Two medicines, side by side
Timolol vs propranolol
Timolol and propranolol are both labeled for high blood pressure and migraine. Drugs@FDA records approvals of timolol since 1978 and of propranolol since 1967. Pharmacies paid $0.774 per mL (Timolol maleate 0.5% eye drops) and $0.0493 per propranolol 20 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like.
Check it at the source: the timolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 27, 2025); the propranolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 15, 2026).
Highlights of the timolol record
Timolol (Timoptic) · label of June 27, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsBetimol ® is indicated in the treatment of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with ocular hypertension or open-angle glaucoma.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 17, 1978
- Generic labelers
- 22 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.774 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 20
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 (Timolol label of June 27, 2025, Propranolol label of January 15, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do timolol and propranolol differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class beta-adrenergic blockers.
Half-life, in each label's words: Timolol, “The half-life of timolol in plasma is approximately 4 hours.”; Propranolol, “The plasma half-life of propranolol is from 3 to 6 hours.”
Generics: timolol since 1989; propranolol since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Timolol | Propranolol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Glaucoma, High blood pressure, Migraine | High blood pressure, Angina, Atrial fibrillation, Migraine |
| Pharmacologic class | beta-Adrenergic Blocker | beta-Adrenergic Blocker |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Mechanism of Action The mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of propranolol has not been established. |
| Half-life (label) | The half-life of timolol in plasma is approximately 4 hours. | The plasma half-life of propranolol is from 3 to 6 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 17, 1978 | November 13, 1967 |
| First generic approved | April 13, 1989 | July 30, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 22 labelers | 42 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.774 per mL (Timolol maleate 0.5% eye drops) | $0.0493 per tablet (Propranolol 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -6% | -17% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 20 | 4 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 9,878 | 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)
What next?
- Alternatives to timolol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions