High level of blood pressure or hypertension is labelled as a dangerous condition. If left unattended, this condition may lead to near-fatal as well as fatal outcomes. Timely management of hypertension is essential to control risks associated with cardiac problems like heart arrest / cardiac attack, strokes and possible onset of renal conditions. In this light, a drug called metoprolol is taken for the case management of high blood pressure. This med is grouped under a class of meds called beta blockers. But, what are the key differences between metoprolol tartrate and metoprolol succinate? It is a wise thing to know more on this before commencing your treatment.
What is metoprolol tartrate?
This beta blocking med is widely used to keep blood pressure level under control. The key ingredients of this med help avoid conditions such as kidney related ailments, strokes and cardiac conditions. This med is also administered for the treatment of pain in the chest region (clinically labelled as angina) and to enhance the possibilities of survival after a cardiac arrest. Its key task is to inhibit the work of a few naturally forming substances like epinephrine. This function helps decrease pressure level as well as rate of heartbeats. In essence, the drug reduces the strain on the cardiac system by easing the blood vessels.
What is metoprolol succinate?
This med is also belongs to the beta blocker class of drugs. Its use helps manage chest pain i.e., angina as well as helps reduce high blood pressure. Key chemicals of this med can reduce fatal outcomes of cardiac arrests, and may also decrease the need for hospitalisation. One of the main benefits of this drug is its ability to reduce heartbeat rate. This drug is also taken for lessening the strain on the vessels carrying blood and on your cardiac muscles.
What are the differences between metoprolol tartrate and metoprolol succinate?
These two meds are distinct salts of metoprolol. A chief difference in between these two meds is- the tartrate salt is available only as immediate-release variant. This necessitates intake of this med as numerous dosages within a 24-hour timespan. On the other hand, the succinate salt form works on an extended release mode; thus, you may need a single dose of the succinate form each day.
Owing to this fundamental difference, interactions and dosage strength of these two meds vary significantly. Also, it can be unsafe to interchange these two meds during the course of your treatment plan. Metoprolol tartrate comes in an injectable form; this is administered onto people living with erratic heartbeats (a condition called arrhythmia) and to people who experience acute spells of pain in their chest region.
On the similarities front, these two meds resemble the other on multiple counts. For example, both of them belong to the same class of meds called selective beta blocking drugs. This class of drugs are unlikely to impair your insulin-response system and may not cause respiratory conditions. However, drugs belonging to the non-selective category may cause one or more of the above listed side effects. Metoprolol tartrate is also taken to avoid the likelihood of a second cardiac arrest i.e., soon after an attack. Thus, it can prevent fatal outcomes among people living with unstable cardiac health.
Both these meds may trigger a few side effects; these include excessive level of drowsiness, fatigue, slow down of heartbeats and a drop in libido or sexual urge (this however is a rare occurrence). If one or more of these side effects last for more than 4 days, it is strongly recommended to consult with your treating doctor. If you are sensing severe side effects like discoloration of toes and fingers, respiratory troubles like panting or wheezing, dial 911 (if you are in US) or reach out to a poison control unit (if you are living in any of the Canadian provinces). People living in US may also call the helpline of food and drug administration (FDA) for needful clinical support on an urgent mode.
Education: Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from the University of Florida. Experience: 5 years as a pharmacist and medical writer, creating content on medication management and pharmaceutical news for healthcare blogs and patient education sites.
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