Key takeaways
- Metoprolol is a type of medication called a beta blocker. It comes in oral or injectable forms. It may be used to treat different conditions, including high blood pressure, chest pain, and migraine.
- The tablet forms of metoprolol, both immediate and extended release, get to work within around 1 hour of taking them. The injectable form works more quickly, working after about 20 minutes.
- You might notice some of your symptoms going away after a few hours, but you should see the full effects after taking the medication for at least a week.
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Overview
Metoprolol is a beta blocker. These medications reduce stress on your cardiovascular system, including your blood vessels and heart.
A healthcare professional may prescribe it if you have:
- high blood pressure (hypertension)
- had a heart attack
- an abnormal heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation or flutter)
- angina (chest pain)
A doctor may also prescribe beta-blockers, like metoprolol, off-label. This means prescribing the medication to treat conditions other than the ones it is approved for. Off-label uses of metoprolol include migraine, hyperthyroidism, and anxiety.
You can get metoprolol as a generic medication or as brand names like:
Does metoprolol have an immediate effect?
No. Metoprolol does not work immediately. How quickly metoprolol works in your body depends on the medication form you take.
Metoprolol is available in these forms:
- Immediate-release tablet: These start working within 1 hour of taking them. The drug enters your system more quickly than with extended-release tablets.
- Extended-release tablet or capsule: These will also start working within 1 hour of taking them. The dosage is typically different, and the drug enters your body more slowly than the immediate-release versions. This means that they work for longer, and you do not have to take the medication so often.
- Injection given by a healthcare professional: Injected medications have a quicker effect than oral medications, as they enter your bloodstream immediately. You may notice the effects of a metoprolol injection within 20 minutes of receiving the shot.
Although you may experience the short-term effects of metoprolol within 2 hours of taking the dose, it may take up to a week to experience its full therapeutic effects. Sometimes, you may feel the medication isn’t working, but it is already causing changes in your body.
How many hours do metoprolol’s effects last?
How long a dose of metoprolol lasts in your body will depend on your metabolism and the form of the medication you are taking:
- Immediate-release tablet (metoprolol tartrate): Exactly how long these tablets last in your system depends on your dose. The average half-life of the immediate-release metoprolol tablets (Lopressor) is 3 to 4 hours. This means that, on average, it takes your body 3 to 4 hours to eliminate half of the dose.
- Extended-release tablet or capsule (metoprolol succinate): Extended-release tablets and capsules release the drug slowly into your body. The effects of the extended-release metoprolol tablets (Toprol XL) typically last for up to 24 hours.
- Injection given by a healthcare professional: An injection of metoprolol will start working very quickly, and its effects will last for several hours. As with immediate-release tablets, the average half-life of metoprolol injections is 3 to 4 hours.
Your total dose and frequency you take metoprolol will also affect how long it provides relief.
Typical dosages for metoprolol tablets vary according to the condition they are treating and the form you take. Typical dosages are as follows:
- High blood pressure: 50-100 mg, up to twice a day
- Angina: 50-100 mg, up to 3 times a day
- Irregular heartbeat: 50 mg, up to 3 times a day
- Migraine prevention: 50-100 mg, up to twice a day
- Hyperthyroidism: 50 mg, up to four times a day
You usually take Lopressor two to three times per day, and Toprol XL only once a day.
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Get free cardHow do you know metoprolol is working?
If you take metoprolol for high blood pressure, you will notice your readings improve within days. For other heart conditions, your healthcare professional may monitor your symptoms to check how well the medication works.
If you take metoprolol to treat hyperthyroidism, you will likely notice symptom relief and improvement in your thyroid lab tests.
For anxiety, you might notice improvements in heart palpitations, excessive sweating, and muscular tension. You can experience anxiety relief with metoprolol within an hour of taking it.
You will notice less severe or frequent migraine attacks when taking metoprolol for migraine prevention.
Sometimes, you may not feel the medication working immediately. It may take up to a week before you notice the benefits of metoprolol.
Side effects of metoprolol
Research suggests that side effects of metoprolol may include:
- low mood, like sadness, hopelessness, or indifference
- fatigue
- slow heartbeats
- low blood pressure
- tinnitus (ringing in your ears)
- low sex drive
- tightening in the muscles lining your lungs
- cold hands and feet
- dizziness
- diarrhea
- low tolerance to physical activity
- glucose intolerance
Let your healthcare professional know if you experience any side effects from metoprolol. It is important that you do not stop taking the medication without speaking to them, as this may worsen your symptoms, including increasing your chance of a heart attack.
Alternatives to metoprolol
Beta-blockers may help manage heart conditions, and your doctor may prescribe them off-label for conditions like anxiety or migraine.
Beta-blocker alternatives to metoprolol may include:
- betaxolol (Bisoprolol)
- carvedilol (Coreg)
- nadolol (Corgard)
- propranolol (Inderal)
Your healthcare professional may also recommend a different medication as an alternative to a beta-blocker. For example, they may prescribe a type of medication called an I(f) channel blocker, such as ivabradine (Corlanor), for heart conditions.
For heart and cardiovascular challenges, doctors may prescribe angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) as an option to metoprolol.
Options include:
- captopril (Capoten)
- fosinopril (Monopril)
- trandolapril (Mavik)
- candesartan (Atacand)
Your healthcare professional can advise you on suitable alternative treatment options.
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Summary
Metoprolol tablets and capsules usually start working within an hour of taking them, while injections work within 20 minutes. Even though you may experience symptom relief within a couple of hours, the full therapeutic effects of metoprolol may be felt after a week.