Metoprolol Dosing (Cont.)

Metoprolol Dosing for Angina

The recommended starting dosage of immediate-release metoprolol for people with angina is 50 mg twice a day. For the extended-release version, the suggested starting dose is 100 mg once a day. After one week, based on the response and/or side effects, the metoprolol dosage may be increased or decreased. Your metoprolol dose may continue to be increased until your angina symptoms improve.
 
The maximum daily dose of both immediate-release and extended-release metoprolol for treating angina symptoms is 400 mg.
 

Dosing for Metoprolol Following a Heart Attack

Following a heart attack, immediate-release metoprolol may be given in the hospital through an intravenous line (IV). Your healthcare provider may then recommend continuing metoprolol following discharge from the hospital. In others, metoprolol might be started in the tablet form. This specific dose of metoprolol recommended can vary based on a number of factors.
 

Metoprolol Dosing for Congestive Heart Failure

The recommended starting dosage of extended-release metoprolol for people with congestive heart failure is 12.5 mg to 25 mg once a day. The more severe the heart failure, the lower the starting dose tends to be. Every two weeks or so, the dose may be increased. Based on the response and/or metoprolol side effects, the dosage may be increased or decreased until the optimal dose is determined.
 

General Metoprolol Dosage Information

Some considerations for people taking metoprolol include:
 
  • Your metoprolol dosage should be taken by mouth with a glass of water.
     
  • Metoprolol should be taken with or immediately following a meal.
     
  • Do not break, chew, or crush the metoprolol tablets.
     
  • Make sure to take metoprolol at the same time each day to maintain even levels of medicine in the blood.
     
  • For metoprolol to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. The drug will not work if you take it in a different way than your healthcare provider prescribes.
     
  • If you do not take your metoprolol as scheduled, take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed one and continue with normal dosing. Do not take a double dose.
     
  • You should not stop metoprolol without first discussing it with your healthcare provider. Stopping this drug abruptly increases the risk for serious side effects (see Metoprolol Warnings and Precautions).
     
  • If you are unsure about anything related to metoprolol or your metoprolol dosage, please talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Also, as explained above, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
     
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;