How Does Metoprolol Succinate Work?

Metoprolol succinate is part of a class of drugs called beta-adrenergic blocking agents, or beta blockers for short. As the name implies, beta blockers block beta receptors in the body. Beta receptors are located in a number of places within the body, including the heart and blood vessels. These receptors are what stress hormones (such as adrenaline) attach to, and they cause certain reactions in the body, such as an increase in:

 

Metoprolol succinate helps to block a specific type of beta receptor called beta-1 receptors. By blocking beta-1 receptors, metoprolol succinate causes the reverse effect of these stress hormones. It decreases heart rate and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as the workload of the heart. This means that the heart requires less blood and oxygen to work properly. Metoprolol succinate also increases the efficiency of the heart, allowing more blood to be pumped out to the rest of the body.

 

Metoprolol Succinate Effects

A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers -- for example, 120/80. The top number is known as the systolic blood pressure, and the bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure. In previous clinical studies, people taking metoprolol succinate were able, on average, to decrease systolic blood pressure by 6 mmHg to 8 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 4 mmHg to 7 mmHg. The higher the dose of metoprolol succinate, the greater the drop in blood pressure tended to be. By lowering blood pressure, metoprolol succinate can also decrease the risks that accompany long-term high blood pressure (see Effects of High Blood Pressure). By decreasing the workload of the heart, metoprolol succinate can also decrease the number of angina attacks and increase exercise tolerance.

 

For people with congestive heart failure, the effects of metoprolol succinate on the heart and blood vessels have been shown to result in a decrease in hospitalizations and loss of life from congestive heart failure.