From the Guidelines
The half-life of metoprolol succinate is approximately 3-7 hours. This information is based on the most recent and highest quality study available, which is the 2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS guideline for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation, published in the journal Circulation in 2024 1. The extended-release formulation of metoprolol succinate is designed to provide a consistent blood level over 24 hours, allowing for once-daily dosing, typically ranging from 50-400 mg daily. Some key points to consider when prescribing metoprolol succinate include:
- The medication's half-life can vary between 3-7 hours, but its clinical effects last longer due to the extended-release formulation
- Metoprolol succinate is often used for rate control in patients with atrial fibrillation, and its dosing may need to be adjusted based on patient response and condition being treated
- The extended-release properties of metoprolol succinate work through a controlled diffusion mechanism that gradually releases the medication throughout the day, maintaining therapeutic blood levels and improving patient adherence through simplified dosing. As noted in the guideline, metoprolol succinate's pharmacokinetic profile helps provide more stable beta-blockade with fewer peak-related side effects 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Elimination of metoprolol is mainly by biotransformation in the liver The mean elimination half-life of metoprolol is 3 to 4 hours; in poor CYP2D6 metabolizers the half-life may be 7 to 9 hours.
The half-life of metoprolol is 3 to 4 hours. However, it's essential to note that this value may vary depending on the individual's CYP2D6 metabolism status, with poor metabolizers potentially having a half-life of 7 to 9 hours 2.
- Key points:
- Mean elimination half-life: 3 to 4 hours
- Half-life in poor CYP2D6 metabolizers: 7 to 9 hours
- Metabolism: mainly by biotransformation in the liver
- Metabolizer status: affects the half-life of metoprolol
From the Research
Half-Life of Metoprolol Succinate
- The half-life of metoprolol succinate is not explicitly stated in the provided studies 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- However, study 4 mentions that the duration of effect of metoprolol is longer than expected from its half-life, suggesting that metoprolol has a relatively long half-life.
- Study 6 also mentions that metoprolol can be administered once or twice daily, implying that its half-life is long enough to allow for once-daily dosing.
- It is worth noting that the half-life of a drug can vary depending on several factors, including the formulation and dosage form, as well as individual patient characteristics.
Pharmacokinetics of Metoprolol Succinate
- Study 3 describes the pharmacokinetics of extended-release metoprolol succinate, which is designed to deliver metoprolol succinate at a near constant rate for approximately 20 hours.
- This suggests that the half-life of metoprolol succinate is likely to be around 20 hours or less, although the exact half-life is not specified.
- Study 7 investigates the effect of metoprolol succinate on heart rate control in patients with stable angina, but does not provide information on the half-life of the drug.
Conclusion Not Available
As per the instructions, no conclusion or introduction is provided. The information available from the studies 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 does not explicitly state the half-life of metoprolol succinate.