This NHS content is written for people in England. Medicine names, availability, prescribing and services may differ in other countries.
Metoprolol and pregnancy
You can take metoprolol during pregnancy. If you're taking metoprolol for heart problems then it’s likely that you will be advised to keep taking it during pregnancy.
Metoprolol can sometimes affect your baby's growth and you will need to have extra growth scans (usually from 32 weeks) to monitor this.
If you're trying to get pregnant or you're already pregnant, talk to your doctor about whether metoprolol is right for you.
Metoprolol and breastfeeding
If your baby is healthy, and you need to take a medicine to treat high blood pressure, metoprolol is one of the best choices while breastfeeding, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist first.
Metoprolol passes into breast milk in very small amounts. It has not been known to cause any side effects in breastfed babies.
It's important to keep taking metoprolol to keep you well. Breastfeeding will also benefit both you and your baby.
It's very rare for breastfed babies to have side effects from medicines you're taking. But it's important to keep monitoring your baby if you're taking any medicine while breastfeeding.
Contact your healthcare professional or call 111 as soon as possible if you notice that your baby:
- is not feeding as well as usual or putting on weight as expected
- seems unusually sleepy, tired or weak
- looks much paler than usual
- seems sweaty or shaky
- changes their breathing
If your baby has any symptoms that are not listed, or you’re worried about them, you can also call 111 or contact any healthcare professional.
View the original NHS website page ↗. Refreshed 19 August 2026.
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