Two medicines, side by side
Labetalol vs propranolol
Labetalol and propranolol are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of labetalol since 1984 and of propranolol since 1967. Pharmacies paid $0.215 per labetalol HCl 300 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.
Check it at the source: the labetalol FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 2, 2026); the propranolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 15, 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 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 (Labetalol label of March 2, 2026, Propranolol label of January 15, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do labetalol and propranolol 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.”; Propranolol, “The plasma half-life of propranolol is from 3 to 6 hours.”
Generics: labetalol since 1998; propranolol since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Labetalol | Propranolol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure | High blood pressure, Angina, Atrial fibrillation, Migraine |
| Pharmacologic class | beta-Adrenergic Blocker | 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) | The plasma half-life of labetalol following oral administration is about 6 to 8 hours. | The plasma half-life of propranolol is from 3 to 6 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 1, 1984 | November 13, 1967 |
| First generic approved | August 3, 1998 | July 30, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 43 labelers | 42 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.215 per tablet (Labetalol HCl 300 mg tablet) | $0.0493 per tablet (Propranolol 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +3% | -17% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 6 | 4 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 13,250 | 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 labetalol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions