Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMetoprolol’s Half-LifeWhat Is It?DosingSafetyHypertensionBeta-BlockersAlternative TreatmentsFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Metoprolol’s Half-Life
What Is It?
Dosing
Safety
Hypertension
Beta-Blockers
Alternative Treatments
Frequently Asked Questions
Metoprolol belongs to a drug class known asbeta-blockers. Brand-name versions of metoprolol include the following:
This article will cover metoprolol’s potential side effects and ways to take it safely.
How Long Does Metoprolol Stay In Your System?
There are two types of metoprolol:metoprolol tartrateandmetoprolol succinate.
The main difference between the two medications is how long they stay in your system.
Metoprolol has a half-life (when half of the drug is eliminated from the body) of three to seven hours.
Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate), an immediate-release product, disperses quickly throughout the body after administration. The body removes 50% of the full dose of metoprolol tartrate over three to seven hours.
However, the extended-release versions of metoprolol succinate (brand names Toprol XL and Kaspargo Sprinkle) release a steady amount of the medications over 24 hours.
Due to how long they last in the body, metoprolol tartrate and metoprolol succinate typically have different dosing schedules, as follows:
200 mg tablets of AstraZeneca’s hypertension drug, Toprol-XL.Bloomberg / Contributor / Getty Images
Bloomberg / Contributor / Getty Images
How Quickly Will Metoprolol Work?
Typically, metoprolol begins working soon after you take the medication, regardless of the form.
For this reason, it may take a few weeks to receive the full effects of metoprolol.
Exactly how long metoprolol’s effects last depends on the form you take.
Metoprolol succinate works for around 24 hours, while metoprolol tartrate works for around 12 hours.
What Is Metoprolol?
The FDA approved metoprolol, a beta-blocker, for the following:
FDA approval for metoprolol tartrate is limited to adults.However, metoprolol succinate is approved for adults and children age 6 and older with high blood pressure.
Available in three brand names—Lopressor, Toprol XL, and Kaspargo Sprinkle—metoprolol comes in tablet and capsule forms, the latter of which can be opened and sprinkled over soft foods for people who have trouble swallowing.
Additionally, metoprolol tartrate is a key component in Lopressor HCT, a combination drug for high blood pressure that includes hydrochlorothiazide, though this article concentrates on its oral forms.
How Does Metoprolol Work?
Metoprolol is aselective beta-1 receptor blocker. Meaning it works primarily in the heart. Metoprolol has little impact on other beta receptors located in other parts of your body.
Metoprolol tartrate and metoprolol succinate work the same way in that they are both selective for mainly blocking the beta-1 receptor.
Other beta-blockers, like Coreg (carvedilol) and Inderal XL (propranolol), block beta receptors throughout your body.
Metoprolol binds to beta-1 receptors in the heart, blocking adrenaline from activating the receptors. This results in the following:
Types of Metoprolol
Metoprolol is available in two types: tartrate and succinate. The FDA approvedboth typesfor the following:
The FDA also approved:
The two types differ in how long they work:
They also vary in how frequently they’re taken:
Dosing Guidelines
The recommended dosage for metoprolol varies depending on the following:
The table below is not meant to be a complete dosage guide for metoprolol.
However, it shows the typical starting and maintenance dosage of metoprolol tartrate for adults (18 years and older) with hypertension or angina.
The FDA has approved the following dosages of metoprolol succinate (Toprol XL and Kaspargo Sprinkle) in adults:
Metoprolol is not approved for children less than 6. For children ages 6 to 17 years old with high blood pressure, the FDA approves metoprolol succinate at the following doses based on body weight in kilograms (kg):
Your healthcare provider may prescribe metoprolol for different uses or dosages shown here.
Consult your healthcare provider for personalized dosage recommendations.
Safe Consumption Guidelines
In case of a missed dose, avoid doubling up. Instead, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule.
While metoprolol tartrate tablets can be crushed and both tablets can be split, metoprolol succinate tablets should not be crushed.
Healthcare providers often prescribe metoprolol for thelong term, as it remains safe and effective. Some individuals may require lifelong use.
Interactions
Other medications may interact with metoprolol, resulting in the following:
Discussing everything you take with your healthcare provider and pharmacist is essential.
Someexamples of medications that interact with metoprololinclude the following:
Side Effects and Precautions
Most people tolerate metoprolol well, but some of the more common but mild side effects may include:
In some cases, metoprolol results in more severe side effects. These include:
What Is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure is one of the most common conditions in the United States.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly half of all adults in the United States have high blood pressure.
High blood pressure increases the risk of:
This highlights the importance of keeping blood pressure under control with a healthy lifestyle and the use of blood pressure medications.
Understanding Beta-Blockers
Beta-blockers such as metoprolol are an older class of medications that were once the first choice for conditions like the following:
However, they are now typically prescribed as a second-line treatment due to better alternatives like the following:
In addition to metoprolol, commonly prescribed beta-blockers include the following:
Alternative Treatment Options
Nondrug options for lowering high blood pressure include eliminating common risk factors.
The most common risk factors for high blood pressure include:
Accordingly, the American Heart Association recommends the following as important lifestyle changes for lowering high blood pressure:
Implementing these recommendations also promotes healthy weight loss, which further helps reduce the risk of high blood pressure and its complications.
Summary
Metoprolol has two types: metoprolol tartrate (immediate-release) and metoprolol succinate (extended-release).
The effects of metoprolol tartrate last for about 12 hours. On the other hand, metoprolol succinate lasts an entire 24-hour period.
In addition to treating hypertension, healthcare professionals prescribe metoprolol to treat the following:
High blood pressure is associated with a number of risk factors:
In most cases, hypertension is not life-threatening. However, it can contribute to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.
