Meta Information
ID:metoprolol
Name:Metoprolol
Schema Version:1.5
Alternate Names
- Lopressor
- Toprol-XL
Active Compound
metoprolol
Intervention Type
therapeutic_agent
Delivery
Route:
oral
Scope:
- systemic
Regulatory Status
- us:rx_drug
- eu:rx_drug
Indication
Focus:
disease_treatment
Description:
Treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure), angina (chest pain), and heart failure to improve survival after a heart attack.
Typical Protocol
- For hypertension, typically started at 25-100 mg daily in one or two divided doses.
- For stable angina, the usual initial dosage is 100 mg daily in two divided doses.
- For heart failure, dosing is started very low (e.g., 12.5 mg daily) and titrated up slowly under supervision.
Expected Cost Mean
Low Cost:
5
High Cost:
30
Cost Type:
monthly
Description:
Generic prescription cost, which is typically covered by insurance.
Summary
Metoprolol is a selective beta-1 adrenergic receptor blocker, or 'beta-blocker'. It works primarily by decreasing the heart's workload, which lowers heart rate, reduces the force of heart contractions, and lowers blood pressure. Its role is strictly for the management of diagnosed cardiovascular diseases, not for general healthspan extension in healthy individuals.
Purpose
Manages cardiovascular disease by reducing heart rate and blood pressure.
Card Summary
A beta-blocker medication used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain (angina), and heart failure by reducing cardiac workload.
Drug Class
beta_blockers
Drugs In Class
Empty Array
Impact
Score:
8.5
Justification:
Foundational, first-line therapy for managing hypertension, angina, and post-heart attack care.
Evidence
Grade:
A
Score:
10
Justification:
Extensive, multi-decade evidence from numerous large-scale human RCTs and meta-analyses.
Safety
Score:
5.5
Justification:
Well-established side effect profile; requires medical supervision for dose titration and monitoring.
Flags
- Abrupt discontinuation can cause rebound hypertension or cardiac events.
- May mask symptoms of hypoglycemia in diabetic patients.
- Can worsen symptoms of asthma or COPD.
- Common side effects include fatigue, dizziness, depression, and bradycardia (slow heart rate).
- Contraindicated in patients with severe bradycardia, heart block, or cardiogenic shock.
Verdict
Highly effective for cardiovascular disease management under medical supervision.
Qualifier
scope: systemic, focused on disease treatment
Created
2026-05-02T01:57:50.814315Z
Ai Model
Gemini 2.5 Pro (High)
Non Healthspan
True