Generic Toprol XL NOT THE SAME?

[Christie Bradfield]

Ahoy! I went to get my Toprol XL 100 prescription refilled on 8/15 and was given the new generic form instead of the AstraZeneca original formulation I had been taking with no problems for the last two years. The generic version had NO EFFECT on my blood pressure, and instead caused it to spike to 189/129. I had severe headaches, pains in my eyes so bad I could not see, ringing in my ears, and chest pains. Has anyone else run into problems with the new generic? When I questioned my pharmacist, he told me the generic was also made by AstraZeneca (which was a lie). Help! Chris

[Matt]

I have been on Toprol XL 50mg for over a year and it worked great. But last week Walmart fill it with the genaric and I have been taking it for a week. My heart rate is higher and my angina is back.

[George Yacup]

Same problems here! My wife and I were so happy to see it in generic to save a few buck and then all hell broke loose. Pressure up, felt like we were drunk, never had angina, so no issues there. Stay away from it until it is fixed.

[George Yacup]

Oh, by the way, went back to Toprol XL and feeling fine after 2 days. Get off of it!!!

[Daniela Granado]

THANK YOU GOD!!! Not just me!! i thought i was going crazy. my chest hurts SO BAD!! cant even work out and i didn't know what was wrong with me? i thought it was my tonsils so swollen that somehow it affected my chest.. i haven't felt this kind of pain in FOREVER!!!! I don't know how i will get the money to get my meds.. but my chest hurting so bad,from these pills.. that i will have to do something.

[andrea lisco]

It happen the same to me......i was worried that my blood pressure was not in control anymore. i have a metallic aortic valve and the misleading information of the pharmacists put all of us in a serious risk. we sould sue them

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[J T Harrall]

Interesting...I've been taking Toprol-XL for many years with no problems. Last month without informing me of "the switch" my grocery store pharmacy refilled with the generic version. I can trace the problems I'm having back to that refill, wish I had noticed it right away, now I have swollen feet, chest pressure, eye sight problems (when out in bright light), skin rash, sinus problems, and my pulse races at the slightest exertion! Whatever it takes I'm going back to the original drug. Bottom line I should've been warned and wasn't. Not everyone can take the generic and considering what this medication is for it could be very dangerous for the person taking the generic unawares. But what the hell, if you drop dead, who’s to know…

[matador]

I have experienced the same issue. I have been on Toprol XL for 2 years and have no problems. This month the pharmacist gave the generic form called METOPROLOL ER, and I am getting side effects like, numbness in my arms.

[Diana Mekeel]

My pharmacy just gave me a "new generic" without any warning.-thanks for all your comments! I'm going to go change it right now! You guys might have saved me from a big headache!

[debbie]

pulse racing hyper

[carole]

I take this to control an irregular heartbeat, which started a few months after having my aortic valve replaced with a mechanical one. Within 2 days of taking it, the irregular beat is back and I feel terrible. Thanks to all of your posts, I'm headed to the drugstore today to see if I can get it changed back. Of course, since the insurance company doesn't care if I live or die, I'll probably have to pay for it myself. Blessings to all who share their comments!

[Christen]

I am so glad I looked this up. I noticed that the pills were different when I picked up my refill. The last I heard, FDA had decided to renew AstraZenica's 5 year patent, and a generic form would NOT even be open for discussion for another 5 years. This makes me wonder if the generic company may have changed a few ingredients, as to keep from breaking patent laws and getting sued again. Anyhow - when I saw that the pills were different, I looked on FDA.gov immediately. I have too serious pain, pressure, and flutters if I skip or take later than normal. Thank you all so much for taking the time to inform the rest of us on this. I am very thankful!!!

[Christie Bradfield]

THANKS to all of you who wrote in! I am going to send copies of your responses to AstraZeneca and to Walgreen's, the pharmacy who gave me the generic version without telling me. Someone needs to be aware of these reactions -- didn't the generic company (PAR) test their pills on humans? I missed two days of work, had to pay for another visit to my doctor (which included chest X-rays and an EKG), and I had my doctor reissue my prescription to give me the original pills -- "Dispense As Written". I get to pay for all of these. My understanding of the generic versions of patented medicines is that the only ingredient that has to be the same is the active ingredient. The remainder of the pill (which is the bulk of the pill) can be anything. Due to the elevated blood pressure resulting from the substitution of the generic version, I had a blood clot break loose in an artery in my right arm and cause phlebitis. Even though I am back on the original formulation, I still have chest pains and now take a mild anti-anxiety drug. MORE pills... sigh... Good luck and God Bless to all of you!

[tomah]

I thought I was going crazy until I read all of your posts. Thank goodness for Google! Walgreens substituted my Toprol XL for the generic by PAR, too - and by the evening my pulse rate goes up to the 90's. It was always 60 - 68 on Toprol XL. I have been getting a lot more PVCs/PACs, too! I'm calling Walgreens tomorrow - but I'm sure my insurance company is insisting on the generic. I hope this drug gets re-called or something -- fortunately, I am seeing my cardio next Wed., and I will inform him. Thank you so much for all your information!

[anne]

my son's resting heart rate was 99 on the generic. Headaches, eye aches etc. see other post. Encourage all to ask that the pharmacies place on med. watch. Is he the only one who had an RBC count during the time he was taking it? His Red blood cells dropped to almost normal after discontinuing for almost a week.

[Joel]

Yes, according to the package insert for Par Pharmaceuticals generic metoprolol succinate, it is in fact manufactured for Par by AstraZeneca in Sweden.

[Edwardo]

Wow! Me too! same deal Medco didnt inform me about the changeover from non generic to Generic toprol xl
not a single word!when I got the meds from the drug store not a word,that it was Generic toprol xl ..
I took it for 4days had adverse side effects and got very very sick! had to pay full price for the Toprol xl non generic being Medco wouldnt discount it anymore its off the list! now im back on the non generic toprol xl , however have same problems and side effects with a new one low blood sugar levels
due to the generic brand and now the non generic is doing the same deal ( its a know side effect )
that isnt told or writen much about. they keep it still.. This really looks like a class action law suite here ! im talking to my attorney asap !
iv had enough with these hmo systems and stupid doctors and pain in the rear lieing pharm depts and perscription companys ! anyone interested???

[benieboy]

Toprol stinks! I was forced on it by my Hmo brand Doctor! he said its wonderfull and works wonders, really makes you feel good. well after 2years on this S..T" I can say I dont feel good at all,and have more side effects, my blood pressure has not dropped down by 4points! while on toprol I also was switched to Toprol xl Generic pills last week! took them for 1day -Dizzy and light headed heart pounding
b.p up again! cant think straight! chest pains! back pains, legs ache !omg!! what more Got off it !Flushed it down the toilet! wont take that crap
again im game for a class action suite ! let me join up ? where ?? when ? how ??

[buffy]

It has taken 3 days on the generic to realize that my elevated pressure and rapid heartbeat is the result of my refilled prescription for Toprol XL 50mg being switched to the generic metoprolol and not a heart attack. Called CVS and they said they would exchange it. Of course, I will have to pay an exorbitant co-pay.

[Dee]

On Toprol XL for many years. Started taking the generic Metoprolol XL last Saturday and for the past two days have had long sessions of excessive PVC's, and fast heart rate. Have not had PB checked. Called pharmacist and was told it's exactly the same. He had me read markings from pill and told me it's even made by same manufacturer. Told him of various posts and complaints online....says "it's all in their heads". Going back to Toprol XL...whatever it costs!