What is Metoprolol?
Metoprolol is a beta blocker that helps improve blood flow through arteries and veins, particularly in the heart and circulation. It is used for treating angina (chest pain) and hypertension (high blood pressure). Metoprolol also lowers the risk of death or the need for treatment for heart failure. The injectable form of Metoprolol is used in the early stages of a heart attack to minimize the risk of death.
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Get A Second OpinionRelevant Information
You should not use metoprolol if you have a significant heart condition (heart block, sick sinus syndrome, slow heart rate), extreme circulation issues, severe heart disease, or a history of slow heartbeats that have triggered fainting.
Before You Take This Medication:
Do not take this drug if you are allergic to metoprolol or other beta-blockers (atenolol, carvedilol, labetalol, nadolol, nebivolol, propranolol, sotalol, etc.) or if you have:
- Severe heart issues such as heart block, sick sinus syndrome, or a sluggish heart rate
- Significant problems with circulation
- Extreme heart failure (requiring hospitalization)
- A history of slow heartbeats that caused you to faint
Consult your doctor to determine if this drug is safe for you, especially if you have:
- Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, or other respiratory disorders
- Diabetes (metoprolol can mask the symptoms of low blood sugar)
- Liver disease
- Congestive heart failure
- Circulation issues (such as Raynaud's syndrome)
- Thyroid disorder
- Pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland)
Do not give this drug to a child without medical advice.
If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, consult your doctor. It is not known if metoprolol affects an unborn child, but treating hypertension during pregnancy can prevent complications such as diabetes or eclampsia. The benefits of treating hypertension may outweigh any risks to the child.
Ask your doctor before breastfeeding while taking this drug. Metoprolol can pass into breast milk and may cause dry skin, dry mouth, constipation, or slow heartbeat in your baby.
Side Effects of Metoprolol
Seek emergency medical help if you experience signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Serious Side Effects:
- Very slow heartbeat
- Feeling light-headed, as if you might pass out
- Shortness of breath, even with mild exertion
- Swelling, rapid weight gain
- Feeling cold in your hands and feet
Common Side Effects:
- Dizziness, tiredness
- Depression, confusion, memory problems
- Nightmares, trouble sleeping
- Diarrhea
- Mild itching or rash
Less Common Side Effects:
- Swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
- Cough
- Decreased urine output
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty speaking
- Dilated neck veins
- Double vision
- Extreme fatigue or weakness
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Rare Side Effects:
- Blue-colored skin of the fingers or toes
- Clay-colored stools
- Loss of appetite
- Severe abdominal pain
- Dark urine
- Trouble breathing
- General tiredness and weakness
- Hoarseness
- Frequent urination
- Itching
- Light-colored stools
- Lower back or side pain
- Muscle pain or stiffness
- Numbness in fingers or toes
- Pain, swelling, or redness of joints
- Severe headaches
- Inability to move arms, legs, or facial muscles
- Inability to speak
- Irregular breathing
- Vision changes
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Upper right abdominal pain
- Vomiting blood
- Weakness
- Yellow eyes or skin
Unknown Incidence:
- Black, tarry stools
- Bleeding gums
- Blood in urine or stools
- Burning or tingling sensation in skin
- Sweating
- Red spots on skin
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Book an AppointmentHow to Take Metoprolol
Take metoprolol as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.
- Take metoprolol with or immediately after a meal.
- Swallow the capsule whole without crushing, chewing, breaking, or opening it.
- If prescribed, you may split the Toprol XL tablet in half. Swallow the half tablet without chewing or crushing.
- Measure liquid medicine carefully using the provided dosing syringe or a special dose-measuring device, not a kitchen spoon.
- You may require regular medical tests, and your blood pressure will need to be checked often.
- Inform your surgeon ahead of time if you need surgery while taking this medication.
- Do not stop taking metoprolol suddenly, as this may worsen your condition.
- Continue to use metoprolol even if you feel well, especially for treating high blood pressure, which often has no symptoms. You may need to take this medication for the rest of your life.
Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Metoprolol injection is administered as a vein infusion in a hospital setting where your heart and blood pressure can be monitored. The injection is usually given just before you start taking the oral form.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, skip it and take the next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses at once.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical attention if you overdose. Symptoms of overdose include:
- Blue-colored fingernails, lips, skin, palms, or nail beds
- Loss of consciousness
- Lack of heartbeat or blood pressure
- Heart stopping
- Extreme drowsiness
Metoprolol Dosage
General Information on Dosage:
Metoprolol Oral Tablet Forms:
- Metoprolol 25 mg
- Metoprolol tablet oral capsule
- Injectable solution
- Extended release
- Compounding powder
- Oral solution
Dosage Forms:
Capsule ER 24 Hour Sprinkling, Oral:
- Capsule ER 24 Hour Sprinkling, Oral
Intravenous Solution (as Tartrate):
- Generic: 5 mg/5 ml
Tablet (Oral, as Tartrate):
- Lopressor: 50 mg, 100 mg
- Generic: 25 mg, 37.5 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg
Extended Release Tablet (24 Hours, Oral, as Succinate):
- Toprol XL: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg
- Generic: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg
Drug Interactions
A total of 476 drugs are known to interact with metoprolol:
- 22 major drug interactions
- 419 moderate drug interactions
- 35 minor drug interactions
