Coreg vs. Toprol

[Mindyt]

Dr. Fett,
I have been having unbearable headaches on the Coreg. I don't know whether or not the Coreg is the problem of if it is just aggravating the situation. I felt ten times better on the Toprol when I was using that a few months ago. So much better that I was able to exercise more and my overall outlook was much better. I am now frustrated and on the verge of depression because I hurt all the time (I am having 3-4 migraine days per week on average). I am also taking migraine preventatives and using acute migraine medication so there is not much else I can do there. The only thing that I can figure is that the Coreg is somehow responsible for my recent increase in migraines. I know that Coreg is supposed to be the drug of choice but is Toprol also a good choice? I worry that I am giving up too soon on drug that could potentially make me get better. Are there any studies that show Toprol to be as good of a drug as Coreg? If I could be on a good drug AND feel good....now that would be great. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Mindy

[SusanD]

I was on Toprol after diagnosis and for years afterwards and had a great healing process ending up in a normal EF about 6 months out. Coreg was the first beta blocker *officially* approved for use in CHF and I think at least one study has shown it is has some other beneficial effects that some BB's don't have BUT if you are not tolerating the drug and are feeling terrible, it would definitely be worth a call to your MD to discuss this. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

Dr.Fett will know more about the Coreg vs. Toprol.

[JAMESFETT]

Toprol (long-acting) is also very good medication as a beta blocker in PPCM. I am not aware of a "head-to-head" study comparing Toprol vs Carvedilol, so difficult to make comparisons. Carvedilol has effects other than toprol and other beta blockers. I am beginning to see studies describing benefit from carvedilol in preventing the unwanted remodeling that leads to less efficient pumping. Both appear to have the beneficial effects in dampening an overactive immune system, although the mechanisms are not yet clearly defined.

James

[momoftwoboys]

I always wondered about Toprol VS Coreg myself. I was on Toprol for about a year and had no change in EF. Then I was switched to Coreg and saw drastic improvement in the first 6 weeks! I don't know if it was the Coreg or just my body finally adjusting or improving. But just from personal experience I'm betting that some of those *extra* ingredients (whatever they may be) are what helped my heart heal so quickly. Coreg is definitely my "miracle drug of choice" :) .

[starryangel]

I have only ever been on Toprol, and my EF was back to normal after 4 months, I am nearly 7 months since being diagnosed and I feel great.

Just thought I would post my experience so you have a range of different peoples experiences. angel hugs christine