What You Need to Know About Metoprolol
High blood pressure and heart problems affect many people. If your doctor has told you to take medication to control your blood pressure, you may have considered taking metoprolol. Before you start taking this or any other prescription medication, you should learn all you can.
What is metoprolol?
Metoprolol is used to treat high blood pressure, to prevent chest pain and to improve survival after a heart attack and in combination with other medications to treat heart failure.1
Does metoprolol work?
A 2007 clinical trial concluded that metoprolol was effective and well-tolerated to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) in children.2
A study of angina patients concluded that metoprolol was effective in treating angina.3
A 2010 study of adult hypertension patients with heart disease concluded that metoprolol effectively reduced blood pressure and raised tolerance to physical activity after coronary bypass graft surgery.4
What should I go over with my doctor before I decide to take metoprolol?
Metoprolol can worsen the symptoms of heart failure in some patients. It can also cause changes in blood sugar and may mask symptoms of low blood sugar. Metoprolol may make people dizzy or light-headed when getting up from sitting or lying down.5
What if I’m already taking metoprolol?
You should always talk to your doctor before you stop any prescription medication. Talk to your doctor if you experience any adverse effects or if you are concerned about side effects.
Learn everything you can about metoprolol before you start taking it.
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1 PubMed, “Metoprolol” (Revised 1 July 2010, retrieved 23 October 2010), http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000795/
2 J Pediatr, Batisky DL, “Efficacy and safety of extended release metoprolol succinate in hypertensive children 6 to 16 years of age: a clinical trial experience” (February 2007)
3 Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther., Aneja P. et al., “Comparative clinical study of the efficacy and safety of a S-metoprolol ER tablet versus a racemate metoprolol ER tablet in patients with chronic stable angina” (May 2007), http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17542346
4 Journal of Hypertension, Broskaya A, et al., “The Influence of Metoprolol on Blood Pressure and Tolerance to Physical Activity in Hypertensive Patients With Ischemic Heart Disease After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery” (June 2010), http://journals.lww.com/jhypertension/Fulltext/2010/06001/The_Influence_of_Metoprolol_on_Blood_Pressure_and.1631.aspx
5 Mayo Clinic, “Metoprolol (Oral Route)” (retrieved 23 October 2012), http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR602483/DSECTION=precautions-