What is the difference between metoprolol tartrate and succinate?

Both contain the same active ingredient but work over different time frames. The tartrate version is immediate-release and is usually taken twice daily. The succinate version is extended-release and is usually taken once daily, offering steadier levels for many patients. Your clinician will recommend a form based on your condition, heart rate, and how you tolerate therapy. Never switch forms without checking your prescription and discussing it with your prescriber.

Can metoprolol tablets be split or crushed?

Immediate-release tablets may be split if they are scored and your clinician or pharmacist confirms it is appropriate. Extended-release tablets should be swallowed whole and not crushed, split, or chewed, because that can release the dose too quickly. If you have trouble swallowing, ask about alternative strengths or options. Always follow the instructions on your prescription label and the patient information leaflet.

Will this medicine affect exercise or cause fatigue?

Many people feel tired when starting therapy because it lowers heart rate and reduces the heart’s workload. This often improves over time. If fatigue affects activity or exercise, discuss it with your prescriber. They may adjust timing, form, or dose based on your response. Avoid abrupt discontinuation, as stopping suddenly can raise risks. If you feel faint, stop activity and seek medical advice.

Is it safe if I have asthma or COPD?

Beta blockers can sometimes trigger bronchospasm, especially in people with reactive airway disease. Cardioselective agents may be used cautiously in some cases, but risks and benefits must be weighed by your clinician. Report wheezing, shortness of breath, or cough that worsens. Always share your full respiratory history and rescue inhaler use with your prescriber before starting or adjusting this medication.

What should I do if my heart rate becomes too low?

Check your pulse and symptoms. If you experience dizziness, fainting, or extreme fatigue, contact your prescriber promptly. Very low heart rate can be serious, especially with other heart medicines such as digoxin or certain calcium channel blockers. Do not change your dose on your own. Your clinician may adjust treatment, evaluate interactions, or plan additional monitoring when needed.

Can I drink alcohol while taking this medication?

Alcohol can increase dizziness and lightheadedness with medicines that lower blood pressure. If you drink, do so cautiously and avoid activities requiring alertness until you know how you respond. Be mindful that dehydration and heat can also lower blood pressure. If you notice worsening symptoms with alcohol, discuss them with your clinician for personalized guidance.

Can I drive while taking this medication?

Many people can drive safely once they know how the medicine affects them. At the start, you may feel dizzy or tired as your body adjusts. Use caution with driving or operating machinery until you are comfortable with your response. If these effects persist or worsen, speak with your prescriber. Never mix sedating substances with this therapy when planning to drive.

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Metoprolol is a prescription beta blocker used for high blood pressure. It also helps with chest pain and supports recovery after a heart attack. This page explains how the treatment works, who it suits, and how to access it with US delivery from Canada without insurance.

What Metoprolol Is and How It Works

This medicine belongs to a class called beta blockers. It lowers blood pressure and heart rate by blocking stress hormones on the heart and blood vessels. The immediate-release form (tartrate) works for a shorter period, while the extended-release form (succinate) provides steadier control over the day. A common brand for the immediate-release form is Lopressor®.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy in Manitoba. Pharmacists review prescriptions before dispensing.

By easing the heart’s workload, the therapy can reduce angina symptoms and help prevent complications after a heart attack. Some people also use it for rate control in certain rhythm conditions under clinician guidance. For background on blood pressure care, see our guide Treat Hypertension.

Who It’s For

A metoprolol prescription may be considered for adults with hypertension, angina, or after a myocardial infarction. The extended-release form is also used in stable heart failure, alongside other therapies, when directed by a prescriber. It may help with rate control in atrial fibrillation under specialist care. Learn more about Hypertension and Atrial Fibrillation.

People with severe bradycardia, certain heart blocks, cardiogenic shock, or uncontrolled heart failure should avoid this medicine unless their clinician specifically manages these conditions. Use caution with asthma or COPD, diabetes (it can mask low blood sugar symptoms), peripheral vascular disease, and severe liver impairment.

