Two medicines, side by side
Propafenone vs propranolol
Propafenone and propranolol are both labeled for atrial fibrillation. Drugs@FDA records approvals of propafenone since 1989 and of propranolol since 1967. Pharmacies paid $0.115 per propafenone HCl 150 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, propafenone is an antiarrhythmic and propranolol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
Check it at the source: the propafenone FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 1, 2025); the propranolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 15, 2026).
Highlights of the propafenone record
Propafenone (Rythmol) · label of September 1, 2025
MORTALITY In the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial (CAST), a long-term, multicenter, randomized, double-blind trial in subjects with asymptomatic non-life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias who had a myocardial infarction more than 6 days but less than 2 years previously, an increased rate of death or reversed cardiac arrest rate (7.7%; 56/730) was seen in subjects treated with encainide or flecainide (Class IC antiarrhythmics) compared with that seen in subjects assigned to placebo (3.0%; 22/725).
Used for
From the label: indicationsPropafenone hydrochloride tablets are indicated to: prolong the time to recurrence of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation/flutter (PAF) associated with disabling symptoms in patients without structural heart disease. prolong the time to recurrence of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) associated with disabling symptoms in patients without structural heart disease. treat documented ventricular arrhythmias, such as sustained ventricular tachycardia that, in the judgment of the physician, are life-threatening. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 27, 1989
- Generic labelers
- 14 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.115 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
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 (Propafenone label of September 1, 2025, Propranolol label of January 15, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do propafenone and propranolol differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, propafenone is an antiarrhythmic and propranolol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
How each works, in its label's words: Propafenone, “Propafenone is a Class 1C antiarrhythmic drug with local anesthetic effects, and a direct stabilizing action on myocardial membranes.”; Propranolol, “Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of propranolol has not been established.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Propafenone, “The average distribution half-life corresponding to the first phase was about 5 minutes.”; Propranolol, “The plasma half-life of propranolol is from 3 to 6 hours.”
Only the propafenone label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: propafenone since 2000; propranolol since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Propafenone | Propranolol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Atrial fibrillation | High blood pressure, Angina, Atrial fibrillation, Migraine |
| Pharmacologic class | Antiarrhythmic | beta-Adrenergic Blocker |
| How it works (label) | Propafenone is a Class 1C antiarrhythmic drug with local anesthetic effects, and a direct stabilizing action on myocardial membranes. | Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of propranolol has not been established. |
| Half-life (label) | The average distribution half-life corresponding to the first phase was about 5 minutes. | The plasma half-life of propranolol is from 3 to 6 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 27, 1989 | November 13, 1967 |
| First generic approved | October 24, 2000 | July 30, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 14 labelers | 42 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.115 per tablet (Propafenone HCl 150 mg tablet) | $0.0493 per tablet (Propranolol 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +2% | -17% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 4 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 4,209 | 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?
Propafenone label, drug interactionsConcomitant use of propafenone and propranolol in healthy subjects increased propranolol plasma concentrations at steady state by 113%.
Propranolol label, drug interactionsCardiovascular Drugs Antiarrhythmics The AUC of propafenone is increased by more than 200% by co-administration of propranolol.
Propranolol label, drug interactionsCo-administration of propranolol increases the plasma concentrations of propafenone.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to propafenone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions