Metyrosine: Uses, Side Effects, Dosage - Drugvu

ℹ️ Compiled from public regulatory records · Last regulator revision: April 14, 2026🚩 Report this page

Metyrosine

Tyrosine Hydroxylase Inhibitors

US FDA

Drug class: Tyrosine Hydroxylase Inhibitors
Availability: Prescription only
Routes: Oral
Markets covered: 1
Products on record: 1
FDA reports (12 mo): 10

Overview

Metyrosine is an active pharmaceutical ingredient in the Tyrosine Hydroxylase Inhibitors group (C02KB). The information below is compiled per regulator from the product labels on record, with direct links to the original documents.

Regulatory status by market

Market	Regulator	Products	Last revision
US United States	FDA	1	April 14, 2026

USUnited States· FDA

1 product

Uses

USOfficial regulatory label· revised April 14, 2026[1]

INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Metyrosine capsules are indicated in the treatment of patients with pheochromocytoma for: 1. Preoperative preparation of patients for surgery. 2. Management of patients when surgery is contraindicated. 3. Chronic treatment of patients with malignant pheochromocytoma.
Metyrosine capsules are not recommended for the control of essential hypertension.

How to take

Drug interactions

Known interactions involving Metyrosine. Select one for details. This list is informational and not a complete interaction checker.

Alfentanil Alprazolam Amifostine Amisulpride Amitriptyline Amobarbital Amoxapine Aripiprazole Azatadine Azelastine Baclofen Benzhydrocodone Biperiden Brexanolone Brexpiprazole Brivaracetam Bromocriptine Brompheniramine Buprenorphine Buspirone Butabarbital Butalbital Butorphanol Canagliflozin Cannabidiol Carbamazepine Carbinoxamine Cariprazine Carisoprodol Cenobamate Chlordiazepoxide Chlormezanone Chlorphenesin Chlorpheniramine Chlorpromazine Chlorzoxazone Citalopram Clemastine Clobazam Clomipramine Clonazepam Clonidine Clorazepate Codeine Cyclizine Cyclobenzaprine Cyproheptadine Dantrolene Dapagliflozin Desipramine Desvenlafaxine Deutetrabenazine Dexbrompheniramine Dexmedetomidine Dextromethorphan Dezocine Diazepam Dichloralphenazone Difenoxin Dihydrocodeine Dimenhydrinate Diphenhydramine Diphenoxylate Doxepin Doxylamine Dronabinol Droperidol Duloxetine Empagliflozin Entacapone Ertugliflozin Escitalopram Eslicarbazepine Estazolam Eszopiclone Ethanol Ethchlorvynol Ethosuximide Ethotoin Ezogabine Felbamate Fenoldopam Fentanyl Flavoxate Fluoxetine Fluphenazine Flurazepam Fluvoxamine Fosphenytoin Gabapentin Guanfacine Halazepam Haloperidol Hydrocodone Hydromorphone Hydroxyzine Iloperidone Imipramine Isocarboxazid Ketamine Lamotrigine Lasmiditan Lemborexant Levetiracetam Levorphanol Licorice Lithium Carbonate Lofexidine Lorazepam Lumateperone Lurasidone Maprotiline Meclizine Meperidine Mephenytoin Mephobarbital Meprobamate Mesoridazine Metaxalone Methadone Methdilazine Methocarbamol Methotrimeprazine Methsuximide Metoclopramide Midazolam Mirtazapine Molindone Morphine Nabilone Nalbuphine Nefazodone Nortriptyline Oliceridine Opicapone Opium Orphenadrine Oxazepam Oxcarbazepine Oxycodone Oxymorphone Paraldehyde Paramethadione Paroxetine Pentazocine Pentobarbital Pentoxifylline Perampanel Pergolide Perphenazine Phenacemide Phenelzine Phenindamine Phenobarbital Phensuximide Phenyltoloxamine Phenytoin Pramipexole Pregabalin Primidone Prochlorperazine Procyclidine Promazine Promethazine Propiomazine Protriptyline Pyrilamine Quazepam Ramelteon Rasagiline Remifentanil Remimazolam Riociguat Ropinirole Rotigotine Rufinamide Secobarbital Sertraline Sibutramine Stiripentol Sufentanil Suvorexant Tapentadol Tasimelteon Temazepam Tetrabenazine Thalidomide Thiethylperazine Thiopental Thioridazine Thiothixene Tiagabine Tizanidine Tolcapone Topiramate Tramadol Tranylcypromine Trazodone Triazolam Trifluoperazine Triflupromazine Trihexyphenidyl Trimeprazine Trimethadione Trimethobenzamide Trimipramine Tripelennamine Triprolidine Valbenazine Valproate Venlafaxine Verteporfin Vigabatrin Zaleplon Ziconotide Zolpidem Zonisamide

