Two medicines, side by side
Propranolol vs verapamil
Propranolol and verapamil are both labeled for high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation and angina. Drugs@FDA records approvals of propranolol since 1967 and of verapamil since 1981. Pharmacies paid $0.0493 per propranolol 20 mg tablet and $0.191 per verapamil ER 180 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 verapamil a calcium channel blocker.
Check it at the source: the propranolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 15, 2026); the verapamil FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 6, 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 verapamil record
Verapamil (Isoptin) · label of April 6, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsVerapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets are indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. These benefits have been seen in controlled trials of antihypertensive drugs from a wide variety of pharmacologic classes including this drug. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 12, 1981
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.191 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 7
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Propranolol label of January 15, 2026, Verapamil label of April 6, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do propranolol and verapamil differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, propranolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker and verapamil a calcium channel 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.”; Verapamil, “Mechanism of action Essential hypertension: Verapamil exerts antihypertensive effects by decreasing systemic vascular resistance, usually without orthostatic decreases in blood pressure or reflex …”
Half-life, in each label's words: Propranolol, “The plasma half-life of propranolol is from 3 to 6 hours.”; Verapamil, “The mean elimination half-life in single-dose studies ranged from 2.8 to 7.4 hours.”
Generics: propranolol since 1985; verapamil since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Propranolol | Verapamil | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Angina, Atrial fibrillation, Migraine | High blood pressure, Atrial fibrillation, Angina |
| Pharmacologic class | beta-Adrenergic Blocker | Calcium Channel Blocker |
| How it works (label) | Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of propranolol has not been established. | Mechanism of action Essential hypertension: Verapamil exerts antihypertensive effects by decreasing systemic vascular resistance, usually without orthostatic decreases in blood pressure or reflex tachycardia; … |
| Half-life (label) | The plasma half-life of propranolol is from 3 to 6 hours. | The mean elimination half-life in single-dose studies ranged from 2.8 to 7.4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 13, 1967 | August 12, 1981 |
| First generic approved | July 30, 1985 | November 12, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 42 labelers | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0493 per tablet (Propranolol 20 mg tablet) | $0.191 per tablet (Verapamil ER 180 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -17% | +7% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | In shortage | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 4 | 7 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 71,660 | 4,242 |
| 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 interactionsThere have been reports of significant bradycardia, heart failure, and cardiovascular collapse with concurrent use of verapamil and beta-blockers.
Verapamil label, drug interactionsA decrease in metoprolol and propranolol clearance has been observed when either drug is administered concomitantly with verapamil.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to propranolol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions