Can you drink while taking metoprolol?

In this article:

• How does metoprolol work?
• Metoprolol and alcohol
• Metoprolol interaction with alcohol
• Contraindications
• How long should you wait to drink
• Metoprolol alternatives
• The bottom line

In this article

• How does metoprolol work?
• Metoprolol and alcohol
• Metoprolol interaction with alcohol
• Contraindications
• How long should you wait to drink
• Metoprolol alternatives
• The bottom line

Mixing alcohol with metoprolol can come with various side effects, some of which can be serious. Many people take metoprolol, either as metoprolol tartrate or metoprolol succinate, to help manage high blood pressure and heart conditions. If you’re considering drinking alcohol while taking this prescription drug, you should know the possible risks.

For some people who know how they react to the medication and alcohol, drinking in moderation may be doable. However, for others, combining metoprolol and alcohol may lead to low blood pressure, which could cause dizziness and fatigue, especially if you’ve just started taking it. Read on to learn more about the consequences of mixing alcohol and metoprolol.

How does metoprolol work?

Metoprolol is a generic medication available in immediate-release (Lopressor) and extended-release (Toprol XL) forms. Both brand names of metoprolol are FDA approved to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and chest pain (angina). However, Toprol XL is additionally approved for heart failure, while Lopressor is also used to reduce the risk of death after a heart attack.

Metoprolol is a beta blocker that works by blocking the action of a hormone called adrenaline on certain receptors in the heart and blood vessels. As a result, it helps slow down the heart rate and reduce the strength of the heart’s contractions, which improves blood flow and lowers blood pressure. By making the heart work less hard, metoprolol can help treat cardiovascular conditions like high blood pressure and chest pain.

Metoprolol is taken as an oral tablet once or twice daily, depending on the dosage, form, and condition being treated.

Can you drink while taking metoprolol?

It’s not generally recommended to drink alcohol while taking metoprolol. When you first start taking metoprolol, drinking alcohol may increase side effects.

However, if you’ve been taking metoprolol consistently at an appropriate dosage and have your blood pressure under control, you may be able to drink alcohol in moderation. That means no more than two drinks per day for men and no more than one drink per day for women. Still, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider for medical advice to determine whether drinking alcohol may be safe for you.

What happens if you mix metoprolol and alcohol?

Mixing metoprolol with alcohol could increase the risk of several adverse effects. In some cases, alcohol could cause serious side effects or alter the effectiveness of the medication.

Dizziness

Mixing alcohol with metoprolol can lead to feelings of dizziness or light-headedness, which can make it hard to walk or stand. Both metoprolol and alcohol can lower blood pressure, which might cause you to feel more dizzy, especially when moving suddenly or getting up quickly. If you drink alcohol during treatment with metoprolol and feel dizzy, sitting or lying down can help, and moving slowly may prevent you from falling.

Fatigue

Drinking alcohol while taking metoprolol can make you feel more tired than usual. Both alcohol and metoprolol can cause drowsiness on their own, but when combined, they can make you feel even more fatigued. This extra tiredness may affect your daily life, making it harder to focus and be productive.

Nausea

Nausea is another side effect that can be amplified when you mix alcohol with metoprolol. Nausea or vomiting is a potential side effect of metoprolol. Alcohol can also upset your stomach, causing discomfort and sometimes even vomiting when consumed in large amounts. 

Heart rate changes

Metoprolol works by slowing heart rate to reduce strain on the cardiovascular system. Alcohol has been found to cause changes in heart rate, including a fast heart rate or an irregular heart rhythm. Over time, alcohol can affect the heart muscle, causing the heart to work harder than it should. Therefore, drinking alcohol could counter the therapeutic effects of metoprolol.

Low blood pressure

Alcohol affects blood pressure in different ways. When consumed in large amounts, blood pressure may go down for the first 12 hours after drinking. However, after that time, it can actually go up. These effects can vary depending on how much alcohol is consumed and when it is consumed. As metoprolol can also lower blood pressure, drinking alcohol with this medication may increase the risk of severely low blood pressure (hypotension), which may be life-threatening in rare cases.

