Two medicines, side by side
Enalapril vs propranolol
Enalapril and propranolol are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of enalapril since 1985 and of propranolol since 1967. Pharmacies paid $0.0664 per enalapril maleate 10 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, enalapril is an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and propranolol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
Check it at the source: the enalapril FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 23, 2026); the propranolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 15, 2026).
Highlights of the enalapril record
Enalapril (Vasotec) · label of January 23, 2026
FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.
When pregnancy is detected, discontinue VASOTEC ® as soon as possible.
Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus (see WARNINGS, Fetal Toxicity ).
Used for
From the label: indicationsHypertension VASOTEC is indicated for the treatment of hypertension. VASOTEC is effective alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents, especially thiazide-type diuretics. The blood pressure lowering effects of VASOTEC and thiazides are approximately additive. Heart Failure VASOTEC is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic congestive heart failure, usually in combination with diuretics and digitalis. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 24, 1985
- Generic labelers
- 28 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0664 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 17
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 (Enalapril label of January 23, 2026, Propranolol label of January 15, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do enalapril and propranolol differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, enalapril is an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and propranolol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
How each works, in its label's words: Enalapril, “Mechanism of Action Enalapril, after hydrolysis to enalaprilat, inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in human subjects and animals.”; Propranolol, “Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of propranolol has not been established.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Enalapril, “The effective half-life for accumulation of enalaprilat following multiple doses of enalapril maleate is 11 hours.”; Propranolol, “The plasma half-life of propranolol is from 3 to 6 hours.”
Only the enalapril label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: enalapril since 2000; propranolol since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Enalapril | Propranolol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Heart failure | High blood pressure, Angina, Atrial fibrillation, Migraine |
| Pharmacologic class | Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor | beta-Adrenergic Blocker |
| How it works (label) | Mechanism of Action Enalapril, after hydrolysis to enalaprilat, inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in human subjects and animals. | Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of propranolol has not been established. |
| Half-life (label) | The effective half-life for accumulation of enalaprilat following multiple doses of enalapril maleate is 11 hours. | The plasma half-life of propranolol is from 3 to 6 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 24, 1985 | November 13, 1967 |
| First generic approved | August 22, 2000 | July 30, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 28 labelers | 42 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0664 per tablet (Enalapril maleate 10 mg tablet) | $0.0493 per tablet (Propranolol 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | -17% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 17 | 4 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 60,702 | 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 enalapril
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions