Two medicines, side by side
Acebutolol vs amlodipine/valsartan
Acebutolol and amlodipine/valsartan are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of acebutolol since 1984 and of amlodipine/valsartan since 2007. Pharmacies paid $0.615 per acebutolol 200 mg capsule and $0.330 per unit (Amlodipine-valsartan 10-160 mg) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, acebutolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker and amlodipine/valsartan a calcium channel blocker.
Check it at the source: the acebutolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 11, 2024); the amlodipine/valsartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 17, 2026).
Highlights of the acebutolol record
Acebutolol (Sectral) · label of December 11, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsHypertension Acebutolol hydrochloride capsules are indicated for the management of hypertension in adults. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents, especially thiazide-type diuretics. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 28, 1984
- Generic labelers
- 6 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.615 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the amlodipine and valsartan record
Amlodipine and valsartan (Exforge) · label of February 17, 2026
FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue Exforge 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 Exforge as soon as possible. ( 5.1 ) Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus.
Used for
From the label: indicationsExforge is the combination tablet of amlodipine, a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (DHP CCB), and valsartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 20, 2007
- Generic labelers
- 9 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.330 per unit
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 20
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Acebutolol label of December 11, 2024, Amlodipine/valsartan label of February 17, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do acebutolol and amlodipine/valsartan differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, acebutolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker and amlodipine/valsartan a calcium channel blocker.
Half-life, in each label's words: Acebutolol, “The plasma elimination half-life of acebutolol is approximately 3 to 4 hours, while that of its metabolite, diacetolol …”; Amlodipine/valsartan, “Elimination of amlodipine from the plasma is biphasic with a terminal elimination half-life of about 30 to 50 hours.”
Only the amlodipine/valsartan label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: acebutolol since 1995; amlodipine/valsartan since 2013 (Drugs@FDA).
| Acebutolol | Amlodipine/valsartan | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure | High blood pressure |
| Pharmacologic class | beta-Adrenergic Blocker | Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker, Calcium Channel Blocker, Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Amlodipine Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that inhibits the transmembrane influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle. |
| Half-life (label) | The plasma elimination half-life of acebutolol is approximately 3 to 4 hours, while that of its metabolite, diacetolol, is 8 to 13 hours. | Elimination of amlodipine from the plasma is biphasic with a terminal elimination half-life of about 30 to 50 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 28, 1984 | June 20, 2007 |
| First generic approved | April 24, 1995 | March 28, 2013 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 6 labelers | 9 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.615 per capsule (Acebutolol 200 mg capsule) | $0.330 per unit (Amlodipine-valsartan 10-160 mg) |
| 12-month price change | -0.3% | -35% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 20 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 1,258 | 11,192 |
| 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 acebutolol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions