Propranolol: study card

Propranolol — Non-selective beta-adrenergic blocker. Study the mechanism, listed uses and warnings from the US label on one sourced card.

Generic name: Propranolol
Class: Non-selective beta-adrenergic blocker
Mechanism: Nonselective beta blockade generally reduces myocardial oxygen demand in angina. Its antihypertensive mechanism is not established; reduced cardiac output, renin release and sympathetic outflow may contribute.
Used for: Hypertension and angina pectoris; Ventricular-rate control in atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response; Reduction of cardiovascular mortality after the acute phase of myocardial infarction in clinically stable patients; Migraine prophylaxis and essential tremor
Common side effects: Bradycardia; Fatigue / lassitude; Light-headedness; Nausea / vomiting; Vivid dreams
Warnings: Contraindicated in cardiogenic shock; Contraindicated in sinus bradycardia, >1st-degree block; Contraindicated in bronchial asthma; Abrupt discontinuation can worsen angina or precipitate myocardial infarction; the label calls for gradual withdrawal under medical supervision
Interactions: CYP2D6 / 1A2 / 2C19 inhibitors; Enzyme inducers (rifampin, phenytoin); Antiarrhythmics (propafenone)

Brand questions use only name pairings verified against the linked product source. Unverified pairings are withheld from these questions; the other study content remains available.

Drug class families: Beta-adrenergic blockers

Read the source label ↗

Label date: 20260826 · For learning, not clinical decisions. US label and brand information; always consult the current source.

Source snapshot checked: 2026-10-21. The source document and selected fields were compared. The complete card has not had an independent clinical review.

Practice

Pronunciation

Propranolol: proe-PRAN-oh-lol

Shared name ending: -olol · Metoprolol, Atenolol, Nebivolol, Bisoprolol

Pronunciation is shown for the US English generic name. A name ending is a memory cue, not a classification rule.

Other drugs in the same class

Beta-adrenergic blockers: Nebivolol, Timolol maleate (ophthalmic), Bisoprolol, Labetalol, Dorzolamide / Timolol, Metoprolol, Carvedilol, Atenolol

Body system

Cardiovascular · 47 Drug cards

Compare with related cards

Atenolol

Same class family: Beta-adrenergic blockers

Mechanism: Beta-1 selective adrenergic blocker without membrane stabilizing or intrinsic sympathomimetic activity; selectivity lost at higher doses.

On both cards: Common side effects — Bradycardia · Warnings — Contraindicated in sinus bradycardia, >1st-degree block

Only on the Atenolol card: Used for — Hypertension · Common side effects — Tiredness / fatigue; Dizziness; Cold extremities; Depression · Warnings — Contraindicated in cardiogenic shock / overt failure · Interactions — Catecholamine depletors (reserpine); Calcium channel blockers, disopyramide, amiodarone; Clonidine withdrawal

Metoprolol

Same class family: Beta-adrenergic blockers

Mechanism: Beta-1 selective (cardioselective) adrenergic receptor blocker without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity; blocks beta-2 at higher levels.

On both cards: Common side effects — Bradycardia

Only on the Metoprolol card: Used for — Hypertension in adults; Long-term angina pectoris treatment to reduce attacks and improve exercise tolerance; Reduction of cardiovascular mortality in hemodynamically stable patients with definite or suspected acute myocardial infarction · Common side effects — Tiredness; Dizziness; Depression; Shortness of breath · Warnings — Abrupt cessation may worsen ischemia; Worsening heart failure; May mask hypoglycemia · Interactions — Catecholamine-depleting drugs; CYP2D6 inhibitors; Digoxin, clonidine, diltiazem, verapamil

Carvedilol

Same class family: Beta-adrenergic blockers

Mechanism: Racemic mixture: nonselective beta-blockade from the S(-) enantiomer and alpha-1 blockade from both enantiomers; no intrinsic sympathomimetic activity.

On both cards: Common side effects — Bradycardia

Only on the Carvedilol card: Used for — Mild-to-severe chronic heart failure of ischemic or cardiomyopathic origin, usually with other heart-failure medicines; Reduction of cardiovascular mortality in clinically stable survivors of acute myocardial infarction with LVEF at or below 40%; Essential hypertension · Common side effects — Dizziness; Fatigue; Hypotension; Hyperglycemia · Warnings — Do not abruptly discontinue; Bronchial asthma / bronchospastic conditions; May mask hypoglycemia · Interactions — CYP2D6 inhibitors, rifampin; Digoxin, cyclosporine; Clonidine, reserpine, MAO inhibitors

An item counts as shared only when both cards use the same wording. If a card does not list an item, that is not a statement that the effect never occurs.