Seloken

Metoprolol is a selective beta₁ receptor blocker used in treatment of several diseases of the cardiovascular system. It is marketed under the brand name Lopressor® by Novartis, and Toprol® (in the USA), Seleken® or Selokeen® (elsewhere) by "Betaloc®" AstraZeneca and as Corvitol® by Berlin-Chemie AG. Generic brands marketed in the Australasian region include "Minax®" Alphapharm, "Metrol®" Arrow and "Metohexal®" Hexal.

It should be noted that Lopressor® refers to metoprolol tartrate, while Toprol® refers to metoprolol succinate, the sustained-release formulation.

Properties:

• Cardioselective
• Lipophilic
• Without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity (ISA)
• Without membrane stabilizing activity
• Short half-life must be taken at least twice daily or SR preparations

Indications:

• Essential hypertension
• Arrhythmias
• Coronary heart disease (prevention of angina attacks)
• Secondary prevention after a myocardial infarction
• Low dosed treatment of some forms of heart failure (see MERIT-HF study¹)
• Migraine prophylaxis
• Adjunct in treatment of hyperthyroidism

In the United States and most other countries, this medication is available only by prescription.

References

1. "Effect of metoprolol CR/XL in chronic heart failure: Metoprolol CR/XL Randomised Intervention Trial in Congestive Heart Failure (MERIT-HF)" Lancet. 1999 Jun 12;353(9169):2001-7. PMID 10376614.