Metoprolol

Why is this medicine prescribed?

Metoprolol is used to treat high blood pressure, angina (chest pain) and heart failure. Metoprolol also is used to improve survival after a heart attack .Metoprolol is in a class of medications called beta blockers.It works by relaxing blood vessels and slowing heart rate to improve blood flow and decrease blood pressure.

Are there other uses for this medicine?

Metoprolol is also used sometimes to treat certain types of irregular heartbeats. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medicine be used?

Metoprolol comes as a tablet, an extended-release (long-acting) tablet, and an extended-release capsule to take by mouth.Take the regular tablet once or twice a day with meals or immediately after meals. Take the extended-release tablet and extended-release capsule once a day.To help you remember to take metoprolol, take it around the same time(s) every day.

Take metoprolol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

The extended-release tablet may be split. Swallow the whole or half extended-release tablets whole; do not chew or crush them.

Swallow the extended-release capsules whole; do not split, chew, or crush them. If you are unable to swallow the capsules, open the capsule and sprinkle the contents over a spoonful of soft food, such as applesauce, pudding, or yogurt. Swallow the mixture immediately. Do not use the mixture more than 60 minutes after you prepare the mixture.

Your doctor may start you on a low dose of metoprolol and gradually increase your dose.

Metoprolol helps to control your condition but will not cure it. Continue to take metoprolol even if you feel well. Do not stop taking metoprolol without talking to your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking metoprolol you may experience serious heart problems.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking metoprolol,

• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this drug, any part of this drug, or any otherdrugs, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and whatsymptoms you had.

• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

• tell your doctor if you have a slow or irregular heartbeat or heart failure. Your doctor may tell you not to take metoprolol.

• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma or other lung diseases; problems with blood circulation; pheochromocytoma (a tumor that develops on a gland near the kidneys and may cause high blood pressure and fast heartbeat); heart or liver disease; diabetes; or hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland).

• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking metoprolol, call your doctor.

• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking metoprolol.

• do not drink any alcoholic drinks or take any prescription or nonprescription medications that contain alcohol if you are taking metoprolol extended-release capsules. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not know if a medication that you plan to take contains alcohol.

• you should know that metoprolol may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and prevent the warning signs and symptoms that would tell you that your blood sugar is low. Let your doctor know if you are unable to eat or drink normally or are vomiting while you are taking metoprolol. You should know the symptoms of low blood sugar and what to do if you have these symptoms.

• you should know that if you have allergic reactions to different substances, your reactions may be worse while you are using metoprolol, and your allergic reactions may not respond to the usual doses of injectable epinephrine.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

IUnless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What should I do if I forget to take a dose?

Skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule.Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medicine cause?

Metoprolol may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• dizziness or lightheadedness
• tiredness
• diarrhea
• dry mouth
• rash or itching

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• weight gain
• fainting
• rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat

Metoprolol may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.

What should I do in case of overdose?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

• nausea, vomiting
• decreased consciousness or loss of consciousness (coma)
• irregular, fast, or slow heartbeat
• chest pain
• difficulty breathing

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

Brand name(s)

• Kapspargo Sprinkle^®
• Lopressor^®
• Toprol^®¶
• Toprol^® XL
• Dutoprol^® (as a combination product containing Metoprolol, Hydrochlorothiazide)¶
• Lopressidone^® (as a combination product containing Chlorthalidone, Metoprolol)¶
• Lopressor^® HCT (as a combination product containing Metoprolol, Hydrochlorothiazide)
• also available generically

^¶ This branded product is no longer on the market. Generic alternatives may be available.

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS^® Patient Medication Information™. © Copyright, 2026. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists^®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

Selected Revisions: March 15, 2026.