Can Metoprolol Be Taken Once a Day?

Whether metoprolol can be taken once a day cannot be generalized. This medication has two forms: regular tablets and sustained-release tablets. When using it, it is necessary to determine the method and dosage of administration based on the specific condition of the patient and the selected medication. For the treatment of hypertension, generally, regular tablets can be taken twice a day, with a dose of 50 to 200 milligrams each time. For sustained-release tablets, if the dosage is appropriate, they can be taken once a day at a fixed time each day. Finally, it is still recommended to take metoprolol under the guidance of a doctor.

1. History of allergies; congestive heart failure; first-degree atrioventricular block; diabetes; emphysema or non-allergic bronchitis; liver dysfunction; hypothyroidism; Raynaud's syndrome or other peripheral vascular diseases; renal insufficiency; pregnant and lactating women; patients under anesthesia or surgery.

2. Blood routine, blood pressure, cardiac function, liver function, and renal function should be checked or monitored before, during, and after medication. Patients with diabetes should regularly check their blood sugar levels.

3. There are large individual differences, and the dosage should be individualized.

4. At high doses, the β1-receptor selectivity of metoprolol gradually disappears. Patients with bronchospasm should use it with caution, generally using only a small amount, and promptly adding β2-receptor agonists.

5. Patients with no history of heart failure may develop signs of heart failure during long-term use of metoprolol. It is advisable to add cardiac stimulants and/or diuretics. If heart failure symptoms persist, the medication should be discontinued.

6. Intravenous administration can quickly control heart rate and myocardial contractility. Studies have shown that intravenous administration within several hours of the onset of myocardial infarction symptoms is more effective than oral administration. After myocardial infarction, intravenous administration followed by oral maintenance treatment is better than using only one method.

7. There is inconsistent opinion on whether to stop medication before surgery. β-receptor blockade reduces the heart's response to reflex sympathetic excitation, increasing the risk of general anesthesia and surgery, but it can be reversed with dobutamine or isoproterenol. Discontinuation of medication can cause angina and/or hypertensive rebound, which may be more dangerous than the cardiac depression caused by the surgery itself.

8. When used in hyperthyroidism, metoprolol can mask some symptoms such as tachycardia. When suspected of hyperthyroidism, it should be avoided to suddenly stop the medication to prevent thyroid crisis.