fluvoxamine vs propranolol

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Side-by-side comparison of fluvoxamine 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

Propranolol or Metoprolol: Reduce dose if coadministered with fluvoxamine and titrate more cautiously ( 7.3 ) . Based on a finding of substantial interactions of fluvoxamine with certain of these drugs (see later parts of this section and also WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS [ 5 ] for details) and limited in vitro data for CYP3A4, it appears that fluvoxamine inhibits several cytochrome P450 isoenzymes that are known to be involved in the metabolism of other drugs such as: CYP1A2 (e.g., warfarin, theophylline, propranolol, tizanidine), CYP2C9 (e.g., warfarin), CYP3A4 (e.g., alprazolam), and...

Drug Class
fluvoxamine Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)
propranolol Non-Selective Beta-Blocker
Type
fluvoxamine Prescription
propranolol Prescription
Summary
fluvoxamine

Fluvoxamine is a medicine that can help treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). It belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

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
fluvoxamine

Fluvoxamine is used to treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD involves having constant, unwanted thoughts or behaviors that you feel the need to repeat. These thoughts or actions can cause you distress and interfere with your daily life.

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
fluvoxamine

Fluvoxamine works by increasing the amount of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a chemical that helps regulate mood. By increasing serotonin, fluvoxamine can help reduce the symptoms of OCD.

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
fluvoxamine
  • Abnormal ejaculation
  • Loss of appetite
  • Problems having an orgasm
  • Weakness
  • Diarrhea
propranolol
  • Tiredness
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
FAERS Reports
fluvoxamine
  • Drug Interaction 215
  • Nausea 117
  • Somnolence 114
  • Anxiety 103
  • Suicidal Ideation 96
propranolol
  • Nausea 4,279
  • Headache 3,785
  • Fatigue 3,752
  • Diarrhoea 3,119
  • Dizziness 3,102
Serious Warnings
fluvoxamine

Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children, teenagers, and young adults. Tell your doctor right away if you have any sudden changes in mood, behavior, thoughts, or feelings, especially if they are new, get worse, or worry you. Watch for suicidal thoughts or actions. Families and caregivers should also be aware of these risks.

propranolol

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

Pregnancy
fluvoxamine

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Fluvoxamine may cause problems for the baby if taken during pregnancy. Fluvoxamine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.

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

How to Read This fluvoxamine vs propranolol Comparison

fluvoxamine is classified in the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) 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, fluvoxamine has 645 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 fluvoxamine blocks the liver enzymes that normally break down propranolol. this causes the levels of propranolol in your blood to rise higher than expected.. 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 fluvoxamine or propranolol.

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