Two medicines, side by side
Amlodipine vs clopidogrel
Amlodipine and clopidogrel are both labeled for angina and heart attack and coronary artery disease. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amlodipine since 1992 and of clopidogrel since 1997. Pharmacies paid $0.0102 per amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet and $0.0472 per clopidogrel 75 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker and clopidogrel a p2y12 platelet inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the amlodipine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 15, 2023); the clopidogrel FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 30, 2025).
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 clopidogrel record
Clopidogrel (Plavix) · label of May 30, 2025
DIMINISHED ANTIPLATELET EFFECT IN PATIENTS WITH TWO LOSS-OF-FUNCTION ALLELES OF THE CYP2C19 GENE WARNING: DIMINISHED ANTIPLATELET EFFECT IN PATIENTS WITH TWO LOSS-OF-FUNCTION ALLELES OF THE CYP2C19 GENE See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Effectiveness of Plavix depends on conversion to an active metabolite by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) system, principally CYP2C19. ( 5.1 , 12.3 ) Tests are available to identify patients who are CYP2C19 poor metabolizers.
Used for
From the label: indicationsPlavix is a P2Y 12 platelet inhibitor indicated for: Acute coronary syndrome – For patients with non–ST-segment elevation ACS (unstable angina [UA]/non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI]), Plavix has been shown to reduce the rate of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke. ( 1.1 ) – For patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), Plavix has been shown to reduce the rate of MI and stroke. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 17, 1997
- Generic labelers
- 35 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0472 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 6
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amlodipine label of February 15, 2023, Clopidogrel label of May 30, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do amlodipine and clopidogrel differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker and clopidogrel a p2y12 platelet inhibitor.
How each works, in its label's words: Amlodipine, “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 …”; Clopidogrel, “Clopidogrel is an inhibitor of platelet activation and aggregation through the irreversible binding of its active metabolite to the P2Y 12 class of ADP receptors on platelets.”
Only the clopidogrel label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: amlodipine since 2005; clopidogrel since 2008 (Drugs@FDA).
| Amlodipine | Clopidogrel | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Angina, Heart attack and coronary artery disease | Heart attack and coronary artery disease, Angina |
| Pharmacologic class | Calcium Channel Blocker, Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker | P2Y12 Platelet Inhibitor |
| 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. | Clopidogrel is an inhibitor of platelet activation and aggregation through the irreversible binding of its active metabolite to the P2Y 12 class of ADP receptors on platelets. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | After a single, oral dose of 75 mg, clopidogrel has a half-life of approximately 6 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 31, 1992 | November 17, 1997 |
| First generic approved | October 3, 2005 | January 14, 2008 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 42 labelers | 35 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0102 per tablet (Amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet) | $0.0472 per tablet (Clopidogrel 75 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | -15% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 30 | 6 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 409,186 | 211,001 |
| 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 do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Clopidogrel label, drug interactionsPromptly evaluate any signs or symptoms of blood loss if patients are treated concomitantly with other antiplatelet agents [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ].
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to amlodipine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions