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Who can and cannot take metoprolol

Who can take metoprolol

Most adults and children can take metoprolol. It's sometimes used for treating high blood pressure in children under 12 years old.

Who may not be able to take metoprolol

Metoprolol is not suitable for everyone. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor before starting metoprolol if you have:

  • ever had an allergic reaction to metoprolol or any other medicine
  • low blood pressure (hypotension) or a slow heart rate
  • lung disease or severe asthma
  • metabolic acidosis – when there's too much acid in your blood
  • an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis) – metoprolol may make it more difficult to recognise the warning signs of having too much thyroid hormone in your body
  • severe blood circulation problems in your limbs (such as Raynaud's phenomenon), which may make your fingers and toes tingle or turn pale or blue, although this may be less obvious on black or brown skin
  • a liver condition

Page last reviewed: 9 March 2022
Next review due: 9 March 2025