Two medicines, side by side
Nebivolol vs labetalol
Nebivolol and labetalol are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of nebivolol since 2007 and of labetalol since 1984. Pharmacies paid $0.141 per nebivolol 10 mg tablet and $0.215 per labetalol HCl 300 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the nebivolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 1, 2024); the labetalol FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 2, 2026).
Highlights of the nebivolol record
Nebivolol (Bystolic) · label of August 1, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsINDICATIONS AND USAGE BYSTOLIC is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent 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. ( 1.1 ) 1.1 Hypertension BYSTOLIC is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )]. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 17, 2007
- Generic labelers
- 23 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.141 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 5
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
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Nebivolol label of August 1, 2024, Labetalol label of March 2, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do nebivolol and labetalol differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class beta-adrenergic blockers.
Half-life, in each label's words: Nebivolol, “The active isomer (d-nebivolol) has an effective half-life of about 12 hours in CYP2D6 extensive metabolizers (most …”; Labetalol, “The plasma half-life of labetalol following oral administration is about 6 to 8 hours.”
Generics: nebivolol since 2015; labetalol since 1998 (Drugs@FDA).
| Nebivolol | Labetalol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure | High blood pressure |
| Pharmacologic class | beta-Adrenergic Blocker | beta-Adrenergic Blocker |
| How it works (label) | The mechanism of action of the antihypertensive response of BYSTOLIC has not been definitively established. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | The active isomer (d-nebivolol) has an effective half-life of about 12 hours in CYP2D6 extensive metabolizers (most people), and 19 hours in poor metabolizers and exposure to d-nebivolol is substantially increased in … | The plasma half-life of labetalol following oral administration is about 6 to 8 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 17, 2007 | August 1, 1984 |
| First generic approved | April 16, 2015 | August 3, 1998 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 23 labelers | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.141 per tablet (Nebivolol 10 mg tablet) | $0.215 per tablet (Labetalol HCl 300 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +0.8% | +3% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 6 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 33,555 | 13,250 |
| 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 nebivolol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions