Who can and cannot take metoprolol

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

Metoprolol is not suitable for some people. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor before taking it 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), 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