Two medicines, side by side
Metoprolol vs verapamil
Metoprolol and verapamil are both labeled for high blood pressure and angina. Drugs@FDA records approvals of metoprolol since 1978 and of verapamil since 1981. Pharmacies paid $0.085 per metoprolol succ ER 100 mg tablet and $0.191 per verapamil ER 180 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, metoprolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker and verapamil a calcium channel blocker.
Check it at the source: the metoprolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 3, 2026); the verapamil FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 6, 2026).
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
Highlights of the verapamil record
Verapamil (Isoptin) · label of April 6, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsVerapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets are indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. These benefits have been seen in controlled trials of antihypertensive drugs from a wide variety of pharmacologic classes including this drug. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 12, 1981
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.191 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 7
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Metoprolol label of March 3, 2026, Verapamil label of April 6, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do metoprolol and verapamil differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, metoprolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker and verapamil a calcium channel blocker.
How each works, in its label's words: Metoprolol, “Metoprolol is a beta 1 -selective (cardioselective) adrenergic receptor blocking agent.”; Verapamil, “Mechanism of action Essential hypertension: Verapamil exerts antihypertensive effects by decreasing systemic vascular resistance, usually without orthostatic decreases in blood pressure or reflex …”
Half-life, in each label's words: Metoprolol, “Elimination Elimination is mainly by biotransformation in the liver, and the plasma half-life ranges from approximately …”; Verapamil, “The mean elimination half-life in single-dose studies ranged from 2.8 to 7.4 hours.”
Generics: metoprolol since 1993; verapamil since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Metoprolol | Verapamil | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Angina, Heart failure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease | High blood pressure, Atrial fibrillation, Angina |
| Pharmacologic class | beta-Adrenergic Blocker | Calcium Channel Blocker |
| How it works (label) | Metoprolol is a beta 1 -selective (cardioselective) adrenergic receptor blocking agent. | Mechanism of action Essential hypertension: Verapamil exerts antihypertensive effects by decreasing systemic vascular resistance, usually without orthostatic decreases in blood pressure or reflex tachycardia; … |
| Half-life (label) | Elimination Elimination is mainly by biotransformation in the liver, and the plasma half-life ranges from approximately 3 to 7 hours. | The mean elimination half-life in single-dose studies ranged from 2.8 to 7.4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 7, 1978 | August 12, 1981 |
| First generic approved | December 21, 1993 | November 12, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 74 labelers | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.085 per tablet (Metoprolol succ ER 100 mg tablet) | $0.191 per tablet (Verapamil ER 180 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -8% | +7% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 39 | 7 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 353,609 | 4,242 |
| 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Metoprolol label, drug interactionsDigitalis glycosides, clonidine, diltiazem, and verapamil slow atrioventricular conduction and decrease heart rate.
Metoprolol label, warnings and precautionsWorsening cardiac failure may occur. ( 5.2 ) Bronchospastic Disease: Avoid beta-blockers. ( 5.3 ) Concomitant use of glycosides, clonidine, diltiazem and verapamil with beta-blockers can increase the risk of bradycardia.
Verapamil label, drug interactionsA decrease in metoprolol and propranolol clearance has been observed when either drug is administered concomitantly with verapamil.
Verapamil label, drug interactionsA decrease in metoprolol clearance has been reported when verapamil and metoprolol were administered together.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to metoprolol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions