metoprolol tartrate at a glance
Medicine class
Beta-1-selective beta blocker
Main roles
Treats high blood pressure, angina and fast heart rhythms; supports care after a heart attack and prevents migraine.
Tablet administration
The selected film-coated tablet is taken on an empty stomach and may be divided equally using its score line.
Hospital formulation
The injection is given intravenously by healthcare professionals with cardiac and haemodynamic monitoring.
What is metoprolol tartrate used for?
Licensed indications for the selected products include:
High blood pressure in adults.
Angina pectoris.
Fast cardiac arrhythmias, particularly supraventricular tachycardia.
Prevention of cardiac death and another heart attack after the acute phase of myocardial infarction.
Migraine prevention.
Intravenous control of tachyarrhythmias, especially supraventricular tachyarrhythmias.
Early intravenous treatment of suitable, haemodynamically stable patients with acute myocardial infarction.
Metoprolol is also sometimes used to reduce symptoms caused by excess thyroid hormone.
How does metoprolol tartrate work?
Metoprolol preferentially blocks beta-1 adrenoceptors, reducing the heart’s response to adrenaline and related stress hormones. This slows heart rate, reduces cardiac contractility and lowers blood pressure, helping control angina and fast rhythms.
metoprolol tartrate preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 1 mg/mL
How to take metoprolol tartrate
Follow the dispensing label and instructions for the specific product. Do not stop metoprolol suddenly without prescriber advice.
Take the selected film-coated tablet on an empty stomach and swallow with water.
Its score line allows equal division when instructed.
The injection is given intravenously by healthcare professionals in a monitored setting.
metoprolol tartrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Tiredness
- Dizziness or headache
- Slow heartbeat or palpitations
- Light-headedness when standing
- Cold hands or feet
- Nausea, abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea or constipation
- Breathlessness on exertion
Get urgent medical advice
- New wheezing or significant breathing difficulty
- Fainting, severe dizziness, or symptoms of a markedly slow or irregular heartbeat
- Worsening breathlessness, leg swelling, or other signs of deteriorating heart failure
- Unexplained bruising or bleeding
- Swelling of the face or throat, widespread rash, or other signs of a severe allergic reaction
metoprolol tartrate in pregnancy
Metoprolol can be used during pregnancy when a clinician considers it necessary; do not stop established treatment without review. Additional fetal-growth scans may be offered, and exposure near birth can require newborn observation for effects such as a slow heartbeat or low blood glucose.
metoprolol tartrate while breastfeeding
For a healthy, full-term baby, metoprolol is a preferred beta blocker because only small amounts enter breast milk. Monitor the baby for unusual sleepiness, poor feeding, inadequate weight gain, pallor, sweating, tremor or breathing changes. The selected injection has more restrictive product information, so use while nursing requires an individual clinical decision.
metoprolol tartrate interactions
Check all prescribed, non-prescription and herbal products with a pharmacist or prescriber. Important examples include:
Verapamil or diltiazem
Can markedly increase slowing of the heart and AV conduction; intravenous verapamil must not be given with beta-blocker treatment outside the specified specialist exception.
Amiodarone, digoxin or class I antiarrhythmics
Additive effects may cause bradycardia, conduction disturbance or impaired cardiac function.
Insulin, sulfonylureas and other diabetes treatments
May intensify hypoglycaemia and mask warning signs such as a fast heartbeat, so glucose monitoring may need closer attention.
Common questions about metoprolol tartrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can metoprolol tartrate be stopped suddenly?
No. Sudden withdrawal can worsen angina or heart failure and increase the risk of heart attack; any planned withdrawal should be supervised.
Should metoprolol tartrate tablets be taken with food?
The selected film-coated tablet’s product information says to take it on an empty stomach. Follow the leaflet for the exact product supplied.
Can metoprolol tartrate tablets be split?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.