Q. I was taking Toprol-XL for an irregular heartbeat. When I was switched to generic metoprolol, I thought nothing of it. Then the irregular heartbeats started again.
I had no idea why the drug wasn’t working until I read about metoprolol problems. I was able to get more brand-name Toprol-XL and now am back to normal. I never dreamed generic drugs could cause such trouble!
A. Over the last several years a number of problems have been uncovered with generic Toprol-XL formulations (metoprolol succinate). In the latest, an Indian manufacturer called Wockhardt recalled almost 110,000 bottles because of a quality problem.
The 50 mg tablets were from Lots LN-10686, 10687, 10688, 10707 and 10708, all expiring in 02/15. Pharmacies rarely put lot numbers on prescription bottles, so it may be hard to tell whether your metoprolol was included in the recall. Nevertheless, you should contact your pharmacist to ask.
If you would like more information about metoprolol, including side effects such as cold hands and feet, breathing difficulties, insomnia, fatigue and digestive distress, you may wish to check our Guide to Blood Pressure Treatment.
