Two medicines, side by side
Amlodipine vs guanfacine
Amlodipine and guanfacine are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amlodipine since 1992 and of guanfacine since 1986. Pharmacies paid $0.0102 per amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet and $0.147 per guanfacine 1 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 guanfacine a central alpha-2 adrenergic agonist.
Check it at the source: the amlodipine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 15, 2023); the guanfacine FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 23, 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 guanfacine record
Guanfacine (Intuniv) · label of June 23, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsINTUNIV ® is indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as monotherapy and as adjunctive therapy to stimulant medications [see Clinical Studies (14) ]. INTUNIV is a central alpha 2A -adrenergic receptor agonist indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as monotherapy and as adjunctive therapy to stimulant medications ( 1 , 14 ).
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 27, 1986
- Generic labelers
- 36 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.147 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amlodipine label of February 15, 2023, Guanfacine label of June 23, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do amlodipine and guanfacine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker and guanfacine a central alpha-2 adrenergic agonist.
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 …”; Guanfacine, “Guanfacine is a central alpha 2A -adrenergic receptor agonist.”
Generics: amlodipine since 2005; guanfacine since 1995 (Drugs@FDA).
| Amlodipine | Guanfacine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Angina, Heart attack and coronary artery disease | ADHD, High blood pressure |
| 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. | Guanfacine is a central alpha 2A -adrenergic receptor agonist. Guanfacine is not a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. The mechanism of action of guanfacine in ADHD is not known. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 31, 1992 | October 27, 1986 |
| First generic approved | October 3, 2005 | October 17, 1995 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 42 labelers | 36 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0102 per tablet (Amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet) | $0.147 per tablet (Guanfacine 1 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | -5% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 30 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 409,186 | 7,825 |
| 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