Two medicines, side by side
Aliskiren vs hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene
Aliskiren and hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of aliskiren since 2007 and of hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene since 1965. Pharmacies paid $3.94 per aliskiren 150 mg tablet and $0.0969 per triamterene-hydrochlorothiazide 37.5-25 mg tablet (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 hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene a potassium-sparing diuretic.
Check it at the source: the aliskiren FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 7, 2024); the hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 17, 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 hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene record
Hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene (Dyazide) · label of February 17, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsThis fixed combination drug is not indicated for the initial therapy of edema or hypertension except in individuals in whom the development of hypokalemia cannot be risked. Triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide tablets are indicated for the treatment of hypertension or edema in patients who develop hypokalemia on hydrochlorothiazide alone. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 2, 1965
- Generic labelers
- 24 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0969 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Aliskiren label of March 7, 2024, Hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene label of February 17, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do aliskiren and hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, aliskiren is a renin inhibitor and hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene a potassium-sparing diuretic.
Only the aliskiren label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: aliskiren since 2019; hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene since 1987 (Drugs@FDA).
| Aliskiren | Hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure | High blood pressure, Edema (fluid retention) |
| Pharmacologic class | Renin Inhibitor | Potassium-sparing Diuretic, Thiazide Diuretic |
| 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 | December 2, 1965 |
| First generic approved | March 22, 2019 | December 8, 1987 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 1 labeler | 24 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $3.94 per tablet (Aliskiren 150 mg tablet) | $0.0969 per tablet (Triamterene-hydrochlorothiazide 37.5-25 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -2% | +6% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 5,999 | 6,109 |
| 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