoprolol ir. Still searching, and will let u all know. Ethex products have been recalled including their morphine ir products. My recommendation to all including my mom is to switch to brand toprol, it's has been around for years and is great. Health first before money please. Toprol is a very good medication proven to control bp, decrease death, yes decrease death, 1st drug of choice for people with heart conditions etc.