Can Toprol XL (Metoprolol Succinate ER) Be Cut In Half?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate ER) tablets can be cut.
Can Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate extended-release) be cut in half?
Aug 19, 2022- Toprol XL tablets can be safely cut in half because they contain tiny pellets that work independently to deliver the medication over time. The split tablet must be swallowed whole without chewing or crushing, as doing so will destroy the extended-release mechanism. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist before splitting any medication, even though Toprol XL is one of the few extended-release drugs that can be safely divided.
Answer
Thanks for contacting us! Yes, Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate extended-release) can be cut or split in half. In fact, the tablets have a 'score' line, and the drug is one of the few extended-release medications that are able to be cut safely due to how the extended-release mechanism of metoprolol succinate works.
Metoprolol ER Release Mechanism
For most extended-release medications, altering the tablet/capsule will destroy the extended-release mechanism, causing the entire dose to be delivered at once, which can increase the risk of overdose and side effects. This is not the case for metoprolol ER (generic for Toprol-XL), however.
Each Metoprolol ER tablet contains a large number of tiny controlled release pellets, which are evenly dispersed throughout the tablet. Each pellet acts as a separate drug delivery unit, which allows the tablet to be cut in half as the pellets will be unaffected with one cut.
The diagram below shows the inside of metoprolol ER tablets, showing the pellets that each contain the active ingredient (metoprolol):
It is important to note however that the split tablet should be swallowed whole, without chewing or crushing. Crushing or chewing the tablets will destroy the extended-release properties of the drug.
Final Words
Thanks again for reaching out to us! Please be sure to always ask your doctor or pharmacist before cutting or splitting tablets. Metoprolol is one of the few exceptions where it's okay to split an extended-release drug.
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Metoprolol succinate
- A type of beta-blocker medication used to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions.
- Extended-release
- A medication formulation designed to slowly release the drug into your body over many hours instead of all at once.
- Score line
- A groove or indentation on a tablet that makes it easier to break the pill in half accurately.
- Controlled release pellets
- Tiny spheres inside a tablet that each slowly release small amounts of medication at different times.
- Active ingredient
- The chemical component in a medication that actually produces the therapeutic effect on your body.
- Overdose
- Taking too much of a medication, which can cause serious harm or dangerous side effects.
- Side effects
- Unwanted reactions or symptoms that occur in addition to the intended effect of a medication.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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