This NHS content is written for people in England. Medicine names, availability, prescribing and services may differ in other countries.
Dosage and how to take metoprolol
Dosage and strength
Metoprolol comes as 25mg, 50mg and 100mg strength tablets.
The dose you take depends on why you need it:
- high blood pressure – 50mg to 100mg, taken twice a day
- chest pain – 50mg to 100mg, taken 2 to 3 times a day
- an irregular heartbeat – 50mg, taken 2 to 3 times a day
- preventing migraine – 50mg to 100mg, taken twice a day
- too much thyroid hormone (thyrotoxicosis) – 50mg, taken 4 times a day
If your child needs to take metoprolol, their doctor will work out the right dose by using their weight and age.
How to take it
You can take metoprolol with or without food.
Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water.
Some tablets have a score line to help you break them in half and make it easier to swallow. Check the information leaflet for your brand to see if you can do this.
Your doctor may advise you to take your first dose before bedtime because it could make you feel dizzy.
If you do not feel dizzy after the first dose, take metoprolol in the morning.
If you have metoprolol more than once a day, try to space the doses evenly throughout the day.
View the original NHS website page ↗. Refreshed 19 August 2026.
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