What It Is
Metoprolol belongs to a class of medicines called beta blockers, specifically one that's considered relatively selective for effects on the heart.
What It's Used For
Metoprolol is generally used to help manage high blood pressure, certain heart rhythm conditions, and chest pain related to reduced blood flow to the heart, and is also used in some cases following a heart attack to support heart function.
How It Works
Metoprolol works by blocking beta-1 receptors, which are found predominantly in heart tissue. These receptors normally respond to hormones like adrenaline, which increase heart rate and the force of the heart's contractions, particularly during stress or physical exertion. By blocking these receptors, metoprolol reduces heart rate and the force of contraction, which lowers the heart's overall workload and oxygen demand, and can help lower blood pressure.
History and Regulatory Status
Metoprolol was developed by a Swedish pharmaceutical company as part of a broader effort to create beta blockers with more selective effects on the heart, reducing some of the effects on other parts of the body seen with earlier, less selective beta blockers. It was introduced for clinical use in the late 1970s and became widely adopted for managing cardiovascular conditions in the decades that followed. It remains one of the most commonly prescribed beta blockers today, widely available in generic form.