Interaction data compiled from DDInter (academic, CC-BY). Severity classification only - this is not a complete interaction checker and not medical advice.

Sources & citations

[1]FDA DailyMed · 027f02b1-be49-48… · revised April 14, 2026 [PDF]
[2]OpenFDA adverse-event reports (US), 12 months ending June 4, 2026.

Information on this page is compiled from public regulatory records. Drugvu is not affiliated with any regulator or pharmaceutical manufacturer. This is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Side effects & warnings

USOfficial regulatory label· Adverse reactions· revised April 14, 2026[1]

ADVERSE REACTIONS
Central Nervous System Sedation The most common adverse reaction to metyrosine is moderate to severe sedation, which has been observed in almost all patients. It occurs at both low and high dosages. Sedative effects begin within the first 24 hours of therapy, are maximal after two to three days, and tend to wane during the next few days.
Sedation usually is not obvious after one week unless the dosage is increased, but at dosages greater than 2000 mg/day some degree of sedation or fatigue may persist. In most patients who experience sedation, temporary changes in sleep pattern occur following withdrawal of the drug.
Changes consist of insomnia that may last for two or three days and feelings of increased alertness and ambition. Even patients who do not experience sedation while on metyrosine may report symptoms of psychic stimulation when the drug is discontinued.
Extrapyramidal Signs Extrapyramidal signs such as drooling, speech difficulty, and tremor have been reported in approximately 10% of patients. These occasionally have been accompanied by trismus and frank parkinsonism. Anxiety and Psychic Disturbances Anxiety and psychic disturbances such as depression, hallucinations, disorientation, and confusion may occur.
These effects seem to be dose-dependent and may disappear with reduction of dosage. Diarrhea Diarrhea occurs in about 10% of patients and may be severe. Anti-diarrheal agents may be required if continuation of metyrosine is necessary.
Miscellaneous Infrequently, slight swelling of the breast, galactorrhea, nasal stuffiness, decreased salivation, dry mouth, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and impotence or failure of ejaculation may occur. Crystalluria (see PRECAUTIONS ) and transient dysuria and hematuria have been observed in a few patients.
Hematologic disorders (including eosinophilia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and thrombocytosis), increased SGOT levels, peripheral edema, and hypersensitivity reactions such as urticaria and pharyngeal edema have been reported rarely.
gov/medwatch .

USOfficial regulatory label· Warnings and precautions· revised April 14, 2026[1]

WARNINGS
Maintain Fluid Volume During and After Surgery When metyrosine is used preoperatively, alone or especially in combination with alpha-adrenergic blocking drugs, adequate intravascular volume must be maintained intraoperatively (especially after tumor removal) and postoperatively to avoid hypotension and decreased perfusion of vital organs resulting from vasodilatation and expanded volume capacity.
Following tumor removal, large volumes of plasma may be needed to maintain blood pressure and central venous pressure within the normal range. In addition, life-threatening arrhythmias may occur during anesthesia and surgery, and may require treatment with a beta-blocker or lidocaine.
During surgery, patients should have continuous monitoring of blood pressure and electrocardiogram. Intraoperative Effects While the preoperative use of metyrosine in patients with pheochromocytoma is thought to decrease intraoperative problems with blood pressure control, metyrosine does not eliminate the danger of hypertensive crises or arrhythmias during manipulation of the tumor, and the alpha-adrenergic blocking drug, phentolamine, may be needed.
, hypnotics, sedatives, and tranquilizers (see PRECAUTIONS, Information for Patients and Drug Interactions ).

This is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional.