doxazosin vs propranolol

According to this portal's Publishing Organization, this page was last reviewed in August 2026 against our methodology. Figures and extracts on this site, including tables above 1,000 rows when the corpus is that large, are the publisher's responsibility.

Side-by-side comparison of doxazosin and propranolol. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

minor Known Drug Interaction

Postural hypotension has been reported in patients taking both beta-blockers and terazosin or doxazosin.

Drug Class
doxazosin Alpha-1 Adrenergic Blocker
propranolol Non-Selective Beta-Blocker
Type
doxazosin Prescription
propranolol Prescription
Summary
doxazosin

Doxazosin is a medicine that can help lower high blood pressure and improve symptoms of an enlarged prostate in men.

propranolol

Propranolol is a medicine that can help with high blood pressure, chest pain, and other conditions. It works by blocking the effects of certain natural chemicals in your body, like adrenaline, that affect the heart and blood vessels.

What It Treats
doxazosin

Doxazosin is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks. It is also used to treat the symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate, in men.

propranolol

Propranolol tablets can treat high blood pressure. It can be used alone or with other medicines. Propranolol can also help with chest pain (angina), control fast heart rate with atrial fibrillation, improve survival after a heart attack, prevent migraine headaches, and reduce tremors. It can also help with symptoms of some tumors.

How It Works
doxazosin

Doxazosin belongs to a class of drugs called alpha-1 adrenergic blockers. It works by relaxing the muscles in the prostate and bladder neck, making it easier to urinate. It also relaxes blood vessels, which helps to lower blood pressure.

propranolol

Propranolol is a beta-blocker. It works by blocking the effects of adrenaline on your heart and blood vessels. This helps to slow down your heart rate and lower your blood pressure.

Common Side Effects
doxazosin
  • Dizziness
  • Feeling tired
  • Low blood pressure
  • Swelling
  • Runny nose
propranolol
  • Tiredness
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
FAERS Reports
doxazosin
  • Dyspnoea 1,479
  • Dizziness 1,295
  • Fatigue 1,276
  • Diarrhoea 1,237
  • Acute Kidney Injury 1,135
propranolol
  • Nausea 4,279
  • Headache 3,785
  • Fatigue 3,752
  • Diarrhoea 3,119
  • Dizziness 3,102
Serious Warnings
doxazosin

Doxazosin can cause your blood pressure to drop suddenly when you stand up, leading to dizziness or fainting. This is more likely when you first start taking it or when the dose is increased. If you are having cataract surgery, tell your doctor you are taking this medicine. Doxazosin has been linked to priapism (a painful erection lasting for hours). If this happens, seek medical attention right away.

propranolol

Propranolol is contraindicated in people with cardiogenic shock, very slow heart rate, asthma, or those who are allergic to it.

Pregnancy
doxazosin

It is not known if doxazosin can harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Doxazosin does pass into breast milk in small amounts. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you are taking doxazosin.

propranolol

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Propranolol may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking propranolol during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

Compare doxazosin with

Compare propranolol with

How to Read This doxazosin vs propranolol Comparison

doxazosin is classified in the Alpha-1 Adrenergic Blocker drug class, while propranolol sits within the Non-Selective Beta-Blocker class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, doxazosin has 6,422 submissions while propranolol has 18,037. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to both drugs lower blood pressure, which can cause a sudden drop in pressure when you stand up. this can make you feel dizzy or faint.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot represent individual circumstances. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This registry does not provide medical, treatment, substitution, or medication-change directions for doxazosin or propranolol.

Registry boundary: This comparison displays source-record fields and does not provide individualized medical direction.