Two medicines, side by side
Amlodipine vs hydrochlorothiazide
Amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amlodipine since 1992 and of hydrochlorothiazide since 1959. Pharmacies paid $0.0102 per amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet and $0.0115 per hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Hydrochlorothiazide's other strengths are brand-only: $4.46 per mL (Inzirqo 10 mg/mL oral suspension). In FDA's classes, amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker and hydrochlorothiazide a thiazide diuretic.
Check it at the source: the amlodipine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 15, 2023); the hydrochlorothiazide FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 12, 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 hydrochlorothiazide record
Hydrochlorothiazide (Inzirqo) · label of June 12, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsHydrochlorothiazide tablets USP are indicated as adjunctive therapy in edema associated with congestive heart failure, hepatic cirrhosis, and corticosteroid and estrogen therapy. Hydrochlorothiazide tablets USP have also been found useful in edema due to various forms of renal dysfunction such as nephrotic syndrome, acute glomerulonephritis, and chronic renal failure. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 12, 1959
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0115 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 7
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amlodipine label of February 15, 2023, Hydrochlorothiazide label of June 12, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker and hydrochlorothiazide a thiazide diuretic.
Generics: amlodipine since 2005; hydrochlorothiazide since 1973 (Drugs@FDA).
| Amlodipine | Hydrochlorothiazide | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Angina, Heart attack and coronary artery disease | Heart failure, High blood pressure, Edema (fluid retention) |
| Pharmacologic class | Calcium Channel Blocker, Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker | Thiazide Diuretic |
| 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 | When plasma levels have been followed for at least 24 hours, the plasma half-life has been observed to vary between 5.6 and 14.8 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 31, 1992 | February 12, 1959 |
| First generic approved | October 3, 2005 | January 12, 1973 |
| 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) | $0.0115 per tablet (Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | -7% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 30 | 7 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 409,186 | 144,413 |
| 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