What is metoprolol succinate. Metoprolol succinate is the succinate salt form of metoprolol, a cardioselective competitive beta-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist with antihypertensive properties and devoid of intrinsic sympathomimetic activity. Doctors give trusted answers on uses, effects, side-effects, and cautions: Dr. Rubin on metoprolol tartrate to succinate conversion: It's an irrational combination. One is long acting and the other is short acting. Use one once a day or the other twice a day. Taking the tartrate can become a pain in the butt because you have to take it more often. Its not extended release like the succinate. You also don't get as good control with it because the blood level varies. Metoprolol Succinate is prescribed for High Blood Pressure and Tachycardia and is mostly mentioned together with these indications. Our data suggest that it is taken for A Fib, although it is not approved for this condition*. How to use Metoprolol Tartrate. See also Warning section. Take this medication by mouth, with or right after a meal, as directed by your doctor, usually 1-3 times a day. Other brands (those containing metoprolol succinate) may be taken with or without food. Follow your doctor's directions for your brand, and take it the same way at the same time each day. The difference is that Metoprolol SUCCINATE slow-releases its dose over a 24-hour period, whereas, Metoprolol TARTRATE releases over a 12-hour period. so you can either take your entire daily dose, as succinate, once a day. or. you can take tartrate twice a day with each dose being half of the total daily milligrams you need. Metoprolol, also referred to as metoprolol tartrate, is used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain, and to prevent heart attacks. Metoprolol ER, also known as metoprolol succinate, is also used to treat chest pain and high blood pressure, but unlike metoprolol, it should not be used to prevent heart attacks. Metoprolol tartrate and metoprolol succinate are both available as generic drugs. Both medications are commonly prescribed and should be available in most pharmacies.