What is the Difference Between Tartrate and Succinate?

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The main difference between tartrate and succinate lies in their salt forms and the way they are released in the body. Both tartrate and succinate are salt forms of the same active ingredient, metoprolol, which belongs to a class of drugs called beta-blockers. However, they have different uses and effects:

  • Metoprolol Tartrate: This is an immediate-release tablet that must be taken several times per day. It is used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain related to heart disease, prevent a heart attack in people who have had one, and reduce the risk of death or another heart attack. It is also sometimes used off-label for other conditions such as migraine prevention.
  • Metoprolol Succinate: This is an extended-release tablet that can be taken once a day. It is used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain related to heart disease, arrhythmia, and heart failure. However, it should not be used to prevent heart attacks.

Both metoprolol tartrate and metoprolol succinate are effective in treating people with high blood pressure and angina, but they are not interchangeable due to their different dosages and indications.

Comparative Table: Tartrate vs Succinate

Metoprolol tartrate and metoprolol succinate are both beta-blockers that contain the same active medication, metoprolol, but they have different salt forms: tartrate and succinate. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences between the two:

Property Metoprolol Tartrate Metoprolol Succinate
Form Oral tablet and injectable solution Extended-release oral tablet
Strengths 25 mg, 37.5 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg (oral tablet), 5 mg/5 ml (injectable solution) 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg
Typical Length of Treatment Long-term Long-term
Indications Lower blood pressure, relieve symptoms of angina in people with heart disease, reduce the risk of death or another heart attack, and lower the risk of a heart attack in people with heart disease Lower blood pressure and relieve symptoms of angina in people with heart disease
Contraindications Should not be used to prevent heart attacks -
Storage Store at room temperature from 59°F (15°C) to 86°F (30°C) Store at room temperature from 59°F (15°C) to 86°F (30°C)

Both medications are used to lower blood pressure and heart rate, but metoprolol tartrate is also used to treat angina and prevent another heart attack from occurring. Metoprolol succinate, on the other hand, is not used to prevent heart attacks.