Metoprolol

Description

Metoprolol is used to treat high blood pressure, angina pectoris (chest pain or discomfort caused when your heart muscle does not get enough oxygen-rich blood), arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), thyrotoxicosis (the symptoms caused by the overactive thyroid gland). It also prevents migraines (severe headache accompanied by sensitivity to light) and heart damage following a heart attack. Metoprolol slows down the activity of your heart, allowing your heart to beat less forcefully. Thus, this medicine helps to prevent abnormally fast heartbeats. It also reduces the blood pressure in your body. It is available on prescription as a tablet, capsule and injection form. Metoprolol may cause some side effects like dizziness, headache, breathing difficulty, and low blood pressure. If you feel dizzy or tired, care must be taken while driving vehicles or operating machines. Do not take this medicine if you are previously allergic to it. Metoprolol can be taken with or without food. For the ease of remembering, take this medicine around the same time every day. Do not stop taking this medicine unless your doctor prescribes it. Metoprolol may interact with the action of other medicines. Inform your doctor about any other health issues you have or if you are undergoing any medical treatment before taking this medicine. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Metoprolol

  • Breathing difficulty
  • Low blood pressure
  • Dizziness
  • Slow heartbeat
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Skin rash
  • Tiredness
  • Weight gain

Uses of Metoprolol

What is it prescribed for?

  • Hypertension
  • Angina Pectoris
  • Heart Attack
  • Cardiac arrhythmias
  • Thyrotoxicosis
  • Migraine Prevention
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    Metoprolol shows its effects within one hour of taking it orally. When given in the form of an intravenous infusion, the action starts in 20 minutes.
  • Duration of effect
    The effect of Metoprolol lasts for an average duration of 12 hours.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Avoid drinking alcohol while you are on treatment with Metoprolol because it can lower the blood pressure drastically.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Metoprolol.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    Metoprolol is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    Metoprolol is not recommended for use if you are breastfeeding. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.

Allergy

Avoid taking Metoprolol if you are previously allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of your face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulties, etc.

Severe bradycardia

Bradycardia or slow heart rate occurs when your heart beats less than 60 times per minute. Metoprolol is not recommended to treat a slow heart rate.

Second or third-degree heart block

There are electrical signals that control the heartbeat. These signals help your heart muscle to contract and pump blood properly. Heart block occurs when these signals are slowed down. Heart block is named first-, second-, or third-degree. First-degree heart block is the least severe, second-degree heart block is severe and can often progress to third-degree heart block, the most severe form. Metoprolol is not recommended to treat second or third-degree heart block that requires emergency attention.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Metoprolol is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.

Breast-feeding

Metoprolol is not recommended for use if you are breastfeeding. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings

Major surgery

If you are planning to undergo major surgery, you should use Metoprolol with care.

Driving or operating machine

Metoprolol may cause dizziness and fatigue in some people. Do not drive vehicles or operate machines after taking this medicine.

Sports

Athletes are advised not to indulge in certain sports while using Metoprolol. Archery, racing, shooting and other high-risk sports should be avoided. If you are actively involved in sports, you are advised to refer to the list of medicines published by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) that are not to be taken while participating in certain sports events.

Use in children

Metoprolol is not recommended for use in children and adolescents below 18 years of age because the safety and efficacy of its use are not clinically established.

Missed Dose

Oral forms: Try not to skip a dose. And if a dose is skipped, do not add it up to the next dose. Injection: This medicine is given in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.

Overdose

If you suspect that you might have taken an overdose of Metoprolol, seek immediate medical guidance.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

N/A

Instructions

Avoid drinking alcohol while you are on treatment with Metoprolol because it can lower the blood pressure drastically.
Interaction with Medicine

Amlodipine

Diltiazem

Aminophylline

Disease interactions

Asthma/ COPD

Use Metoprolol with caution if you have a respiratory condition such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Metoprolol can cause shortness of breath and also worsens other respiratory symptoms.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition in which your blood sugar levels are high. Metoprolol can mask the symptoms of low blood sugar in diabetic patients. Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is necessary if you are a diabetic patient and taking this medicine.

Liver disease

Metoprolol should be used with extreme caution if you have a history of liver troubles. This medicine breaks down in your liver and is excreted through urine. Using this medicine while you have pre-existing liver troubles can further worsen your condition and may cause damage to your liver. Inform your doctor if you have liver troubles.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma or high eye pressure occurs when the nerve connecting the eye to the brain is damaged. Take Metoprolol with caution if you have such a condition as it may increase the risk of mydriasis (a condition in which the pupil of the eye gets widened due to increased eye pressure).

Hyperlipidaemia

Hyperlipidaemia is a condition in which there are high levels of fat or cholesterol in the blood. Metoprolol can increase the cholesterol levels in your blood. Hence use Metoprolol with caution.
Food interactions
Multivitamins with minerals may reduce the effectiveness of Metoprolol when used together. Take Metoprolol 2 hours before taking multivitamins with minerals.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Oral forms: Take the medicine with or without food. Never take more than the prescribed dose. Do not give your medicine to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours. Injection: This medicine should be given by a qualified healthcare professional in a clinic or hospital.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
Metoprolol blocks beta receptors and as a result, your heart beats more slowly and less forcefully. It also helps to lower the blood pressure and strain on your heart.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Cardioselective beta blockers, Beta Blockers

Schedule

Schedule H

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https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/152>

Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Dailymed - METOPROLOL- Metoprolol Tartrate Injection, Solution. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 13 January 2021].

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=be1c686e-37a5-4a53-945b-68a6ead35134>

Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Metoprolol Tartrate Tablets BP 50Mg - Summary Of Product Characteristics (Smpc) - (Emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 13 January 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5816/smpc>

Drugs, H., 2021. Metoprolol: Medlineplus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 13 January 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682864.html>

nhs.uk. 2021. Metoprolol: Medicine To Treat High Blood Pressure. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 13 January 2021].

https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/metoprolol/>

Morris, J. and Dunham, A., 2021. Metoprolol. [online] Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 13 January 2021].

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532923/>

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Information on this page was last updated on 14 Sep 2021

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.