The side effects of mixing metoprolol and alcohol can differ from person to person. How serious these effects are often depends on how much metoprolol you take and how much alcohol you drink.

Are certain people at greater risk of side effects?

Certain people are at a higher risk of side effects when mixing alcohol with metoprolol, a medication used for high blood pressure and heart issues. Understanding specific health conditions can help highlight these risks.

• Slow heart rate (bradycardia): Bradycardia means having a heart rate slower than 60 beats per minute. Taking metoprolol may lead to a severely slow heart rate in people with bradycardia. Drinking alcohol can further slow the heart, leading to dizziness or fainting.
• Heart rhythm problems: Conditions like heart block or sick sinus syndrome cause irregular heartbeats. For those affected, metoprolol can worsen these problems. Alcohol can also interfere with how the heart works, increasing the risk of serious heart rhythm problems.
• Heart failure: Heart failure happens when the heart struggles to pump blood. While metoprolol helps manage this condition, alcohol can make it worse, leading to more severe symptoms.
• Poor CYP2D6 metabolizers: Some people have a genetic variation that affects how their bodies break down medications like metoprolol. For those who metabolize it slowly, the medication can remain in their system longer. Even if someone drinks alcohol hours after taking their dose, it can still interact with the medication in a way that worsens side effects.

People with these heart conditions should be cautious about drinking alcohol while taking metoprolol. In addition, those who are sensitive or allergic to either substance should avoid them.

How long after taking metoprolol can you drink alcohol?

Timing can make a difference when deciding whether it’s safe to drink alcohol after taking medication. The half-life of a drug is the time it takes for the body to eliminate half of the drug from the body, and it can affect when it is safest to consume alcohol.

The half-life of metoprolol tartrate is about three to four hours, while the half-life of metoprolol succinate is around three to seven hours. It generally takes about five half-lives for a drug to be cleared from the body. This means metoprolol tartrate can take roughly 15 to 20 hours to be removed completely, while metoprolol succinate can take around 15 to 35 hours to be cleared.

Some people process metoprolol more slowly, which may lead to an even longer half-life of metoprolol. If you haven’t performed genetic tests to determine whether you have this genetic variation, it’s best to avoid alcohol consumption for at least a couple of days after your last dose of metoprolol.

Blood pressure medications that may also be affected by alcohol

All treatment options for blood pressure have the potential to interact with alcohol. These interactions can vary based on how much medication you take, how much alcohol you drink, and how your body reacts. Because of the potential risks, it’s a good idea to be careful with alcohol if you’re using these types of medications.

Other beta blockers:

• Inderal (propranolol)
• Tenormin (atenolol)
• Coreg (carvedilol)

Calcium channel blockers:

• Norvasc (amlodipine)
• Cardizem (diltiazem)
• Calan (verapamil)

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors:

• Prinivil (lisinopril)
• Vasotec (enalapril)
• Altace (ramipril)
• Lotensin (benazepril)

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs):

• Cozaar (losartan)
• Diovan (valsartan)
• Avapro (irbesartan)
• Benicar (olmesartan)

Diuretics:

• Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide)
• Lasix (furosemide)

You might be taking other medications if you have different health conditions. Tell your healthcare provider about other medications you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal supplements, to avoid drug interactions. You should also discuss your drinking habits with a healthcare professional to prevent potential side effects.

The bottom line

Mixing alcohol with metoprolol, a medication used to treat high blood pressure and heart problems, can cause side effects like dizziness, tiredness, and low blood pressure. These effects may be especially apparent when you first start taking the medicine.

While some people might be able to drink alcohol in moderation without problems, it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider first. Certain factors, like having heart rhythm problems, a slow metabolism of the medication, or existing heart failure, can increase the risk of serious problems when drinking alcohol while on metoprolol.