Two medicines, side by side
Nadolol vs propranolol
Nadolol and propranolol are both labeled for high blood pressure and angina. Drugs@FDA records approvals of nadolol since 1979 and of propranolol since 1967. Pharmacies paid $0.147 per nadolol 20 mg tablet and $0.0493 per propranolol 20 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026).
Check it at the source: the nadolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 12, 2026); the propranolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 15, 2026).
Highlights of the nadolol record
Nadolol (Corgard) · label of May 12, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsAngina Pectoris Nadolol tablets are indicated for the long-term management of patients with angina pectoris. Hypertension Nadolol 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. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 10, 1979
- Generic labelers
- 16 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.147 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
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 (Nadolol label of May 12, 2026, Propranolol label of January 15, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do nadolol and propranolol differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class beta-adrenergic blockers.
Half-life, in each label's words: Nadolol, “The half-life of therapeutic doses of nadolol is about 20 to 24 hours, permitting once-daily dosage.”; Propranolol, “The plasma half-life of propranolol is from 3 to 6 hours.”
Generics: nadolol since 1993; propranolol since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Nadolol | Propranolol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Angina, 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 half-life of therapeutic doses of nadolol is about 20 to 24 hours, permitting once-daily dosage. | The plasma half-life of propranolol is from 3 to 6 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 10, 1979 | November 13, 1967 |
| First generic approved | October 31, 1993 | July 30, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 16 labelers | 42 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.147 per tablet (Nadolol 20 mg tablet) | $0.0493 per tablet (Propranolol 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +23% | -17% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 4 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 7,532 | 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 nadolol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions