It’s also used to reduce the risk of death after a heart attack.
Metoprolol oral tablets usually start to work within one hour of taking a dose.
The IV injection works about 20 minutes after receiving an injection.
Bloomberg / Contributor / Getty Images
Bloomberg / Contributor / Getty Images
What Is Metoprolol?
Metoprolol is a beta-blocker available as orally administered tablets and an IV injection.
The drug form you’re prescribed may depend on your health condition.
The following are metoprolol’s FDA-approved uses based on the drug form and active ingredient.
This is called off-label use.
This helps lower blood pressure and improve blood flow.
How Long Does It Take For Metoprolol to Work?
In general, metoprolol IV injection works quicker than metoprolol oral tablets.
Metoprolol immediate-release and extended-release tablets start to slow the heart rate about one hour after taking a dose.
The medication typically begins working in about 20 minutes when metoprolol is given by IV injection.
With metoprolol extended-release tablets, it takes about four to five hours to reach peak concentrations.
However, it may take about one week to see metoprolol’s full effects in lowering blood pressure.
With metoprolol immediate-release tablets, the effects of the drug tend to last longer with higher doses.
With metoprolol extended-release tablets, the medication is released into your body slowly over time.
Its effects last about 24 hours.
The time it takes for your body to clear half the drug in your body is called ahalf-life.
In general, it takes about four to five half-lives for your body to completely eliminate a drug.
Each form of metoprolol has a different half-life.
However, your healthcare provider will prescribe a dosage specific to your condition.
Be sure to follow their instructions carefully.
One kilogram equals about 2.2 pounds.
The recommended metoprolol succinate dosage for children is 1 to 2 mg per kg once daily.
Side Effects
Like most drugs, metoprolol may cause side effects in some people.
You should take metoprolol regularly with food or right after a meal.
If you miss a dose of metoprolol, take your next dose as scheduled.
Avoid taking two doses together to make up for a missed dose.
Be sure to take metoprolol exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes it.
Do not stop taking this medication suddenly.
Doing so can increase your risk of worsening chest pain, irregular heart rhythm, or heart attack.
Metoprolol may not be safe for everyone.
They’ll talk with you about the potential risks and benefits of taking metoprolol during pregnancy.
Metoprolol is known to pass into breast milk.
If you decide to breastfeed while taking metoprolol, also let your child’s healthcare provider know.
Some medications may negatively affect metoprolol, affecting its effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects.
It’s also used to treat other heart conditions, such as chest pain, in adults.
Metoprolol is available in two different orally administered forms: immediate-release and extended-release tablets.
It also comes as an IV injection used to reduce the risk of death after a heart attack.
The oral forms of metoprolol start to work about one hour after taking a dose.
The IV injection works much faster.
It begins to work about 20 minutes after receiving a dose.
How long the effects of metoprolol last varies based on the drug form.
Metoprolol extended-release tablets release the medication into your body slowly over 24 hours.
Be sure to take metoprolol exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes it.
Do not stop taking this medication suddenly.
Food and Drug Administration.Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations.
DailyMed.Label: Metoprolol- metoprolol tartrate injection.
DailyMed.Label: Metoprolol succinate- metoprolol succinate er tablets tablet, film coated, extended release.
DailyMed.Label: Metoprolol tartrate - metoprolol tablet.
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