Key takeaway
- Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that comes in two forms: immediate-release (metoprolol tartrate), which you should take with food or shortly after eating, and extended-release (metoprolol succinate), which you can take on an empty stomach or with food.
- Taking immediate-release metoprolol with food may improve absorption and help reduce side effects like tiredness, dizziness, low blood pressure, and decreased heart rate.
- Some foods and drinks may interact with metoprolol, including grapefruit juice, alcohol, and potassium-rich foods. Talk with a healthcare professional if you consume these regularly, as they may need to adjust your dosage or monitor your potassium levels.
Overview
Metoprolol is a generic medication that belongs to a group of drugs called beta-blockers. These medications can help treat heart conditions like angina, heart failure, and high blood pressure.
You can take metoprolol on an empty stomach or with food, depending on the drug’s form. If doctors recommend taking metoprolol with food, this could improve your body’s absorption of the medication and reduce the risk of side effects.
Need a diagnosis or prescription quickly? Optum Perks offers personalized on-demand care in as little as 15 minutes. For $29, answer a few questions online and receive a diagnosis and treatment plan from a US-licensed healthcare professional. Get started here.
Metoprolol on an empty stomach
There are two main forms of oral metoprolol:
- Immediate-release: Doctors recommend taking this form either with food or shortly after eating. The immediate-release oral form is commonly known as metoprolol tartrate under the brand name Lopressor. (“Immediate release” means the drug is released into your body right away.)
- Extended-release: You can take the extended-release oral form on an empty stomach, with food, or after eating. This form of metoprolol is known as metoprolol succinate under the brand name Toprol XL. (“Extended release” means the drug is released into your body slowly over a long period of time.)
You may be wondering what happens if you take immediate-release metoprolol on an empty stomach. Although there are no recent studies on why you should take the medication with food, your doctor may have more general reasons for taking it with a meal.
One reason is that taking medications with a meal can affect how the drug is absorbed in your body. Sometimes, taking medication on an empty stomach means your body doesn’t absorb it well enough. This may make it less effective.
If a medication causes certain side effects, including stomach-related effects like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, taking it with a meal can help reduce these side effects.
There is no reliable scientific evidence stating that taking metoprolol on an empty stomach worsens these side effects or makes them more likely to happen. However, all forms of metoprolol can cause some effects.
Need a refill for metoprolol succinate (Toprol XL)? You may be able to get an online prescription through Optum Perks in as little as 15 minutes. Learn more here.
What are the most common side effects of metoprolol?
The most common side effects of metoprolol include:
- tiredness
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- low blood pressure
- decreased heart rate
- depression
- cold hands and feet
- shortness of breath
Do not stop taking metoprolol without talking with a healthcare professional, as it could cause serious withdrawal symptoms.
If you have severe side effects, talk with your healthcare professional about switching to a lower dose or a different medication. They can help you taper off metoprolol gradually and safely.
Can some foods interact with metoprolol?
There isn’t much scientific research about taking metoprolol with specific foods or drinks. However, there is evidence that certain foods and supplements can interact with medications belonging to the same drug group as metoprolol. These drugs are beta-blockers.
According to a 2022 review of studies, grapefruit juice can reduce the effectiveness of some beta-blockers. Grapefruit juice contains flavonoids, which can reduce the absorption of certain drugs. Other flavonoid-containing fruit juices include:
- orange
- apple
- kiwi
- papaya
Some foods and drinks, including alcohol, may increase the effects of certain beta-blockers. These drugs may also increase the effects of alcohol. In addition, certain beers and wines contain flavonoids, which may reduce beta-blocker activity.
St. John’s wort is a natural remedy that contains hyperforin, which can also increase the activity of some beta-blockers. By contrast, green tea can reduce the absorption of the beta-blocker nadolol (Corgard).
According to a 2025 study, people who take beta-blockers may have an increased risk of developing hyperkalemia. This occurs when blood potassium levels are too high. Taking potassium supplements while also taking beta-blockers could increase this risk. It may also occur with foods containing high amounts of potassium.
Potassium-rich food sources include:
- bananas
- grapefruit
- kiwi fruit
- baked potato
- lima beans
- cooked yams
- cooked spinach
- carrot juice
If you consume any of these foods regularly or drink alcohol, let your doctor know. They can advise you on changes to make or adjust your dosage. Your doctor will also closely monitor your potassium levels and recommend adjusting your diet if necessary.
Free prescription coupons
Seriously … free. Explore prices that beat the competition 70% of the time.
Get free cardMetoprolol alternatives
Beta-blockers work by reducing the effect of certain hormones, like adrenaline. These hormones can affect your heart rate, which may be dangerous if you have certain heart conditions. Beta-blockers can treat some of these heart conditions, like angina, heart failure, and high blood pressure.
If you have a heart condition but cannot take metoprolol, alternatives are available. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lists the following generic beta-blockers:
- acebutolol (Sectral)
- bisoprolol (Zebeta)
- propranolol (Inderal)
- timolol
Talk with your doctor or healthcare professional about which beta-blocker may work best for you.
Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.
Summary
Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that comes in two main oral forms: an immediate-release tablet and an extended-release tablet.
It’s usually best to take the immediate-release form of metoprolol with food or shortly after a meal. Taking it on an empty stomach may affect the drug’s absorption and increase your risk of some side effects.
You can take the extended-release form of metoprolol on an empty stomach, with food, or after eating.
Because metoprolol is a beta-blocker, some foods and drinks may interact with it. They include grapefruit juice, alcohol, and tea. Consuming potassium-rich foods and supplements while taking metoprolol could increase your risk of certain side effects.
Disclaimer: While Optum Perks strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses.