What Is Metoprolol Used For?

Many people wonder, "What is metoprolol used for?" Metoprolol is used for the treatment of high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and angina symptoms. 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 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 part of a class of drugs called beta blockers. Metoprolol is sold under the brand names Lopressor® and Toprol-XL®. It is also available as a generic. Lopressor and generic Metoprolol Tartrate are the immediate-release forms of metoprolol, while Toprol-XL and generic Metoprolol Succinate are the extended-release forms.
 

Metoprolol: Immediate-Release and Extended-Release

The uses for immediate-release metoprolol include:
 
 
The 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, metoprolol can also decrease the risks that occur with long-term high blood pressure (see Effects of High Blood Pressure). Metoprolol does not, however, cure high blood pressure.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;