Frequently Asked QuestionsMetoprolol should be stored at room temperature. Keep metoprolol secure and out of the sight and reach of pets and children.Many studies have investigated the effectiveness of metoprolol for high blood pressure. In one study, researchers found that metoprolol significantly reduced the risk of cardiac events such as heart attack and stroke when used to lower blood pressure.However, studies have shown the most benefit of beta-blocker use, including metoprolol, in individuals with both high blood pressure and heart failure.
Metoprolol should be stored at room temperature. Keep metoprolol secure and out of the sight and reach of pets and children.
Many studies have investigated the effectiveness of metoprolol for high blood pressure. In one study, researchers found that metoprolol significantly reduced the risk of cardiac events such as heart attack and stroke when used to lower blood pressure.However, studies have shown the most benefit of beta-blocker use, including metoprolol, in individuals with both high blood pressure and heart failure.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.Orange book: approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations.Food and Drug Administration.Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate) tablet label.Food and Drug Administration.Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate) tablet label.Food and Drug Administration.Kapspargo Sprinkle (metoprolol succinate) capsule label.Helton MR.Diagnosis and management of common types of supraventricular tachycardia.Am Fam Physician.2015;92(9):793-802.Fitzgerald AS & O’Malley PG.Staying on track when off-label prescribing.Am Fam Physician.2014;89(1):4-5.American Heart Association.Cardiac medications.MedlinePlus.Metoprolol.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.High blood pressure.Wiysonge CS, Bradley HA, Volmink J, et al.Beta-blockers for hypertension.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;1:CD002003. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002003.pub5Whelton PK, Carey RM, Aronow WS, et al.2017 guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association task force on clinical practice guidelines.Hypertension. 2018 Jun;71(6):13-115. doi: 10.1161/HYP.0000000000000065.Wikstrand J, Warnold I, Tuomilehto J, et al.Metoprolol versus thiazide diuretics in hypertension: morbidity results from the MAPHY study.Hypertension. 1991;17(4):579-88. doi: 10.1161/01.hyp.17.4.579.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Food and Drug Administration.Orange book: approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations.Food and Drug Administration.Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate) tablet label.Food and Drug Administration.Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate) tablet label.Food and Drug Administration.Kapspargo Sprinkle (metoprolol succinate) capsule label.Helton MR.Diagnosis and management of common types of supraventricular tachycardia.Am Fam Physician.2015;92(9):793-802.Fitzgerald AS & O’Malley PG.Staying on track when off-label prescribing.Am Fam Physician.2014;89(1):4-5.American Heart Association.Cardiac medications.MedlinePlus.Metoprolol.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.High blood pressure.Wiysonge CS, Bradley HA, Volmink J, et al.Beta-blockers for hypertension.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;1:CD002003. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002003.pub5Whelton PK, Carey RM, Aronow WS, et al.2017 guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association task force on clinical practice guidelines.Hypertension. 2018 Jun;71(6):13-115. doi: 10.1161/HYP.0000000000000065.Wikstrand J, Warnold I, Tuomilehto J, et al.Metoprolol versus thiazide diuretics in hypertension: morbidity results from the MAPHY study.Hypertension. 1991;17(4):579-88. doi: 10.1161/01.hyp.17.4.579.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Food and Drug Administration.Orange book: approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations.Food and Drug Administration.Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate) tablet label.Food and Drug Administration.Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate) tablet label.Food and Drug Administration.Kapspargo Sprinkle (metoprolol succinate) capsule label.Helton MR.Diagnosis and management of common types of supraventricular tachycardia.Am Fam Physician.2015;92(9):793-802.Fitzgerald AS & O’Malley PG.Staying on track when off-label prescribing.Am Fam Physician.2014;89(1):4-5.American Heart Association.Cardiac medications.MedlinePlus.Metoprolol.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.High blood pressure.Wiysonge CS, Bradley HA, Volmink J, et al.Beta-blockers for hypertension.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;1:CD002003. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002003.pub5Whelton PK, Carey RM, Aronow WS, et al.2017 guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association task force on clinical practice guidelines.Hypertension. 2018 Jun;71(6):13-115. doi: 10.1161/HYP.0000000000000065.Wikstrand J, Warnold I, Tuomilehto J, et al.Metoprolol versus thiazide diuretics in hypertension: morbidity results from the MAPHY study.Hypertension. 1991;17(4):579-88. doi: 10.1161/01.hyp.17.4.579.
Food and Drug Administration.Orange book: approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations.
Food and Drug Administration.Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate) tablet label.
Food and Drug Administration.Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate) tablet label.
Food and Drug Administration.Kapspargo Sprinkle (metoprolol succinate) capsule label.
Helton MR.Diagnosis and management of common types of supraventricular tachycardia.Am Fam Physician.2015;92(9):793-802.
Fitzgerald AS & O’Malley PG.Staying on track when off-label prescribing.Am Fam Physician.2014;89(1):4-5.
American Heart Association.Cardiac medications.
MedlinePlus.Metoprolol.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.High blood pressure.
Wiysonge CS, Bradley HA, Volmink J, et al.Beta-blockers for hypertension.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;1:CD002003. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD002003.pub5
Whelton PK, Carey RM, Aronow WS, et al.2017 guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association task force on clinical practice guidelines.Hypertension. 2018 Jun;71(6):13-115. doi: 10.1161/HYP.0000000000000065.
Wikstrand J, Warnold I, Tuomilehto J, et al.Metoprolol versus thiazide diuretics in hypertension: morbidity results from the MAPHY study.Hypertension. 1991;17(4):579-88. doi: 10.1161/01.hyp.17.4.579.
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