Dosage and Usage

Immediate-release tablets are usually taken twice daily. Extended-release tablets are typically taken once daily. Follow your prescription label and your prescriber’s instructions. Take doses at the same time each day. Consistency matters in how the medication controls blood pressure and symptoms.

Take with or right after food if advised on your label. Swallow extended-release tablets whole; do not crush, split, or chew them. If you also take calcium channel blockers like verapamil or diltiazem, your prescriber will monitor you carefully due to added effects on heart rate. Do not stop this medicine suddenly. Abrupt discontinuation can increase the risk of chest pain, heart rhythm issues, or blood pressure spikes; your prescriber can plan tapering when appropriate.

If you are taking other heart medicines or have changes in health, inform your clinician. This includes new prescriptions, over-the-counter products, and supplements. Alcohol may increase dizziness or lightheadedness with this therapy; use caution.

Strengths and Forms

This treatment is available as immediate-release tartrate tablets and extended-release succinate tablets. Availability can vary by manufacturer.

Form	Common Strengths
Metoprolol tartrate (immediate-release)	25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg
Metoprolol succinate (extended-release)	25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg

Many patients begin on low doses and may need adjustments based on response and tolerability. One common listing is metoprolol tartrate 25 mg tablets. Your prescriber will choose the form and strength best suited to your condition.

Missed Dose and Timing

If you miss a dose, take it when you remember the same day. If it is close to the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not double up. For extended-release tablets, try to take them at the same time daily for steady effect. If you miss more than one dose, contact your prescriber for guidance.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store tablets at room temperature in a dry place away from direct light. Keep medication in the original container or a labeled pill organizer. Do not store it in a bathroom or a hot car. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

When traveling, pack doses in carry-on baggage with a copy of your prescription label. Bring enough supply for your trip plus a small buffer in case of delays. Keep your dosing schedule consistent across time zones when possible. If you have questions about crossing borders with prescriptions, check airline and customs rules and carry proper documentation.

Benefits

This therapy helps lower blood pressure and manage angina symptoms. It can reduce the heart’s oxygen demand, which may improve exercise tolerance in those with stable coronary disease. The extended-release form offers the convenience of once-daily dosing for many patients. Using a single agent as part of a broader plan may simplify routine care. Explore related options within our Cardiovascular section.

Side Effects and Safety

Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when standing
Fatigue or low energy
Slow heart rate
Cold hands or feet
Stomach upset, nausea, or diarrhea
Sleep changes or vivid dreams
Headache

Serious but less common effects can include worsening heart failure, severe bradycardia, heart block, wheezing or bronchospasm in susceptible patients, depression, or severe hypotension. With diabetes, this medicine may mask typical warning signs of low blood sugar. Seek urgent care for chest pain, fainting, breathing trouble, or swelling of the face or throat.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Tell your prescriber about all medicines you take. Certain drugs can intensify slowing of the heart, including verapamil, diltiazem, digoxin, and some antiarrhythmics. Clonidine withdrawal requires careful coordination. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may reduce blood pressure control in some people.

Inhibitors of CYP2D6 (such as paroxetine, fluoxetine, bupropion, and quinidine) may raise levels of this medicine. Alcohol can enhance dizziness. Anesthetics and other blood pressure agents can add to effects on blood pressure and heart rate. Discuss your full regimen with your clinician before procedures. For background on beta blockers and modern options, see How Bystolic Works.

What to Expect Over Time

Blood pressure typically improves with steady use and adherence. Some people notice early fatigue or dizziness, which often lessens as the body adapts. Your clinician may adjust the dose or form based on response, pulse, and tolerability. Regular check-ins help align your plan with goals, including control of symptoms such as chest discomfort or palpitations. Do not stop abruptly; your prescriber can guide any changes safely.

Compare With Alternatives

For some patients, a different beta blocker or a non–beta blocker blood pressure medicine may suit better. A cardioselective alternative is Atenolol. A calcium channel blocker that lowers blood pressure and can ease angina is Amlodipine. Your prescriber will consider your heart rate, coexisting conditions, and other medicines when selecting therapy.

Pricing and Access

We offer Canadian options with US shipping from Canada. You can order metoprolol online after a valid prescription is received. Use our checkout to review strength, quantity, and available manufacturers. Our site uses encrypted checkout for your security.

