Two medicines, side by side
Propranolol vs valsartan
Propranolol and valsartan are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of propranolol since 1967 and of valsartan since 1996. Pharmacies paid $0.0493 per propranolol 20 mg tablet and $0.0963 per valsartan 40 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, propranolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker and valsartan an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker.
Check it at the source: the propranolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 15, 2026); the valsartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 5, 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 valsartan record
Valsartan (Diovan) · label of August 5, 2026
FETAL TOXICITY
When pregnancy is detected, discontinue valsartan tablets as soon as possible. ( 5.1 )
Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus. ( 5.1 ) WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue valsartan tablets as soon as possible. ( 5.1 ).
Used for
From the label: indicationsValsartan tablets are an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) indicated for: • Hypertension, to lower blood pressure in adults and children 6 years and older. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 23, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 34 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0963 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 58
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Propranolol label of January 15, 2026, Valsartan label of August 5, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do propranolol and valsartan differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, propranolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker and valsartan 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.”; Valsartan, “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.”; Valsartan, “Valsartan shows bi-exponential decay kinetics following intravenous administration, with an average elimination …”
Only the valsartan label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: propranolol since 1985; valsartan since 2014 (Drugs@FDA).
| Propranolol | Valsartan | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Angina, Atrial fibrillation, Migraine | High blood pressure, Heart failure |
| 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. | Valsartan shows bi-exponential decay kinetics following intravenous administration, with an average elimination half-life of about 6 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 13, 1967 | December 23, 1996 |
| First generic approved | July 30, 1985 | June 26, 2014 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 42 labelers | 34 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0493 per tablet (Propranolol 20 mg tablet) | $0.0963 per tablet (Valsartan 40 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -17% | -21% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | In shortage | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 4 | 58 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 71,660 | 104,490 |
| 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