Metoprolol is a beta blocker drug used in treatment of several diseases of the cardiovascular system. It is marketed under the brand name Lopressor by Novartis, and Toprol (in the USA) and Seleken (elsewhere) by AstraZeneca.

Properties:

• cardioselective
• lipophilic
• without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA)
• without membrane stabilizing activity
• short half-life must be taken at least twice daily or SR preparations

Indications:

• essential hypertension
• arrhythmias
• coronary heart disease (prevention of angina attacks)
• secondary prevention after a myocardial infarction
• low dosed treatment of some forms of heart failure (see MERIT-HF study¹)
• migraine prophylaxis
• as an adjunct in treatment of hyperthyroidism

In the United States and most other countries, this medication is available only by prescription.

References

1. Effect of metoprolol CR/XL in chronic heart failure: Metoprolol CR/XL Randomised Intervention Trial in Congestive Heart Failure (MERIT-HF) (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10376614&dopt=Abstract) Lancet. 1999 Jun 12;353(9169):2001-7