Two medicines, side by side
Guanfacine vs propranolol
Guanfacine and propranolol are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of guanfacine since 1986 and of propranolol since 1967. Pharmacies paid $0.147 per guanfacine 1 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, guanfacine is a central alpha-2 adrenergic agonist and propranolol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
Check it at the source: the guanfacine FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 23, 2025); the propranolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 15, 2026).
Highlights of the guanfacine record
Guanfacine (Intuniv) · label of June 23, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsINTUNIV ® is indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as monotherapy and as adjunctive therapy to stimulant medications [see Clinical Studies (14) ]. INTUNIV is a central alpha 2A -adrenergic receptor agonist indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as monotherapy and as adjunctive therapy to stimulant medications ( 1 , 14 ).
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 27, 1986
- Generic labelers
- 36 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.147 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 1
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 (Guanfacine label of June 23, 2025, Propranolol label of January 15, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do guanfacine and propranolol differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, guanfacine is a central alpha-2 adrenergic agonist and propranolol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
How each works, in its label's words: Guanfacine, “Guanfacine is a central alpha 2A -adrenergic receptor agonist.”; Propranolol, “Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of propranolol has not been established.”
Generics: guanfacine since 1995; propranolol since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Guanfacine | Propranolol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | ADHD, High blood pressure | High blood pressure, Angina, Atrial fibrillation, Migraine |
| Pharmacologic class | Central alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist | beta-Adrenergic Blocker |
| How it works (label) | Guanfacine is a central alpha 2A -adrenergic receptor agonist. Guanfacine is not a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. The mechanism of action of guanfacine in ADHD is not known. | 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) | October 27, 1986 | November 13, 1967 |
| First generic approved | October 17, 1995 | July 30, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 36 labelers | 42 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.147 per tablet (Guanfacine 1 mg tablet) | $0.0493 per tablet (Propranolol 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -5% | -17% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 4 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 7,825 | 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 guanfacine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions