Two medicines, side by side
Aliskiren vs benzonatate
Aliskiren is labeled for high blood pressure; benzonatate for cough and cold. Their labels share no use, so they are not alternatives to each other. Drugs@FDA records approvals of aliskiren since 2007 and of benzonatate since 1958. Pharmacies paid $3.94 per aliskiren 150 mg tablet and $0.0656 per benzonatate 100 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, aliskiren is a renin inhibitor and benzonatate a non-narcotic antitussive.
Check it at the source: the aliskiren FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 7, 2024); the benzonatate FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 3, 2026).
Highlights of the aliskiren record
Aliskiren (Tekturna) · label of March 7, 2024
FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue Tekturna as soon as possible. ( 5.1 , 8.1 ) Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus. ( 5.1 , 8.1 ) WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue Tekturna as soon as possible. ( 5.1 , 8.1 ) Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus.
Used for
From the label: indicationsTekturna is a renin inhibitor (RI) indicated for the treatment of hypertension in adults and in pediatric patients weighing 50 kg or greater who are at least 6 years of age, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- March 5, 2007
- Generic labelers
- 1 labeler
- Pharmacy cost
- $3.94 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the benzonatate record
Benzonatate (Tessalon) · label of August 3, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsBenzonatate capsules, USP are indicated for the symptomatic relief of cough.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 10, 1958
- Generic labelers
- 45 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0656 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 7
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Aliskiren label of March 7, 2024, Benzonatate label of August 3, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do aliskiren and benzonatate differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, aliskiren is a renin inhibitor and benzonatate a non-narcotic antitussive.
Only the aliskiren label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: aliskiren since 2019; benzonatate since 1993 (Drugs@FDA).
| Aliskiren | Benzonatate | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure | Cough and cold |
| Pharmacologic class | Renin Inhibitor | Non-narcotic Antitussive |
| How it works (label) | Renin is secreted by the kidney in response to decreases in blood volume and renal perfusion. Renin cleaves angiotensinogen to form the inactive decapeptide angiotensin I (Ang I). | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | 12.3 Pharmacokinetics Aliskiren is poorly absorbed (bioavailability about 2.5%) with an approximate accumulation half-life of 24 hours. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | March 5, 2007 | February 10, 1958 |
| First generic approved | March 22, 2019 | January 29, 1993 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 1 labeler | 45 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $3.94 per tablet (Aliskiren 150 mg tablet) | $0.0656 per capsule (Benzonatate 100 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -2% | -8% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 7 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 5,999 | 16,446 |
| 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 aliskiren
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions