Two medicines, side by side
Nifedipine vs propranolol
Nifedipine and propranolol are both labeled for high blood pressure and angina. Drugs@FDA records approvals of nifedipine since 1981 and of propranolol since 1967. Pharmacies paid $0.130 per nifedipine ER 30 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. In FDA's classes, nifedipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker and propranolol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
Check it at the source: the nifedipine FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 24, 2024); the propranolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 15, 2026).
Highlights of the nifedipine record
Nifedipine (Procardia) · label of December 24, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsNifedipine extended-release tablets are indicated for the treatment of hypertension. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 31, 1981
- Generic labelers
- 32 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.130 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 7
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 (Nifedipine label of December 24, 2024, Propranolol label of January 15, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do nifedipine and propranolol differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, nifedipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker and propranolol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
Half-life, in each label's words: Nifedipine, “The elimination half-life of nifedipine administered as nifedipine extended-release tablets are approximately 7 hours …”; Propranolol, “The plasma half-life of propranolol is from 3 to 6 hours.”
Generics: nifedipine since 1989; propranolol since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Nifedipine | Propranolol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Angina | High blood pressure, Angina, Atrial fibrillation, Migraine |
| Pharmacologic class | Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel 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 elimination half-life of nifedipine administered as nifedipine extended-release tablets are approximately 7 hours in contrast to the known 2 hour elimination half-life of nifedipine administered as an immediate … | The plasma half-life of propranolol is from 3 to 6 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 31, 1981 | November 13, 1967 |
| First generic approved | April 28, 1989 | July 30, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 32 labelers | 42 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.130 per tablet (Nifedipine ER 30 mg tablet) | $0.0493 per tablet (Propranolol 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +19% | -17% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 7 | 4 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 41,059 | 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Propranolol label, drug interactionsThe mean C max and AUC of nifedipine are increased by 64% and 79%, respectively, by co-administration of propranolol.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to nifedipine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions