If you’re looking at treatment options for high blood pressure or migraine, you may want to learn more about propranolol (Hemangeol, Inderal LA, and InnoPran XL). This includes information about cost.
Propranolol is a generic prescription drug that’s primarily used to treat high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, and help prevent migraines in adults. In addition, the drug is used to treat many other conditions in adults, such as irregular heart rhythms and chest pain. In some children, it’s used to treat hemangiomas.
Propranolol belongs to a group of drugs called beta-blockers. It comes in the following forms that you take by mouth:
- tablet
- extended-release* capsule
- liquid solution
It also comes as a solution for injection.
Keep reading for details on propranolol and cost, and how to save money on prescriptions.
Note: For more details on propranolol, see this in-depth article.
* Extended release means the drug is slowly released into your body over a certain period of time.
The price you pay for propranolol can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.
To find out how much you’ll pay for propranolol, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about propranolol and cost.
Does the cost of propranolol tablets depend on the strength I take (10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, or 80 mg)?
Yes, the cost of propranolol could vary depending on the strength you take. For example, propranolol 10-milligram (mg) tablets tend to be less expensive than propranolol 80-mg tablets.
In general, the lower-strength tablets are less expensive than the higher-strength tablets. But this can vary depending on your treatment plan, insurance coverage, and which pharmacy you use.
The cost of propranolol may also vary if you take any of the other dosage forms, such as extended-release capsules or the solution.
If you have questions about how your dosage of propranolol may affect cost, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How do the costs of propranolol tablets and extended-release capsules compare?
Propranolol extended-release capsules are likely to be more expensive than the tablets. But if the extended-release capsules are a better option for you, they may be worth the price.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to determine the best form of propranolol for you. You may be able to save money if you use a different form.
Propranolol is a generic drug. This means it’s an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic is considered to be just as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics generally cost less than brand-name drugs.
Propranolol is available as the brand-name drugs Inderal LA, InnoPran XL, and Hemangeol. To find out how the costs of propranolol compare with its brand-name versions, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
If your doctor has prescribed propranolol and you’re interested in using a brand-name drug instead, talk with your doctor. They may prefer that you take one version instead of the others. In addition, you’ll need to check with your insurance provider. This is because it may only cover one drug and not the others.
If you take propranolol long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:
- Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of propranolol if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of propranolol. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
- Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for propranolol. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.
If you need help covering the cost of propranolol or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:
On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.
If you have questions about how you can pay for propranolol, you may also want to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you still have questions about the cost of propranolol, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for propranolol.
Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:
- Are there other medications that could treat my condition that cost less than propranolol?
- Will the strength of propranolol I take affect the cost?
- What are my options if I can’t afford my medication?
If you take propranolol for migraine or high blood pressure, consider signing up for Healthline’s migraine newsletter or heart health newsletter.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.