Two medicines, side by side
Amlodipine vs clonidine
Amlodipine and clonidine are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amlodipine since 1992 and of clonidine since 1974. Pharmacies paid $0.0102 per amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet and $0.0241 per clonidine HCl 0.1 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Clonidine's other strengths are brand-only: $1.53 per mL (Javadin 0.02 mg/mL solution). In FDA's classes, amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker and clonidine a central alpha-2 adrenergic agonist.
Check it at the source: the amlodipine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 15, 2023); the clonidine FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 30, 2026).
Highlights of the amlodipine record
Amlodipine (Norvasc) · label of February 15, 2023
Used for
From the label: indicationsNORVASC is a calcium channel blocker and may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive and antianginal agents for the treatment of: • Hypertension ( 1.1 ) o NORVASC is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, 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
- July 31, 1992
- Generic labelers
- 42 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0102 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 30
Highlights of the clonidine record
Clonidine (Catapres) · label of March 30, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsClonidine hydrochloride tablets are indicated in the treatment of hypertension. Clonidine hydrochloride tablets may be employed alone or concomitantly with other antihypertensive agents.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 3, 1974
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0241 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 16
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amlodipine label of February 15, 2023, Clonidine label of March 30, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do amlodipine and clonidine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker and clonidine a central alpha-2 adrenergic agonist.
Generics: amlodipine since 2005; clonidine since 1986 (Drugs@FDA).
| Amlodipine | Clonidine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Angina, Heart attack and coronary artery disease | High blood pressure, ADHD, Pain |
| Pharmacologic class | Calcium Channel Blocker, Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker | Central alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist |
| How it works (label) | Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist (calcium ion antagonist or slow‑channel blocker) that inhibits the transmembrane influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Following intravenous administration, clonidine displays biphasic disposition with a distribution half-life of about 20 minutes and an elimination half-life ranging from 12 to 16 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 31, 1992 | September 3, 1974 |
| First generic approved | October 3, 2005 | July 1, 1986 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 42 labelers | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0102 per tablet (Amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet) | $0.0241 per tablet (Clonidine HCl 0.1 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | -3% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 30 | 16 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 409,186 | 57,116 |
| 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 amlodipine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions