How Much Is Propranolol Without Insurance?

Propranolol is a beta blocker approved to treat various conditions, including high blood pressure and tremors, and to prevent migraines. The medication can also be prescribed off-label to treat performance anxiety. Propranolol comes in immediate-release (IR) tablets, extended-release (ER) capsules, and an oral solution (liquid). There’s also an injectable form that’s typically only used in hospitals and clinics. 

All brand-name versions of propranolol tablets and oral liquid have been discontinued. But the brand-name ER capsules (Inderal XL, Inderal LA, and InnoPran XL) are still available.

Most adults take between 80 mg and 240 mg of propranolol daily. The ER capsules are usually taken once a day, while the tablets and oral liquid are typically divided into smaller doses throughout the day. 

Prices for generic propranolol can vary based on the form, dose, quantity, and other factors. Fortunately, there are ways, including using a GoodRx coupon, to save on the medication.

How much does propranolol cost?

Without insurance or a discount, 60 tablets of 40 mg generic propranolol cost an average of $40.14. By comparison, the average retail price for 30 capsules of 80 mg generic propranolol ER is $51.39. What you’ll actually pay for your prescription depends on several factors, including the form of the medication and the dose. 

Here’s a look at the average retail price for different forms, quantities, and doses of generic propranolol.

The liquid form of generic propranolol may work well for people who have trouble swallowing pills. Your prescribed dosage will determine how long a bottle will last you. For example, if you take 120 mg daily for high blood pressure, a 450 mL bottle of the 40 mg/5 mL liquid will last about 30 days.   

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Propranolol

Avg retail price

$13.31(Save 17.66%)

GoodRx discount

$10.96

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What factors affect the cost of propranolol?

The cost of generic propranolol depends on several factors:

• Location: Prescription medication prices can vary by city. According to GoodRx research, you may pay more for prescription medications in places like Little Rock, Arkansas, and New Orleans, while cities like Houston and Atlanta often have lower prices.

• Pharmacy: Costs for medications can vary significantly between pharmacies, even those located just blocks apart. Comparing prices can help you find the best deal.

• Insurance: Generic propranolol is covered by most insurance plans, but you may still have out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, copays, or coinsurance.

• Dosage: Your prescribed dose of propranolol and how often you take the medication are determined by what health condition you’re treating. Higher or more frequent doses may result in higher costs.

• Generic versus brand name: Generic propranolol ER typically costs less than the brand-name version, but it’s just as effective.

• Form: The form of propranolol you need can also affect the price of your prescription. For example, the oral liquid may cost more than the tablets or capsules, even if the dosage is the same.

• Discounts: Using prescription discount cards or coupons from services like GoodRx can lower the price you pay for propranolol.

Does insurance cover propranolol?

Most insurance plans — including Affordable Care Act (ACA), commercial insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid plans — cover generic propranolol. A prior authorization is rarely needed, though a small portion of Medicaid plans may require one. Across insurance types, step therapy, which usually involves trying a more affordable medication first, is almost never required.

To understand your coverage and costs for propranolol, check your plan’s formulary or contact your insurer directly.

How different insurance plans cover propranolol

The following table shows the likelihood of having coverage, as well as prior authorization and step therapy requirements, for generic propranolol 10 mg tablets across various types of insurance plans.

Insurance Coverage for Propranolol

Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of January 6, 2025. (See methodology below.)

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Ways to save on prescription medications: From using a GoodRx coupon to making the most of your health savings account (HSA), here are some ways to save on prescription medications.

• Do you have a flexible spending account (FSA)? Consider using your FSA dollars to pay for prescription medications, like propranolol, before your money expires.

• Common propranolol side effects: Learn about the most common side effects of the beta blocker and when you should contact your prescriber.

If propranolol is not covered by your insurance, consider taking these steps:

• Talk to your prescriber about changing to a different medication that might be covered by your insurance or have lower out-of-pocket costs.

• Request a formulary exception from your insurer. This is a special request asking them to cover propranolol in your case. If they deny this request, you can file an appeal for coverage.

• During the next open enrollment period, consider switching to an insurance plan that covers the medications you need.

Ways to save on propranolol

Whether you have insurance or not, here are four ways to reduce your costs for generic propranolol.

1. Get a free GoodRx coupon

A free GoodRx coupon could help lower the cost of your propranolol prescription. The table below shows what you may pay for different doses, forms, and quantities of propranolol with a GoodRx coupon.

Get your free GoodRx coupon for propranolol by taking the following steps: 

• Download the GoodRx app on your phone or visit www.goodrx.com.

• Enter “propranolol” or “propranolol ER” in the search field and click “Find the lowest prices.”

• Select your prescribed dose, quantity, and form. 

• Print your coupon or choose to receive it via text or email.

• Show your coupon when you arrive at the pharmacy, before they scan your medication, to help prevent delays.

There are also ways to save on brand-name versions of propranolol:

• Save with GoodRx: Anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can use GoodRx to purchase a 30-day supply of Inderal LA at an exclusive cash price of $298.80.

• Save with a copay savings card: If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible to pay as little as $0 for InnoPran XL or Inderal XL using a copay savings card from the manufacturer. You may also be able to pay no more than $55 for Hemangeol using a copay savings card.

2. Request a 90-day prescription

Consider asking your prescriber about a 90-day prescription of propranolol. Many pharmacies offer discounts on larger quantities, and certain insurance plans often have lower copays for 90-day supplies compared to monthly refills. While savings aren’t guaranteed, it’s worth comparing prices to see if this option works for you. Plus, fewer trips to the pharmacy can save you valuable time. 

3. Compare pharmacy prices

Not all pharmacies charge the same price for propranolol, so it’s worth checking around. A quick search on www.goodrx.com can help you find the best propranolol price in your area.

4. Use a tax-advantaged healthcare account

If you have a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA), you can use those funds to pay for propranolol. Simply swipe your HSA or FSA card at the pharmacy counter or submit a claim for reimbursement. If you have an FSA, this is also a way to help you use your funds before they expire.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Maggie Aime, MSN, RN

Maggie's writing brings health topics to life for readers at any stage of life. With over 25 years in healthcare and a passion for education, she creates content that informs, inspires, and empowers.

Edited by:

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA, is a personal finance editor at GoodRx. She has been a certified public accountant for over a decade.

Reviewed by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

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Methodology

We obtained national prescription coverage data for each medication from Managed Markets Insight & Technology (MMIT). The data reflects health insurance coverage as of January 2025. 

We calculated the percentage of enrollees in plans that cover each medication by dividing the number of enrollees covered for the medication within a specific insurance channel (e.g., ACA, Medicare, Medicaid) by the total number of enrollees in all plans within that channel. 

We determined the percentage of enrollees in plans with a prior authorization requirement by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that required prior authorization for the medication within each channel. 

Finally, we measured the percentage of enrollees in plans with a step therapy requirement by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that imposed step therapy requirements for the medication in each channel. 

These estimates, derived from national MMIT coverage data, provide insight into health insurance coverage for each medication. They take into account restrictions such as prior authorization, step therapy, and quantity limits. The percentages are expressed relative to the total number of enrollees covered by various insurance channels, including the ACA, commercial (excluding ACA) plans, Medicare, and Medicaid (both state-run and managed care plans).