Two medicines, side by side
Propranolol vs metoprolol
Propranolol and metoprolol are both labeled for high blood pressure and angina. Drugs@FDA records approvals of propranolol since 1967 and of metoprolol since 1978. Pharmacies paid $0.0493 per propranolol 20 mg tablet and $0.085 per metoprolol succ ER 100 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Metoprolol's other strengths are brand-only: $1.20 per mL (Lopressor 10 mg/mL oral solution). How each works, in its label's words: Propranolol, “Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of propranolol has not been established.”; Metoprolol, “Metoprolol is a beta 1 -selective (cardioselective) adrenergic receptor blocking agent.”
Check it at the source: the propranolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 15, 2026); the metoprolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 3, 2026).
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
Highlights of the metoprolol record
Metoprolol (Lopressor) · label of March 3, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsTOPROL-XL, metoprolol succinate, is a beta-adrenergic blocker indicated for the treatment of: Hypertension, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. ( 1.1 ) Angina Pectoris. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 7, 1978
- Generic labelers
- 74 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.085 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 39
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Propranolol label of January 15, 2026, Metoprolol label of March 3, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do propranolol and metoprolol differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Propranolol, “Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of propranolol has not been established.”; Metoprolol, “Metoprolol is a beta 1 -selective (cardioselective) adrenergic receptor blocking agent.”
Both are in FDA's class beta-adrenergic blockers.
Half-life, in each label's words: Propranolol, “The plasma half-life of propranolol is from 3 to 6 hours.”; Metoprolol, “Elimination Elimination is mainly by biotransformation in the liver, and the plasma half-life ranges from approximately …”
Generics: propranolol since 1985; metoprolol since 1993 (Drugs@FDA).
| Propranolol | Metoprolol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Angina, Atrial fibrillation, Migraine | High blood pressure, Angina, Heart failure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease |
| Pharmacologic class | beta-Adrenergic Blocker | beta-Adrenergic Blocker |
| How it works (label) | Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of propranolol has not been established. | Metoprolol is a beta 1 -selective (cardioselective) adrenergic receptor blocking agent. |
| Half-life (label) | The plasma half-life of propranolol is from 3 to 6 hours. | Elimination Elimination is mainly by biotransformation in the liver, and the plasma half-life ranges from approximately 3 to 7 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 13, 1967 | August 7, 1978 |
| First generic approved | July 30, 1985 | December 21, 1993 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 42 labelers | 74 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0493 per tablet (Propranolol 20 mg tablet) | $0.085 per tablet (Metoprolol succ ER 100 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -17% | -8% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | In shortage | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 4 | 39 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 71,660 | 353,609 |
| 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 propranolol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions