Two medicines, side by side
Nebivolol vs telmisartan
Nebivolol and telmisartan are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of nebivolol since 2007 and of telmisartan since 1998. Pharmacies paid $0.141 per nebivolol 10 mg tablet and $0.106 per telmisartan 20 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, nebivolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker and telmisartan an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker.
Check it at the source: the nebivolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 1, 2024); the telmisartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 29, 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 telmisartan record
Telmisartan (Micardis) · label of May 29, 2026
FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue telmisartan as soon as possible [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1)]. Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1)]. WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warnings.
Used for
From the label: indicationsTelmisartanis an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) indicated for: 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 Telmisartan is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 10, 1998
- Generic labelers
- 28 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.106 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Nebivolol label of August 1, 2024, Telmisartan label of May 29, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do nebivolol and telmisartan differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, nebivolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker and telmisartan an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker.
How each works, in its label's words: Nebivolol, “The mechanism of action of the antihypertensive response of BYSTOLIC has not been definitively established.”; Telmisartan, “Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II).”
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 …”; Telmisartan, “Telmisartan shows bi-exponential decay kinetics with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 24 hours.”
Only the telmisartan label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: nebivolol since 2015; telmisartan since 2014 (Drugs@FDA).
| Nebivolol | Telmisartan | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure | High blood pressure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease |
| Pharmacologic class | beta-Adrenergic Blocker | Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker |
| How it works (label) | The mechanism of action of the antihypertensive response of BYSTOLIC has not been definitively established. | Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II). |
| 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 … | Telmisartan shows bi-exponential decay kinetics with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 24 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 17, 2007 | November 10, 1998 |
| First generic approved | April 16, 2015 | January 8, 2014 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 23 labelers | 28 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.141 per tablet (Nebivolol 10 mg tablet) | $0.106 per tablet (Telmisartan 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +0.8% | -4% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 33,555 | 17,745 |
| 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