Metoprolol (& Beta Blockers) Weird Side Effects (& Why They Occur)

Metoprolol (& Beta Blockers) Weird Side Effects (& Why They Occur)

Metoprolol is a beta blocker used to treat hypertension, anginal chest pain, congestive heart failure and myocardial infarction. It, like other beta blockers, acts to inhibit or “block” the binding of catecholamines (like epinephrine and norepinephrine) to the beta 1 receptor in the heart, reducing heart rate and reducing renin release to ultimately reduce blood pressure. However, due to this mechanism, beta blockers can cause a wide variety of side effects, which we discuss in this lesson.