To compare options and understand metoprolol price, view our product page details. Savings vary by form and maker. If you are considering cash-pay, you can also review pharmacy dispensing information and estimated timelines shown during checkout.

Availability and Substitutions

Supply can vary by strength and manufacturer. If a specific tablet is not available, a prescriber may recommend a suitable alternative or an equivalent form. Ask about metoprolol Canadian pricing across brands or whether a different release form meets your needs. Prescription required and verified.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

This therapy may suit adults with hypertension, angina, or heart rhythm rate control needs under clinician supervision. It may not suit those with certain heart blocks, very slow pulse, or uncontrolled heart failure. Share your full medical history and current medicines with your prescriber.

For budgeting, consider multi-month fills if appropriate and allowed by your prescription. Set refill reminders so you do not run out. Review your plan’s formulary if you have coverage. For cash-pay buyers, understanding metoprolol out of pocket cost can help you plan ahead. Speak with your prescriber about once-daily options if adherence is challenging.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

Which form fits me best: immediate-release or extended-release?
What goals should we set for blood pressure and pulse?
How should I take it with my other heart medicines?
What side effects should I watch for in the first weeks?
Could this medicine affect my exercise or daily activities?
What is the plan if my pulse gets too low?
How often should we monitor labs or vitals?

Authoritative Sources

FDA DailyMed: Metoprolol

Health Canada DPD

FDA DailyMed: Metoprolol Succinate ER

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View All FAQs

What is the difference between metoprolol tartrate and succinate?
Both contain the same active ingredient but work over different time frames. The tartrate version is immediate-release and is usually taken twice daily. The succinate version is extended-release and is usually taken once daily, offering steadier levels for many patients. Your clinician will recommend a form based on your condition, heart rate, and how you tolerate therapy. Never switch forms without checking your prescription and discussing it with your prescriber.
Can metoprolol tablets be split or crushed?
Immediate-release tablets may be split if they are scored and your clinician or pharmacist confirms it is appropriate. Extended-release tablets should be swallowed whole and not crushed, split, or chewed, because that can release the dose too quickly. If you have trouble swallowing, ask about alternative strengths or options. Always follow the instructions on your prescription label and the patient information leaflet.
Will this medicine affect exercise or cause fatigue?
Many people feel tired when starting therapy because it lowers heart rate and reduces the heart’s workload. This often improves over time. If fatigue affects activity or exercise, discuss it with your prescriber. They may adjust timing, form, or dose based on your response. Avoid abrupt discontinuation, as stopping suddenly can raise risks. If you feel faint, stop activity and seek medical advice.
Is it safe if I have asthma or COPD?
Beta blockers can sometimes trigger bronchospasm, especially in people with reactive airway disease. Cardioselective agents may be used cautiously in some cases, but risks and benefits must be weighed by your clinician. Report wheezing, shortness of breath, or cough that worsens. Always share your full respiratory history and rescue inhaler use with your prescriber before starting or adjusting this medication.
What should I do if my heart rate becomes too low?
Check your pulse and symptoms. If you experience dizziness, fainting, or extreme fatigue, contact your prescriber promptly. Very low heart rate can be serious, especially with other heart medicines such as digoxin or certain calcium channel blockers. Do not change your dose on your own. Your clinician may adjust treatment, evaluate interactions, or plan additional monitoring when needed.
Can I drink alcohol while taking this medication?
Alcohol can increase dizziness and lightheadedness with medicines that lower blood pressure. If you drink, do so cautiously and avoid activities requiring alertness until you know how you respond. Be mindful that dehydration and heat can also lower blood pressure. If you notice worsening symptoms with alcohol, discuss them with your clinician for personalized guidance.
Can I drive while taking this medication?
Many people can drive safely once they know how the medicine affects them. At the start, you may feel dizzy or tired as your body adjusts. Use caution with driving or operating machinery until you are comfortable with your response. If these effects persist or worsen, speak with your prescriber. Never mix sedating substances with this therapy when planning to drive.