What Is Metoprolol Used For?

High blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and angina symptoms can all be treated with metoprolol. The medication can also be used immediately after a heart attack to improve survival. Occasionally, metoprolol is used for off-label purposes, including anxiety treatment, migraine prevention, and hyperthyroidism treatment.

Metoprolol Drug Information

Metoprolol Uses: An Overview

Metoprolol is a prescription medicine that has been licensed to treat several conditions related to the heart and blood vessels. It is part of a class of drugs called beta blockers. Metoprolol is sold under the brand names Lopressor^® and Toprol-XL^®. Both versions are also available in generic form. Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate) is the immediate-release form, while Toprol-XL (metoprolol succinate) is the extended-release form.

Uses for Immediate-Release and Extended-Release Metoprolol

The uses for immediate-release metoprolol include:

High blood pressure control
Relief of angina symptoms
Treatment following a heart attack to improve survival.

Extended-release metoprolol uses include treatment for:

High Blood Pressure

A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers (for example, 120/80). The top number is known as the systolic blood pressure, and the bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure. High blood pressure (hypertension) is defined as an average blood pressure higher than 140/90 with multiple blood pressure readings.

Based on clinical studies, metoprolol has been shown to significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The higher the dose of metoprolol, the greater the drop in blood pressure is expected to be. By lowering blood pressure, the medication can also decrease the risks that occur with long-term high blood pressure (see Effects of High Blood Pressure). Metoprolol does not, however, cure this condition.

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