Metoprolol may not be the right choice for every patient. In such cases, it is important to discuss with a medical provider potential metoprolol alternatives.
Metoprolol Alternatives
Alternatives for metoprolol include:
- Other beta-blockers, such as labetalol, bisoprolol, and acebutolol
- Calcium channel blockers, such as verapamil hydrochloride and diltiazem hydrochloride
- Digitalis glycosides, such as digoxin
For AFib (Atrial Fibrillation)
Medical providers sometimes prescribe metoprolol to treat atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib or AF. Alternatives to metoprolol for the treatment of AFib include other beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and digoxin.
Natural Alternatives
Natural alternatives to metoprolol include the consumption of fresh fruit and other foods containing antioxidants, eating meat, nuts, leafy vegetables and other food containing L-arginine, garlic and other herbs. Taking supplements containing EPA and DHA, CoQ10, or magnesium may also help lower blood pressure. Make sure to speak with a medical provider before starting any natural supplement as listed above.
For Anxiety
Beta-blockers like metoprolol can control physical symptoms, such as rapid heart rate and sweating, of short-term event-related anxiety, such as social phobias and stage fright. Alternatives to metoprolol for anxiety include benzodiazepines such as Xanax (alprazolam).
For Tachycardia
Alternatives to metoprolol for the treatment of tachycardia, or rapid heartbeat, including digoxin (Lanoxin), beta-blockers like bisoprolol, calcium channel blockers, and amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone).
For High Blood Pressure
Alternatives for metoprolol for the treatment of high blood pressure include other beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers. As beta-blockers, labetalol, bisoprolol, and acebutolol work in the same way as metoprolol to lower the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Calcium channel blockers, such as verapamil hydrochloride and diltiazem hydrochloride, lower blood pressure by preventing calcium from entering the cells of the heart and arteries. Notably, calcium causes the heart and arteries to contract more strongly. So, blocking calcium allows blood vessels to relax and open.
For Arrhythmia
Metoprolol treats arrhythmia, a type of irregular heartbeat. Other medications to treat arrhythmia include:
- Other beta-blockers, such as atenolol and bisoprolol, which can stop arrhythmias and slow down the heart during arrhythmias.
- Calcium channel blockers, which work similarly to beta-blockers to stop arrhythmias.
- Anticoagulants, such as warfarin, which make it harder for new blood clots to form. Arrhythmias are dangerous because irregular heart rhythms can cause blood to pool inside the heart and form clots, which can leave the heart and enter the brain to cause a stroke.
For PVCs (Premature Ventricular Contractions)
Metoprolol treats premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), which are extra heartbeats that disrupt the regular heart rhythm, sometimes causing the sensation of “fluttering” or a skipped beat in the chest. Alternatives to metoprolol for the treatment of PVCs include other beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, or anti-arrhythmic drugs, such as amiodarone (Pacerone) or flecainide (Tambocor).
For SVT (Supraventricular Tachycardia)
Metoprolol treats an abnormally fast heartbeat, known as supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), by slowing heart rate. Alternative drugs for the treatment of SVT include adenosine (Adenocard), which also decreases heart rate, calcium channel blockers (like diltiazem), digoxin (Lanoxin), other beta-blocker or amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone).
For Heart Failure
Metoprolol treats heart failure, a condition in which the heart does not pump blood as well as it should. Heart failure is often the result of high blood pressure or narrowed arteries in the heart, which leave the heart too weak or stiff to function properly. Metoprolol treats heart failure by relaxing blood vessels and slowing down the heart to improve circulation. Alternatives to metoprolol for the treatment of heart failure include:
- Other beta-blockers, such as carvedilol and bisoprolol
- ACE inhibitors, such as lisinopril and captopril
- Angiotensin receptor blockers, such as losartan
For Palpitations
Metoprolol can treat palpitations, which is a sensation that the heart is pounding, racing, fluttering, or skipping a beat. Alternative medications for palpitations may include other beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and digoxin to lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate. Anti-anxiety medications may work for palpitations associated with anxiety.
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