mexiletine vs propranolol
Side-by-side comparison of mexiletine 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
A variety of antiarrhythmics such as quinidine or propranolol were also added, sometimes with improved control of ventricular ectopy. ECG intervals (PR, QRS, and QT) were not affected by concurrent mexiletine and digoxin, diuretics, or propranolol.
Recommendation: Your doctor may combine these drugs to better manage your heart rhythm, but they will likely monitor your heart's activity.
Mexitil
Inderal
Mexiletine is a medicine used to treat life-threatening heart rhythm problems. It helps to stabilize your heartbeat.
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.
Mexiletine is used to treat serious, life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias, like sustained ventricular tachycardia. These are problems with the rhythm of the lower chambers of your heart. It is generally not recommended for less severe arrhythmias or asymptomatic premature ventricular contractions.
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.
Mexiletine belongs to a class of drugs called antiarrhythmics. It works by slowing down the electrical signals in your heart. This helps to make your heartbeat more regular.
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.
- • Nausea
- • Vomiting
- • Heartburn
- • Dizziness
- • Lightheadedness
- • Tiredness
- • Dizziness
- • Nausea
- • Vomiting
- • Diarrhea
- Tiredness 31
- Fast heartbeat in the lower heart chambers 30
- Shortness of breath 26
- Feeling sick to your stomach 24
- Not sleeping well 24
- 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
Mexiletine may increase the risk of death or cardiac arrest in some patients with a history of heart attack. It should only be used for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias. This medicine can also cause liver problems, especially if you have congestive heart failure or ischemia.
Propranolol is contraindicated in people with cardiogenic shock, very slow heart rate, asthma, or those who are allergic to it.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. The effects of mexiletine during pregnancy are not fully known. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medicine while pregnant or breastfeeding.
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 propranolol with
How to Read This mexiletine vs propranolol Comparison
mexiletine is classified in the Class IB Antiarrhythmic 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, mexiletine has 135 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 these two heart medicines can be used together to help control irregular heartbeats without changing the heart's electrical timing.. 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 mexiletine 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.