
Interestingly, the men who reported ED were treated using either tadalafil (the active ingredient in the ED medication Cialis®) or a non-therapeutic placebo.

In comparison, only 13 percent of the men in the second group (partially informed) and eight percent of the men in the third group (uninformed) reported ED. The men in the third group weren’t informed about the medication they were given or about any of its side effects.Īfter 60 days of treatment, 32 percent of the men in the first group (fully informed) reported ED as a side effect of metoprolol. The second group was partially informed, meaning they were told that they would receive metoprolol but weren’t informed about any ED risk. The first group was told that they were being treated with metoprolol and that metoprolol could potentially cause erectile dysfunction. In the study, 114 men were prescribed metoprolol to treat hypertension. While these might suggest that there’s a clear link between metoprolol and ED, other research has found that the connection might be more psychological than physical.įor example, one study of men with arterial hypertension found that their reaction to metoprolol differed based on whether or not they were told that the medication could cause ED before they started treatment. Several studies have found that men who use metoprolol may experience difficulties related to getting and maintaining an erection.įor example, one study published in Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology found that men with high blood pressure who used metoprolol had lower average scores on an erectile function survey than men who used other treatments.Ī different study published in the Annals of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery concluded that use of beta-blockers, including metoprolol, increases the risk of erectile dysfunction in men with ischemic heart disease. Common side effects of metoprolol include:īecause beta-blockers such as metoprolol affect your blood pressure, they may cause erectile dysfunction. However, like many other medications, they can cause side effects. Used as prescribed, medications like metoprolol can improve your general health and quality of life if you have a cardiovascular health issue.īeta-blockers like metoprolol are safe and effective for most people. Beta-blockers like metoprolol also help to relax your blood vessels and reduce blood pressure throughout your body. This helps block the effects of hormones such as adrenaline, which typically cause your heart to beat faster and harder.Īfter you take a beta-blocker such as metoprolol, your heart will typically beat slower and with better electrical conduction. Metoprolol is often used alongside other medications to treat other cardiovascular health issues, including heart failure.Īs a cardioselective beta-blocker, metoprolol works by latching onto the beta-1 receptors that are found in your heart cells. It’s also prescribed after myocardial infarction, or heart attack, to improve survival and reduce the risk of complications.

It’s marketed under a variety of brand names, including Lopressor®.Ĭurrently, metoprolol is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and angina, a type of chest pain caused by a poor supply of oxygen-rich blood to your heart. Metoprolol is a type of beta-blocker medication. We’ve also explained what you can do to treat ED and improve your sexual performance if you are prescribed beta-blocker medications such as metoprolol. Below, we’ve provided more information about metoprolol and how it works as a treatment for high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease, as well as its risk of causing side effects such as ED.
