Metoprolol is primarily used to treat several cardiovascular conditions, including:
- High blood pressure (hypertension), either alone or in combination with other medications, to reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage
- Angina (chest pain) by reducing the heart’s oxygen demand and improving blood flow
- Heart failure, to improve survival and reduce hospitalizations when used alongside other standard treatments
- To improve survival and reduce damage after a heart attack (myocardial infarction)
- Certain abnormal fast heart rhythms (arrhythmias), such as supraventricular tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia, by stabilizing heart electrical activity
- Prevention of migraine headaches by decreasing the frequency and severity of attacks
- Off-label uses include treatment of hyperthyroidism-related symptoms (thyroid storm) and essential tremor
Metoprolol is a beta blocker that works by slowing the heart rate and relaxing blood vessels to improve blood flow and lower blood pressure
. It is available in two forms: immediate-release (metoprolol tartrate) and extended-release (metoprolol succinate), which are used for slightly different indications
. In summary, metoprolol is used mainly for managing high blood pressure, angina, heart failure, heart attack recovery, certain arrhythmias, and migraine prevention
