Drug Comparison
For educational purposes only — a decision-support tool, not a substitute for clinical judgment.
Side-by-side rubric across 96 psychiatric medications. Every rating traces to a verbatim primary-source quote — click any cell to see it.
How to read this tool ▾
Rating scale
– Favorable / lower than class baseline
± Minimal / equivocal
+ Low / uncommon
++ Moderate / common
+++ High / very common
++++ Very high / class-outlier
Frequency vs severity
F = frequency, S = severity. Each gets its own pill colored on the same traffic-light scale: green → blue → yellow → orange → red. Click any cell for incidence percentages and NNH.
Evidence tier
A Network meta-analysis / RCT / FDA label
B Cohort / registry / pooled label data
C Expert review / textbook / case series
Sourcing
Click any cell to see the verbatim source quote and citation. Missing data shows n/a.
Data depth
++ Graded — frequency + severity, primary-source traces
+ FDA label — §6 frequency only (dashed border). Click for sub-types.
Blank — not yet checked (not “absent”)
–±++++++++++ABCF = frequency · S = severity · Dashed border = FDA label only · Click cell for details
1 drug selected — Propranolol(click to collapse)
1/4 selected
Propranolol
Inderal · Hemangeol
Beta-Adrenergic Blocker
FDA-approved indications
- Hypertension (adults)
- Angina pectoris (adults)
- Migraine prophylaxis (adults)
- Hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (adults)
Off-label uses
- Performance anxiety
- PTSD
- Akathisia
Half-life3 to 6 hours
Decision GuideWhen to pick each / when to consider an alternative
Propranolol
Consider when
- Performance anxiety (stage fright) — most evidence among beta-blockers for situational performance anxiety; PRN dosing 10–40 mg
- Akathisia from antipsychotics — evidence-based treatment for antipsychotic-induced akathisia; lipophilic β-blocker crosses BBB
- Lithium-induced tremor — first-line treatment for lithium tremor; reduces amplitude without affecting lithium levels
- Migraine prophylaxis — FDA-approved for migraine prevention; useful when comorbid with anxiety or tremor
- +1 more
Consider an alternative when
- Asthma or reactive airway disease — non-selective β-blocker; contraindicated in bronchospastic disease; use cardioselective agent instead
- Bradycardia or heart block — negative chronotropic effect; may worsen pre-existing conduction disease
- Diabetes on insulin — masks hypoglycemic symptoms (tachycardia, tremor); may delay recognition of hypoglycemia
- Peripheral vascular disease or Raynaud's — β-blockade worsens peripheral circulation; cold extremities common
- +1 more
| Axis | Propranolol beta-blocker |
|---|---|
| CNS | |
Activation / insomnia | |
Fatigue / lethargy | |
| Metabolic | |
Metabolic (glucose / lipids) | |
| GI | |
Nausea / GI (general) | |
| Hepatic | |
Liver enzymes / hepatotoxicity | |
| Sexual | |
Sexual dysfunction | |
| Discontinuation | |
Withdrawal / discontinuation | |
| Drug-specific / distinctive axes | |
Bradycardia (PRIMARY pharmacological effect) only in Propranolol | |
Hypotension only in Propranolol | |