Metoprolol vs Propranolol: what is the difference?
Propranolol blocks beta-1 and beta-2 receptors alike and enters the brain readily, while metoprolol aims mainly at the heart's beta-1 receptors.
Sources and notes
- The sentence under the titlefrom sourceMoleculeFinder comparison notesThe pair's answer line.
- The two drawingscomputedMoleculeFinder rule (RDKit MCS)Drawn the same way round on the skeleton they share. Aligned; 8 atoms differ, too many to mark as one group.
- Structural similaritycomputedRDKit Morgan/Tanimoto0.45 of 1, a Morgan fingerprint Tanimoto coefficient. It measures shape, not effect.
Side by side
| Metoprolol | Propranolol | |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular weightCalculated PubChem | 267.36 g/molC15H25NO3 | 259.34 g/molC16H21NO2 |
| Hydrogen-bond donorsCalculated PubChem | 2 | 2 |
| FamilyEditorial MoleculeFinder curated | Beta blockers | Beta blockers |
| Everyday groupEditorial MoleculeFinder curated | Prescription medicine | Prescription medicine |
| Chemical groupsCalculated Found by rule (RDKit) | Alcohols, Amines, Aromatics, Ethers | Alcohols, Amines, Aromatics, Ethers |
| Hazard labelReported ECHA via PubChem | Danger | Warning |
| The supplier-filed hazard label's signal word, not a statement about ordinary use. | ||
Sources and notes
- Molecular weightcomputedPubChemComputed from the structure; the formula is under each weight.
- Hydrogen-bond donorscomputedPubChemThe hydrogens on nitrogen or oxygen that each molecule can lend to a hydrogen bond, counted from its structure.
- Familyfrom sourceMoleculeFinder curated
- Everyday groupfrom sourceMoleculeFinder curated
- Chemical groupscomputedFound by rule (RDKit)Each group is found in the structure by a chemical pattern.
- Hazard labelfrom sourceECHA via PubChem
- ECHAfrom sourceAttributionSource: European Chemicals Agency, echa.europa.eu.
- Identifiersfrom sourcePubChemPubChem CID 4171 (Metoprolol) and 4946 (Propranolol).
In more detail
Both are beta blockers. Propranolol blocks beta-1 and beta-2 receptors alike, so alongside slowing the heart it also acts on airway and peripheral vessels, which is why it is used for tremor, migraine prevention and performance anxiety and why it is avoided in asthma. Metoprolol is relatively beta-1 selective, aiming at the heart and leaving the airways comparatively alone, though that selectivity fades at higher amounts. Propranolol is also far more fat-soluble, so it enters the brain readily, which is part of why it has a role in anxiety that metoprolol largely lacks. Metoprolol is the heavier at 267.36 against 259.34.
Sources and notes
- The paragraphfrom sourceMoleculeFinder comparison notes
Questions
- What is the difference between Metoprolol and Propranolol?
- Propranolol blocks beta-1 and beta-2 receptors alike and enters the brain readily, while metoprolol aims mainly at the heart's beta-1 receptors.
- Is Metoprolol bigger than Propranolol?
- Metoprolol is the heavier molecule, 267.36 g/mol against 259.34 g/mol for Propranolol. Metoprolol is C15H25NO3 and Propranolol is C16H21NO2.
Sources and notes
- The answersfrom sourceMoleculeFinderThe first is the pair's answer line; the others are read off the table above.