Two medicines, side by side
Bisoprolol vs propranolol
Bisoprolol and propranolol are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of bisoprolol since 1992 and of propranolol since 1967. Pharmacies paid $0.114 per bisoprolol fumarate 5 mg tablet and $0.0493 per propranolol 20 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the bisoprolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 11, 2026); the propranolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 15, 2026).
Highlights of the bisoprolol record
Bisoprolol (Zebeta) · label of March 11, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsBisoprolol fumarate tablets are indicated in the management of hypertension. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 31, 1992
- Generic labelers
- 24 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.114 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Highlights of the propranolol record
Propranolol (Inderal) · label of January 15, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsHypertension Propranolol hydrochloride tablets are indicated in the management of hypertension. It may be used alone or used in combination with other antihypertensive agents, particularly a thiazide diuretic. Propranolol hydrochloride tablets are not indicated in the management of hypertensive emergencies. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 13, 1967
- Generic labelers
- 42 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0493 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 4
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Bisoprolol label of March 11, 2026, Propranolol label of January 15, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do bisoprolol and propranolol differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class beta-adrenergic blockers.
Half-life, in each label's words: Bisoprolol, “The plasma elimination half-life is 9 to 12 hours and is slightly longer in elderly patients, in part because of …”; Propranolol, “The plasma half-life of propranolol is from 3 to 6 hours.”
Generics: bisoprolol since 2000; propranolol since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Bisoprolol | Propranolol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure | High blood pressure, Angina, Atrial fibrillation, Migraine |
| Pharmacologic class | beta-Adrenergic Blocker | beta-Adrenergic Blocker |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of propranolol has not been established. |
| Half-life (label) | The plasma elimination half-life is 9 to 12 hours and is slightly longer in elderly patients, in part because of decreased renal function in that population. | The plasma half-life of propranolol is from 3 to 6 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 31, 1992 | November 13, 1967 |
| First generic approved | November 16, 2000 | July 30, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 24 labelers | 42 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.114 per tablet (Bisoprolol fumarate 5 mg tablet) | $0.0493 per tablet (Propranolol 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -39% | -17% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 4 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 135,060 | 71,660 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to bisoprolol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions