MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL

Department of Pharmacy

Department of Nursing

Critical Care

Generic Name: Metoprolol
Trade Name: Lopressor
Action: Beta Adrenergic Antagonist
Indications: Hypertension
Supraventricular tachycardia
Angina pectoris
Post myocardial infarction therapy in selected patients
Administration Guidelines:
Usual Dosage Range and Route:

LOAD: 5.0 mg IVP EVERY 2 MINUTES UP TO 15 mg

MAINTENANCE: Oral therapy should be initiated as soon as possible as 25-50 mg orally every six to 12 hours titrated to patient tolerance

Special Considerations: - PA-line monitoring of cardiac output, cardiac index, PCWP, CVP, SVR, is encouraged during initiation of therapy in unstable patients

- Should be used with caution in patients with known history of bronchospasm OR chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Precautions and Side Effects: - Bradycardia, av block

- Bronchospasm

- Hypotension

- Cardiac failure

-CNS depression, hallucinations

 

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