Two medicines, side by side
Propranolol vs telmisartan
Propranolol and telmisartan are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of propranolol since 1967 and of telmisartan since 1998. Pharmacies paid $0.0493 per propranolol 20 mg tablet and $0.106 per telmisartan 20 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026). In FDA's classes, propranolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker and telmisartan an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker.
Check it at the source: the propranolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 15, 2026); the telmisartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 29, 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 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 (Propranolol label of January 15, 2026, Telmisartan label of May 29, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do propranolol and telmisartan differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, propranolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker and telmisartan an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker.
How each works, in its label's words: Propranolol, “Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of propranolol has not been 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: Propranolol, “The plasma half-life of propranolol is from 3 to 6 hours.”; 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: propranolol since 1985; telmisartan since 2014 (Drugs@FDA).
| Propranolol | Telmisartan | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Angina, Atrial fibrillation, Migraine | High blood pressure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease |
| Pharmacologic class | beta-Adrenergic Blocker | Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker |
| How it works (label) | Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of propranolol has not been established. | Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II). |
| Half-life (label) | The plasma half-life of propranolol is from 3 to 6 hours. | Telmisartan shows bi-exponential decay kinetics with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 24 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 13, 1967 | November 10, 1998 |
| First generic approved | July 30, 1985 | January 8, 2014 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 42 labelers | 28 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0493 per tablet (Propranolol 20 mg tablet) | $0.106 per tablet (Telmisartan 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -17% | -4% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | In shortage | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 4 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 71,660 | 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 propranolol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions