Two medicines, side by side
Colestipol vs propranolol
Colestipol is labeled for high cholesterol; propranolol for high blood pressure, angina and atrial fibrillation. Their labels share no use, so they are not alternatives to each other. Drugs@FDA records approvals of colestipol since 1977 and of propranolol since 1967. Pharmacies paid $0.658 per colestipol HCl 1 g 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, colestipol is a bile acid sequestrant and propranolol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
Check it at the source: the colestipol FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 19, 2024); the propranolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 15, 2026).
Highlights of the colestipol record
Colestipol (Colestid) · label of February 19, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsSince no drug is innocuous, strict attention should be paid to the indications and contraindications, particularly when selecting drugs for chronic long-term use. Colestipol hydrochloride tablets are indicated as adjunctive therapy to diet for the reduction of elevated serum total and LDL-C in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia (elevated LDL-C) who do not respond adequately to diet. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 4, 1977
- Generic labelers
- 8 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.658 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
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 (Colestipol label of February 19, 2024, Propranolol label of January 15, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do colestipol and propranolol differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, colestipol is a bile acid sequestrant and propranolol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
Generics: colestipol since 2006; propranolol since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Colestipol | Propranolol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High cholesterol | High blood pressure, Angina, Atrial fibrillation, Migraine |
| Pharmacologic class | Bile Acid Sequestrant | 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) | n/a | The plasma half-life of propranolol is from 3 to 6 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 4, 1977 | November 13, 1967 |
| First generic approved | May 2, 2006 | July 30, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 8 labelers | 42 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.658 per tablet (Colestipol HCl 1 g tablet) | $0.0493 per tablet (Propranolol 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -0.7% | -17% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 4 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 2,599 | 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Colestipol label, drug interactionsRepeated doses of colestipol hydrochloride given prior to a single dose of propranolol in human trials have been reported to decrease propranolol absorption.
Propranolol label, drug interactionsLipid Lowering Drugs Co-administration of cholestyramine or colestipol with propranolol resulted in up to 50% decrease in propranolol concentrations.
Propranolol label, drug interactionsCholestyramine and Colestipol: Co-administered cholestyramine or colestipol significantly reduces the plasma concentrations of co-administered propranolol which may result in loss of efficacy [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.7 )].
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to colestipol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions