METOPROLOL

78/100 · Elevated

Manufactured by Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Metoprolol Adverse Events: High Serious Reaction Rate

463,809 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About METOPROLOL

METOPROLOL is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc.. Based on analysis of 463,809 FDA adverse event reports, METOPROLOL has a safety score of 78 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for METOPROLOL include FATIGUE, DYSPNOEA, DIARRHOEA, NAUSEA, DRUG INEFFECTIVE. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for METOPROLOL.

AI Safety Analysis

Metoprolol has a safety concern score of 78 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 463,809 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc..

The most commonly reported adverse events include Fatigue, Dyspnoea, Diarrhoea. Of classified reports, 70.2% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Metoprolol reports include a high percentage of serious adverse events, particularly respiratory and cardiovascular issues.

The most common reactions are fatigue, dyspnea, and diarrhea, indicating a broad range of potential side effects. Drug interactions and off-label use are also frequently reported, highlighting the need for careful monitoring.

Patients taking Metoprolol should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Metoprolol can interact with various drugs, including beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and anticoagulants. Off-label use is also a concern. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 78/100

Metoprolol received a safety concern score of 78/100 (high concern). This is based on a 70.2% serious event ratio across 246,170 classified reports. The score accounts for 463,809 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

FATIGUE15,964 reports
DYSPNOEA14,127 reports
DIARRHOEA13,636 reports
NAUSEA13,396 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE12,521 reports
DIZZINESS11,699 reports
OFF LABEL USE9,794 reports
DEATH9,738 reports
ASTHENIA9,410 reports
PAIN9,107 reports
FALL9,085 reports
HEADACHE8,835 reports
HYPOTENSION7,534 reports
VOMITING7,129 reports
PNEUMONIA7,103 reports
ARTHRALGIA6,778 reports
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION6,684 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED6,450 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY6,382 reports
MALAISE6,376 reports
HYPERTENSION6,049 reports
COUGH5,976 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY5,882 reports
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION5,869 reports
RENAL FAILURE5,548 reports
RASH5,411 reports
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE5,353 reports
PRURITUS5,304 reports
DECREASED APPETITE5,210 reports
CHEST PAIN5,117 reports
ANAEMIA5,045 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED4,826 reports
DRUG INTERACTION4,667 reports
BACK PAIN4,660 reports
CONSTIPATION4,634 reports
PYREXIA4,565 reports
INSOMNIA4,480 reports
ANXIETY4,466 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED4,327 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION4,171 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE4,129 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN4,064 reports
DEHYDRATION3,993 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER3,860 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING3,817 reports
CARDIAC FAILURE CONGESTIVE3,814 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED3,771 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL3,723 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL3,713 reports
CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT3,606 reports
COMPLETED SUICIDE3,486 reports
DEPRESSION3,458 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION3,411 reports
TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS3,344 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE3,312 reports
GASTROINTESTINAL HAEMORRHAGE3,311 reports
SYNCOPE3,302 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS3,278 reports
SOMNOLENCE3,162 reports
BRADYCARDIA3,135 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT3,086 reports
BLOOD GLUCOSE INCREASED3,069 reports
HAEMOGLOBIN DECREASED3,036 reports
ALOPECIA3,012 reports
MYALGIA3,009 reports
HEART RATE INCREASED2,996 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE2,915 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS2,819 reports
CARDIAC DISORDER2,783 reports
TREMOR2,751 reports
PALPITATIONS2,728 reports
COVID 192,667 reports
CONTUSION2,611 reports
MUSCULAR WEAKNESS2,580 reports
PARAESTHESIA2,535 reports
SEPSIS2,499 reports
LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS2,490 reports
FLUSHING2,484 reports
HYPERHIDROSIS2,457 reports
MEMORY IMPAIRMENT2,451 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA2,405 reports
CARDIAC FAILURE2,363 reports
ERYTHEMA2,296 reports
RENAL IMPAIRMENT2,293 reports
GASTROOESOPHAGEAL REFLUX DISEASE2,266 reports
DRUG HYPERSENSITIVITY2,259 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION2,253 reports
CARDIAC ARREST2,249 reports
DRUG DOSE OMISSION2,242 reports
VISION BLURRED2,227 reports
PLATELET COUNT DECREASED2,191 reports
CHEST DISCOMFORT2,182 reports
EPISTAXIS2,135 reports
INCORRECT DOSE ADMINISTERED2,121 reports
DYSPEPSIA2,100 reports
PRODUCT USE ISSUE2,069 reports
END STAGE RENAL DISEASE2,053 reports
BLOOD CREATININE INCREASED2,047 reports
INJECTION SITE PAIN2,047 reports
TACHYCARDIA2,036 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • High percentage of serious reactions (70.2%)
  • Frequent reports of respiratory issues like pneumonia and bronchitis
  • Cardiovascular events such as atrial fibrillation and myocardial infarction are common

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 122,550, Male: 107,688, Unknown: 296. The most frequently reported age groups are age 70 (5,170 reports), age 72 (5,170 reports), age 71 (5,060 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 246,170 classified reports for METOPROLOL:

  • Serious: 172,821 reports (70.2%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 73,349 reports (29.8%)
Serious 70.2%Non-Serious 29.8%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female122,550 (53.2%)
Male107,688 (46.7%)
Unknown296 (0.1%)

Reports by Age

Age 705,170 reports
Age 725,170 reports
Age 715,060 reports
Age 735,058 reports
Age 695,044 reports
Age 745,021 reports
Age 754,896 reports
Age 764,841 reports
Age 684,827 reports
Age 774,800 reports
Age 674,723 reports
Age 664,587 reports
Age 784,545 reports
Age 654,522 reports
Age 644,355 reports
Age 794,345 reports
Age 634,235 reports
Age 804,050 reports
Age 623,966 reports
Age 613,878 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Metoprolol can interact with various drugs, including beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and anticoagulants. Off-label use is also a concern.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Metoprolol, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include fatigue, dyspnoea, diarrhoea, nausea, drug ineffective. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Monitor patients for signs of respiratory distress and cardiovascular issues, especially in elderly patients. Ensure proper dosing and avoid off-label use to reduce the risk of adverse events. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA closely monitors Metoprolol due to its high rate of serious adverse events, particularly in older adults.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Metoprolol?

The FDA has received approximately 463,809 adverse event reports associated with Metoprolol. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Metoprolol?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Metoprolol include Fatigue, Dyspnoea, Diarrhoea, Nausea, Drug Ineffective. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Fatigue (15,964 reports), Dyspnoea (14,127 reports), Diarrhoea (13,636 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Metoprolol.

What percentage of Metoprolol adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 246,170 classified reports, 172,821 (70.2%) were classified as serious and 73,349 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Metoprolol (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Metoprolol break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 122,550, Male: 107,688, Unknown: 296. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Metoprolol?

The most frequently reported age groups for Metoprolol adverse events are: age 70: 5,170 reports, age 72: 5,170 reports, age 71: 5,060 reports, age 73: 5,058 reports, age 69: 5,044 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Metoprolol?

The primary manufacturer associated with Metoprolol adverse event reports is Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc.. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Metoprolol?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Metoprolol include: Dizziness, Off Label Use, Death, Asthenia, Pain. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Metoprolol?

You can report adverse events from Metoprolol to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Metoprolol's safety score and what does it mean?

Metoprolol has a safety concern score of 78 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Metoprolol reports include a high percentage of serious adverse events, particularly respiratory and cardiovascular issues.

What are the key safety signals for Metoprolol?

Key safety signals identified in Metoprolol's adverse event data include: High percentage of serious reactions (70.2%). Frequent reports of respiratory issues like pneumonia and bronchitis. Cardiovascular events such as atrial fibrillation and myocardial infarction are common. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Metoprolol interact with other drugs?

Metoprolol can interact with various drugs, including beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and anticoagulants. Off-label use is also a concern. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Metoprolol.

What should patients know before taking Metoprolol?

Monitor patients for signs of respiratory distress and cardiovascular issues, especially in elderly patients. Ensure proper dosing and avoid off-label use to reduce the risk of adverse events.

Are Metoprolol side effects well-documented?

Metoprolol has 463,809 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. The most common reactions are fatigue, dyspnea, and diarrhea, indicating a broad range of potential side effects. The volume of reports for Metoprolol reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Metoprolol?

The FDA closely monitors Metoprolol due to its high rate of serious adverse events, particularly in older adults. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to METOPROLOL based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

PNEUMONIAATRIAL FIBRILLATIONMYOCARDIAL INFARCTIONHYPOTENSIONDEATH
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.