Key takeaways

  • Metoprolol comes in two forms: immediate-release and extended-release tablets. Both treat high blood pressure and prevent chest pain in adults. The immediate-release form improves survival after a heart attack, while the extended-release version treats heart failure.
  • Common side effects include tiredness, depression, diarrhea, skin rash, and dizziness. Also, as people age, liver and kidney function may change, which can increase some health risks.
  • Serious side effects include very slow heart rate, low blood pressure, and severe allergic reactions. Be sure to talk with your doctor about drug interactions, preexisting health conditions, and the risks of stopping metoprolol suddenly.

Metoprolol is prescribed for adults to:

  • treat high blood pressure
  • help prevent angina (chest pain)

The immediate-release form (metoprolol tartrate) is used in adults to improve survival after heart attack. The extended-release form (metoprolol succinate) treats heart failure in adults and high blood pressure in some children.

Keep reading to learn about metoprolol’s side effects.

Some people experience side effects from metoprolol, which may last a few days to weeks. Talk with your doctor if these side effects persist, get worse, or become difficult to tolerate.

Common side effects include:

  • tiredness
  • depression
  • diarrhea
  • skin rash or itching
  • dizziness

For more information about some of these side effects, see “Tips for managing side effects.”

Metoprolol can cause mild side effects in some people. In most cases these are temporary, and some may be easily managed.

Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with this drug include:

Most side effects are temporary and easy to manage. But if symptoms continue or bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Don’t stop taking metoprolol unless your doctor asks you to.

Metoprolol may cause other mild side effects not listed here. For details, see the prescribing information for metoprolol tartrate tablets and metoprolol succinate tablets.

For more information about some of these side effects, see “Tips for managing side effects.”

Metoprolol can cause serious side effects. This list doesn’t include all possible serious effects. For complete information, see the prescribing information for metoprolol tartrate tablets and metoprolol succinate tablets.

If you develop serious side effects while taking metoprolol, call your doctor right away. If the effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

Serious side effects include:

For more information about some of these side effects, see “Tips for managing side effects.”

Note: After the FDA approves a drug, it tracks side effects. Sharing your experience helps make medications safer by giving doctors and researchers real-world information. If you develop side effects from metoprolol and want to tell the FDA, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Allergic reaction

Some people have an allergic reaction to metoprolol.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms like a rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest treatment for your symptoms and decide whether you should keep taking metoprolol.

If you have severe symptoms like swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 immediately. These symptoms can be life threatening and need immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to metoprolol, they may switch you to a different treatment.

You can take steps so that some metoprolol side effects are easier to manage. If you have ongoing, worsening, or bothersome side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can suggest tips to manage the effects or recommend other treatment options.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, metoprolol can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin, usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

Steps you can take to manage symptoms associated with this side effect include:

  • taking an antihistamine such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for mild symptoms
  • applying hydrocortisone cream to your skin for mild rashes
  • calling your doctor right away for mild allergic reaction symptoms
  • calling 911 immediately for severe symptoms such as swelling or difficulty breathing
  • switching to a different treatment if your doctor confirms a serious allergic reaction

Dizziness

Studies show dizziness is a common metoprolol side effect. You can manage it by:

  • sitting or lying down until it goes away
  • moving slowly when changing positions or standing up
  • avoiding driving or operating machines during dizzy spells
  • limiting alcohol, as alcohol makes dizziness worse

Joint pain

Though joint pain was not reported in the studies of metoprolol succinate ER tablets, there have been reports of joint pain and musculoskeletal pain in people taking this form of metoprolol since this drug came on the market.

If you experience joint pain while taking metoprolol, the following steps may help:

  • Talk with your doctor to determine the possible cause.
  • Use gentle movement to ease joint pain.
  • Apply hot or cold packs to affected areas.
  • Use over-the-counter anti-inflammatory gels.
  • Take pain relievers as recommended by your doctor.
  • Switch to a different treatment if your doctor determines that metoprolol may be the cause.

Constipation

Studies show constipation is an uncommon metoprolol side effect. You can manage it by:

  • drinking more fluids
  • getting regular, gentle exercise
  • eating more high fiber foods
  • talking with your doctor about laxatives if other steps don’t help

Hallucinations

Hallucinations were a rare side effect reported in studies of metoprolol succinate ER tablets, but it’s not known how often this happened or whether the drug was the cause. Steps you can take to manage symptoms associated with this side effect include:

  • Talk with your doctor to identify the possible cause.
  • Switch to a different treatment if your doctor determines that metoprolol may be the cause.

Memory loss

Studies show memory loss is a rare metoprolol side effect. You can manage it by:

  • talking with your doctor about the possible cause
  • discussing whether switching treatments might help
  • keeping notes or reminders for daily activities

Do both forms of metoprolol cause the same side effects?

Both forms contain the same active ingredient, so they can cause the same side effects. But immediate-release tablets release the drug all at once, so they’re more likely to cause tiredness, dizziness, and diarrhea.

Your doctor can recommend the form of metoprolol that’s best for you. (Note that the different forms have some different uses.)

Do older people have an increased risk of side effects from metoprolol compared with younger people?

Yes. If your age is 65 years or over, your body clears metoprolol more slowly, which increases the risk of side effects, especially dizziness and tiredness, which may cause falls. Because of this, your doctor may prescribe a low starting dose for you.

Can metoprolol cause weight gain or weight loss?

It’s not likely. Weight loss wasn’t reported in studies of metoprolol. And although weight gain has been very rarely reported with metoprolol, it’s not known for sure whether the drug was the actual cause of this side effect.

But metoprolol can sometimes cause or worsen heart failure. And one possible symptom of this side effect is sudden weight gain.

If you have weight changes with metoprolol, especially sudden weight gain, talk with your doctor. They can determine the possible cause.

Is my risk of side effects with metoprolol ER higher if I take a higher dose?

Metoprolol succinate ER tablets come in strengths of 25 milligrams (mg), 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg.

As with many drugs, your risk of side effects with metoprolol succinate ER and metoprolol tartrate IR tablets may be higher if you take higher doses.

Talk with your doctor if you’re concerned about your risk of side effects with the dosage of metoprolol you’re prescribed.

Does metoprolol cause any long-term side effects?

No, most side effects reduce as your body adjusts to the medication. If you do have bothersome side effects that don’t ease, they’ll likely go away if your doctor reduces your dose, or after you stop treatment.

Also, taking metoprolol for long periods of time isn’t known to increase your risk of having side effects.

Before taking metoprolol, tell your doctor about your medical history and overall health. Some conditions, symptoms, or lifestyle factors may affect whether metoprolol is right for you. Be sure to discuss any of the following with your doctor if they apply to you:

To learn more about metoprolol, see these articles:

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.