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haloperidol vs propranolol

Side-by-side comparison of haloperidol 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

Neuroleptic Drugs Hypotension and cardiac arrest have been reported with the concomitant use of propranolol and haloperidol.

Recommendation: Your doctor should monitor your heart rate and blood pressure very closely if you take these together.

Drug Class
haloperidol Typical Antipsychotic
propranolol Non-Selective Beta-Blocker
Type
haloperidol Prescription
propranolol Prescription
Summary
haloperidol

Haloperidol is a medicine used to treat mental disorders. It can help reduce symptoms like hallucinations and confused thinking.

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
haloperidol

Haloperidol is used to manage symptoms of psychotic disorders. It can also control tics and vocal sounds in people with Tourette's Disorder. In children, it can treat severe behavior problems like being combative or overly excitable when other treatments haven't worked. It can also be used short-term for hyperactive children with impulsivity and difficulty paying attention.

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
haloperidol

Haloperidol works by changing the effect of certain natural chemicals in the brain. These chemicals, called neurotransmitters, affect mood and behavior. By blocking dopamine, haloperidol helps to reduce psychotic symptoms.

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
haloperidol
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Shaking
  • Slow movement
  • Restlessness
  • Changes in heart rhythm
propranolol
  • Tiredness
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
FAERS Reports
haloperidol
  • The medicine is interacting with another medicine 1,663
  • A rare, life-threatening reaction to the drug 1,577
  • Weight gain 1,216
  • Movement problems 1,200
  • Poisoning from different substances 999
propranolol
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 4,279
  • Pain in your head 3,784
  • Feeling very tired 3,752
  • Loose, watery stools 3,121
  • Feeling lightheaded or unsteady 3,102
Serious Warnings
haloperidol

Haloperidol may increase the risk of death in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis. Haloperidol is not approved to treat dementia-related psychosis.

propranolol

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

Pregnancy
haloperidol

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Haloperidol may cause side effects in newborns if taken during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking haloperidol while breastfeeding.

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 haloperidol with

Compare propranolol with

How to Read This haloperidol vs propranolol Comparison

haloperidol is classified in the Typical Antipsychotic 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, haloperidol has 6,655 submissions while propranolol has 18,038. 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 can lower blood pressure and affect the heart's rhythm, which can lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure or heart failure.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between haloperidol and propranolol - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.