Two medicines, side by side
Labetalol vs metoprolol
Labetalol and metoprolol are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of labetalol since 1984 and of metoprolol since 1978. Pharmacies paid $0.215 per labetalol HCl 300 mg 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).
Check it at the source: the labetalol FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 2, 2026); the metoprolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 3, 2026).
Highlights of the labetalol record
Labetalol (Trandate) · label of March 2, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsLabetalol hydrochloride tablets, USP are indicated in the management of hypertension. Labetalol hydrochloride tablets USP may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents, especially thiazide and loop diuretics.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 1, 1984
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.215 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 6
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 (Labetalol label of March 2, 2026, Metoprolol label of March 3, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do labetalol and metoprolol differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class beta-adrenergic blockers.
Half-life, in each label's words: Labetalol, “The plasma half-life of labetalol following oral administration is about 6 to 8 hours.”; Metoprolol, “Elimination Elimination is mainly by biotransformation in the liver, and the plasma half-life ranges from approximately …”
Generics: labetalol since 1998; metoprolol since 1993 (Drugs@FDA).
| Labetalol | Metoprolol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure | High blood pressure, Angina, Heart failure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease |
| Pharmacologic class | beta-Adrenergic Blocker | beta-Adrenergic Blocker |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Metoprolol is a beta 1 -selective (cardioselective) adrenergic receptor blocking agent. |
| Half-life (label) | The plasma half-life of labetalol following oral administration is about 6 to 8 hours. | 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) | August 1, 1984 | August 7, 1978 |
| First generic approved | August 3, 1998 | December 21, 1993 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 43 labelers | 74 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.215 per tablet (Labetalol HCl 300 mg tablet) | $0.085 per tablet (Metoprolol succ ER 100 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +3% | -8% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 6 | 39 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 13,250 | 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 labetalol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions