My husband has been on Metoprolol since his heart attack 3 years ago. We went to pick up his pescription (which the doctor called in) yesterday and he went to take it tonight and it is for Metoprolol Tart. What is the difference and should he take it without consulting with the doctor?

One just enters the blood stream faster and stays in the system longer. They are basically the same, it's just the delivery in the body that is different.

They are interchangeable.

Whenever you come across any discrepancy in your doctor's prescription, it is always wide to get it clarified from your doctor's office itself.

However, in this instance, as J_9 has written, metoprolol succinate comes in delayed-release capsules, though its action is the same.

Metoprolol tartrate comes in the conventional release form.