Does metoprolol make you sleepy?
Yes, metoprolol can make you sleepy. Metoprolol is available as immediate-release and extended-release tablets. It is estimated that around 10 in 100 people who take the immediate-release version (metoprolol tartrate) experience tiredness as a side effect.
Tiredness was also reported as a side effect in more than 2% of patients who took the extended-release version (metoprolol succinate) during clinical trials for high blood pressure and angina. In one study of patients taking it for high blood pressure, 5% of patients taking doses above 200 mg per day reported feeling tired as a side effect. This was compared to about 4% of patients who took 25 mg to 100 mg per day, and around 1% of patients who took a placebo.
Why Does Metoprolol Make You Tired?
It isn’t fully clear why beta blockers like metoprolol make you feel tired. One reason may be because beta blockers slow down your heart rate and lower your blood pressure. Your body might adjust to the medication, but if you feel so tired that it is interfering with your daily activities you should let your healthcare provider know. They might be able to adjust your dose, change your medications, or recommend other ways to feel more energized.
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Managing Metoprolol-Related Fatigue and Sleepiness
If experiencing persistent tiredness, sleepiness, or fatigue with metoprolol, there are steps you can take to help. Top strategies include:
- Get plenty of sleep at night by improving sleep hygiene
- Take rest breaks during the day
- Eat a balanced diet
- Schedule activities during the times of day that you have the most energy
- Consulting a healthcare provider to discuss dose adjustment, timing (morning vs night), or switching to another formulation or medication
When symptoms persist or worsen, it is important to contact your healthcare provider.
This is not all the information you need to know about metoprolol for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full patient medication guide and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.
References
- Hainer, J., et. al. 2005. P-228: Metoprolol succinate extended release: Antihypertensive dose response characteristics. In: American Journal of Hypertension. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjhyper.2005.03.245
- Metoprolol succinate [package insert]. Updated March 2024. BluePoint Laboratories. Accessed on August 30, 2024 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=99ecc717-38ab-4d00-8bf2-86a41b1c7977
- Metoprolol tartrate. Updated May 2023. Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited. Accessed on August 30, 2024 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=cb76a73f-549a-4170-b96a-f93ed7e09464
- National Health Service. 2022. Beta blockers. Accessed on August 30, 2024 at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/beta-blockers/
- National Health Service. 2022. Side effects of metoprolol. Accessed on September 2, 2025 at https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/metoprolol/side-effects-of-metoprolol/
Read next
Does metoprolol cause hair loss?
Hair loss was not a commonly-reported side effect during clinical trials of metoprolol. However, rare reports of reversible hair loss have been reported by patients taking it. After stopping the medication, hair grows back again.
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What medications are known to cause hair loss?
Medication-induced hair loss represents a significant concern for patients across multiple therapeutic categories. While chemotherapy drugs are most commonly associated with severe hair loss, many commonly prescribed medications-including antibiotics, psychiatric drugs, cardiovascular agents, and hormonal therapies-can also cause this distressing side effect.
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How long does Metoprolol stay in your system after you stop taking it?
The half life of Metoprolol is between 3 and 7 hours. This is the time it takes for the drug levels in your plasma to reduce by half.
For a drug to be totally eliminated from your system it takes around 5.5 times the half life. As an estimate then, after taking a dose of Metoprolol it should be out of your system within 16.5 to 38.5 hours. Continue reading
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