Two medicines, side by side
Digoxin vs metoprolol
Digoxin and metoprolol are both labeled for heart failure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of digoxin since 1954 and of metoprolol since 1978. Pharmacies paid $0.133 per digoxin 125 mcg tablet and $0.085 per metoprolol succ ER 100 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Metoprolol's other strengths are brand-only: $1.20 per mL (Lopressor 10 mg/mL oral solution). In FDA's classes, digoxin is a cardiac glycoside and metoprolol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
Check it at the source: the digoxin FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 5, 2024); the metoprolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 3, 2026).
Highlights of the digoxin record
Digoxin (Lanoxin) · label of December 5, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsLANOXIN is a cardiac glycoside indicated for: Treatment of mild to moderate heart failure in adults. ( 1.1 ) Increasing myocardial contractility in pediatric patients with heart failure. ( 1.2 ) Control of resting ventricular rate in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation in adults. ( 1.3 ) 1.1 Heart Failure in Adults LANOXIN is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate heart failure in adults. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 16, 1954
- Generic labelers
- 26 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.133 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 4
Highlights of the metoprolol record
Metoprolol (Lopressor) · label of March 3, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsTOPROL-XL, metoprolol succinate, is a beta-adrenergic blocker indicated for the treatment of: Hypertension, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. ( 1.1 ) Angina Pectoris. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 7, 1978
- Generic labelers
- 74 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.085 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 39
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Digoxin label of December 5, 2024, Metoprolol label of March 3, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do digoxin and metoprolol differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, digoxin is a cardiac glycoside and metoprolol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
How each works, in its label's words: Digoxin, “This enzyme, the “sodium pump,” is responsible for maintaining the intracellular milieu throughout the body by moving sodium ions out of and potassium ions into cells.”; Metoprolol, “Metoprolol is a beta 1 -selective (cardioselective) adrenergic receptor blocking agent.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Digoxin, “In healthy volunteers with normal renal function, digoxin has a half-life of 1.5-2 days.”; Metoprolol, “Elimination Elimination is mainly by biotransformation in the liver, and the plasma half-life ranges from approximately …”
Generics: digoxin since 1975; metoprolol since 1993 (Drugs@FDA).
| Digoxin | Metoprolol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Heart failure, Atrial fibrillation | High blood pressure, Angina, Heart failure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease |
| Pharmacologic class | Cardiac Glycoside | beta-Adrenergic Blocker |
| How it works (label) | All of digoxin’s actions are mediated through its effects on Na-K ATPase. This enzyme, the “sodium pump,” is responsible for maintaining the intracellular milieu throughout the body by moving sodium ions out of and potassium ions into … | Metoprolol is a beta 1 -selective (cardioselective) adrenergic receptor blocking agent. |
| Half-life (label) | In healthy volunteers with normal renal function, digoxin has a half-life of 1.5-2 days. | Elimination Elimination is mainly by biotransformation in the liver, and the plasma half-life ranges from approximately 3 to 7 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 16, 1954 | August 7, 1978 |
| First generic approved | October 24, 1975 | December 21, 1993 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 26 labelers | 74 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.133 per tablet (Digoxin 125 mcg tablet) | $0.085 per tablet (Metoprolol succ ER 100 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +20% | -8% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 4 | 39 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 71,335 | 353,609 |
| 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 digoxin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions