Metoprolol Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 20, 2023.

Applies to metoprolol: intravenous solution.

Other dosage forms:

• oral capsule extended release, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release

Serious side effects of metoprolol

Along with its needed effects, metoprolol may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking metoprolol:

More common

• blurred vision
• chest pain or discomfort
• confusion
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• shortness of breath
• slow or irregular heartbeat
• sweating
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
• cough
• decreased urine output
• difficult or labored breathing
• dilated neck veins
• disturbed color perception
• double vision
• extreme fatigue
• fast, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• halos around lights
• irregular breathing
• loss of vision
• mental confusion
• night blindness
• noisy breathing
• overbright appearance of lights
• pain, tension, and weakness upon walking that subsides during periods of rest
• paleness or cold feeling in the fingertips and toes
• rapid weight gain
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• short-term memory loss
• swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
• tightness in the chest
• tingling of the hands or feet
• tingling or pain in the fingers or toes when exposed to cold
• troubled breathing
• tunnel vision
• unusual weight gain or loss

Rare

• bluish color skin of the fingers or toes
• chills
• clay-colored stools
• continuing loss of appetite
• continuing or severe abdominal or stomach pain
• continuing or severe nausea and vomiting
• dark urine
• difficulty with moving
• fever
• general tiredness and weakness
• headache
• hoarseness
• increased frequency of urination
• itching skin
• light-colored stools
• lower back or side pain
• muscle pain or stiffness
• numbness of the fingers or toes
• pain, swelling, or redness in the joints
• painful or difficult urination
• rash
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• upper right abdominal or stomach pain
• vomiting of blood
• weakness
• yellow eyes and skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking metoprolol:

Symptoms of overdose

• bluish color of the fingernails, lips, skin, palms, or nail beds
• change in consciousness
• loss of consciousness
• no blood pressure or pulse
• stopping of heart
• unconsciousness
• very drowsy or sleepy

Other side effects of metoprolol

Some side effects of metoprolol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

• belching
• bloated
• decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
• discouragement
• dry mouth
• excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• feeling of indigestion
• feeling sad or empty
• full feeling
• inability to have or keep an erection
• irritability
• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• loss of interest or pleasure
• nightmares
• pain in the chest below the breastbone
• passing gas
• redness or other discoloration of the skin
• sensation of spinning
• tiredness
• trouble concentrating
• trouble sleeping

Rare

• bone pain
• continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
• hearing loss
• increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
• pain of penis on erection
• severe sunburn

For healthcare professionals

Applies to metoprolol: compounding powder, injectable solution, oral capsule extended release, oral solution, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release.

General

The most common adverse reactions were tiredness, dizziness, depression, shortness of breath, bradycardia, hypotension, diarrhea, pruritus, and rash.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Heart failure (up to 27.5%), hypotension (systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg) (up to 27.4%), bradycardia (heart rate less than 40 beats per minute) (up to 15.9%),
• Common (1% to 10%): Cold extremities, arterial insufficiency, palpitation, first degree heart block (P-R interval 0.26 seconds or greater), second or third degree heart block, postural disorders
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cardiogenic shock in patients with acute myocardial infarction
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Disturbances of cardiac conduction, cardiac arrhythmia
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Intermittent claudication increased
• Frequency not reported: Claudication^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Diarrhea, nausea, dry mouth, gastric pain, constipation, flatulence, heartburn, abdominal pain, vomiting
• Frequency not reported: Retroperitoneal fibrosis^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Tiredness, peripheral edema, accident and/or injury, death, fatigue
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Edema, precordial pain
• Frequency not reported: Lactic dehydrogenase elevated
• Postmarketing reports: Chest pain^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, vertigo, stroke, headache
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Paresthesia, somnolence, impaired concentration
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Alertness decreased
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Amnesia/memory impairment, tinnitus, taste disturbance
• Frequency not reported: Short-term memory loss
• Postmarketing reports: Syncope^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Shortness of breath, wheezing, dyspnea
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Rhinitis^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, rash
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Sweating increased
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Loss of hair
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Photosensitivity reactions, psoriasis aggravated, gangrene in patients with preexisting severe peripheral circulatory disorders, hyperhidrosis, alopecia^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Depression
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Insomnia, nightmare
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Nervousness, anxiety
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Confusion, hallucination, personality disorder, disturbances of libido
• Frequency not reported: Sleep disturbance^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Muscle cramps
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Arthralgia, arthritis
• Frequency not reported: Musculoskeletal pain^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Weight gain
• Frequency not reported: Unstable diabetes
• Postmarketing reports: Blood triglycerides increased, high density lipoprotein (HDL) decreased^[Ref]

Ocular

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Visual disturbance, dry and/or irritated eyes, conjunctivitis
• Frequency not reported: Blurred vision^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Liver function test abnormalities
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hepatitis
• Frequency not reported: Transaminase elevated, alkaline phosphatase elevated
• Postmarketing reports: Jaundice, non-specific hepatic dysfunction^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Impotence/sexual dysfunction
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Peyronie's disease^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Positive antinuclear antibodies^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Thrombocytopenia
• Frequency not reported: Agranulocytosis^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

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Further information

Metoprolol side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer