Metoprolol

Introduction

Medically reviewed by Bryson Russell, PharmD, MHSA, MSc
Written by Malini Ghoshal, RPh, MS
Updated on September 20, 2023

Metoprolol is a generic medication that’s prescribed for heart-related problems. The brand-name versions of this drug are Kapspargo Sprinkle, Lopressor, and Toprol XL. The cost of metoprolol with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.  

Metoprolol comes in these forms:

• oral tablet you swallow
• oral extended-release tablet you swallow (extended-release medications slowly release their contents in your body over some time)
• solution for injection given by a healthcare professional

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved metoprolol for:

• angina (a type of chest pain)
• heart failure
• heart attack
• high blood pressure

The approved uses of metoprolol depend on the form (metoprolol tartrate or metoprolol succinate) your doctor prescribes.

Read on to learn about metoprolol and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about metoprolol, including its uses, refer to this overview article.

Cost of metoprolol

Like other medications, the cost of metoprolol can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use
• the cost to visit a healthcare professional to receive doses of metoprolol injection

To find out how much metoprolol costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the following section.

Coupons for metoprolol

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of metoprolol. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for metoprolol

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization. If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of metoprolol. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for metoprolol. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin metoprolol without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• Insurance coverage. Even if your policy has prescription drug coverage, the price of metoprolol injection may instead be billed through your medical coverage. This is because metoprolol injection doses are given by a doctor or another healthcare professional. The cost of your doses will depend on your specific insurance plan and whether you receive the doses at your doctor’s clinic or a hospital. If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.
• A 3-month supply. If you’re taking metoprolol tablet, or extended-release tablet long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Generics vs. brand names

Metoprolol is a generic medication. Its brand-name versions are shown in the following table:

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. An active drug is the ingredient that makes medication work. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re believed to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.

If your doctor has prescribed metoprolol but you’re interested in taking Kapspargo Sprinkle, Lopressor, or Toprol XL, let them know. They may prefer one medication over the other. Also, check whether your insurance plan covers only one version of the drug.

To learn how the cost of metoprolol compares with its brand-name versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about metoprolol and cost

Here are some common questions about metoprolol and their answers.  

How much does metoprolol cost without insurance?

Metoprolol’s cost without insurance depends on several factors.

They include:

• the form you’re prescribed (metoprolol tartrate or succinate)
• if you receive metoprolol injection doses by a healthcare professional
• the dosage you’re prescribed
• any cost-saving coupons that may be available
• the days’ supply of metoprolol (30-day vs. 90-day)
• the pharmacy you use

Typically, your cost without insurance will be more than with insurance coverage.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to find out the cost of your metoprolol prescription. You may want to check with a few pharmacies for the best cost without insurance.

Does metoprolol 50 mg cost more than metoprolol 25 mg?

Yes, it’s possible metoprolol 50 mg may cost more than metoprolol 25 mg.

Metoprolol comes in different dosage forms and strengths:

• Metoprolol tartrate comes in: 25 milligrams (mg), 50 mg, 100 mg.
• Metoprolol succinate extended-release tablet comes in: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg.
• Metoprolol tartrate injection solution comes in: 5 mg per 5 milliliter (mL) vials.

Some factors which may affect your cost include:

• the form of metoprolol you’re prescribed (tartrate or succinate)
• dosage form (tablet, extended-release tablet, or injection)
• your treatment plan
• whether you have insurance coverage
• the pharmacy you use without insurance

To find out the cost of metoprolol 50 mg versus 25 mg, ask your doctor, insurance provider (if you have one) or your pharmacist.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. An active drug is the ingredient that makes medication work.

This competition may help keep the costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active drugs as brand-name medications. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor.

What to ask about metoprolol

This article provides cost information related to metoprolol. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for metoprolol.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• Are there coupons available for brand-name versions of metoprolol?
• Does Medicare cover the cost of metoprolol injection?
• What are my options if I cannot afford metoprolol?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Kapspargo Sprinkle (metoprolol succinate) capsules extended-release, for oral use. (2023). accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/210428s006lbl.pdf
• Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate) tablet for oral use. (2023). accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/017963s074lbl.pdf
• Metoprolol succinate extended-release tablets, for oral use. (2023). nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/91e401fe-ec92-494e-9966-35c280f23efa/spl-doc
• Metoprolol tartrate injection for intravenous use. (2023). nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/f3817543-544a-4afa-ac7c-c1b48c1307c2/spl-doc
• Metoprolol tartrate oral tablet. (2023). nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/14836185-13ab-4838-b038-3cbd2bdd1acf/spl-doc
• Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate) extended-release tablet for oral use. (2023). accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2023/019962s050s052lbl.pdf

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.