Two medicines, side by side
Carvedilol vs propranolol
Carvedilol and propranolol are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of carvedilol since 1995 and of propranolol since 1967. Pharmacies paid $0.0179 per carvedilol 6.25 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. In FDA's classes, carvedilol is an alpha-adrenergic blocker and propranolol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
Check it at the source: the carvedilol FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 31, 2026); the propranolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 15, 2026).
Highlights of the carvedilol record
Carvedilol (Coreg) · label of July 31, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsINDICATIONS AND USAGE COREG is an alpha-/beta-adrenergic blocking agent indicated for the treatment of: mild to severe chronic heart failure ( 1.1 ) left ventricular dysfunction following myocardial infarction in clinically stable patients ( 1.2 ) hypertension ( 1.3 ) 1.1 Heart Failure COREG is indicated for the treatment of mild-to-severe chronic heart failure of ischemic or cardiomyopathic origin, usually in […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 14, 1995
- Generic labelers
- 41 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0179 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 22
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 (Carvedilol label of July 31, 2026, Propranolol label of January 15, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do carvedilol and propranolol differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, carvedilol is an alpha-adrenergic blocker and propranolol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
How each works, in its label's words: Carvedilol, “COREG is a racemic mixture in which nonselective β-adrenoreceptor blocking activity is present in the S(-) enantiomer and α1-adrenergic blocking activity is present in both R(+) and S(-) enantiomers …”; Propranolol, “Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of propranolol has not been established.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Carvedilol, “Following oral administration, the apparent mean terminal elimination half-life of carvedilol generally ranges from 7 …”; Propranolol, “The plasma half-life of propranolol is from 3 to 6 hours.”
Generics: carvedilol since 2007; propranolol since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Carvedilol | Propranolol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Heart failure, High blood pressure | High blood pressure, Angina, Atrial fibrillation, Migraine |
| Pharmacologic class | alpha-Adrenergic Blocker, beta-Adrenergic Blocker | beta-Adrenergic Blocker |
| How it works (label) | COREG is a racemic mixture in which nonselective β-adrenoreceptor blocking activity is present in the S(-) enantiomer and α1-adrenergic blocking activity is present in both R(+) and S(-) enantiomers at equal potency. | Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of propranolol has not been established. |
| Half-life (label) | Following oral administration, the apparent mean terminal elimination half-life of carvedilol generally ranges from 7 to 10 hours. | The plasma half-life of propranolol is from 3 to 6 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | September 14, 1995 | November 13, 1967 |
| First generic approved | September 5, 2007 | July 30, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 41 labelers | 42 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0179 per tablet (Carvedilol 6.25 mg tablet) | $0.0493 per tablet (Propranolol 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -4% | -17% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 22 | 4 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 137,029 | 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 carvedilol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions