Two medicines, side by side
Amlodipine vs indapamide
Amlodipine and indapamide are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amlodipine since 1992 and of indapamide since 1983. Pharmacies paid $0.0102 per amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet and $0.109 per indapamide 1.25 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 indapamide a thiazide-like diuretic.
Check it at the source: the amlodipine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 15, 2023); the indapamide FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 1, 2022).
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 indapamide record
Indapamide (Lozol) · label of October 1, 2022
Used for
From the label: indicationsIndapamide tablets are indicated for the treatment of hypertension, alone or in combination with other antihypertensive drugs. Indapamide tablets are also indicated for the treatment of salt and fluid retention associated with congestive heart failure. Usage in Pregnancy: The routine use of diuretics in an otherwise healthy woman is inappropriate and exposes mother and fetus to unnecessary hazard (see PRECAUTIONS ). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 6, 1983
- Generic labelers
- 8 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.109 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amlodipine label of February 15, 2023, Indapamide label of October 1, 2022); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do amlodipine and indapamide differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker and indapamide a thiazide-like diuretic.
Generics: amlodipine since 2005; indapamide since 1995 (Drugs@FDA).
| Amlodipine | Indapamide | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Angina, Heart attack and coronary artery disease | High blood pressure, Heart failure, Edema (fluid retention) |
| Pharmacologic class | Calcium Channel Blocker, Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker | Thiazide-like 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 | The half-life of indapamide in whole blood is approximately 14 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 31, 1992 | July 6, 1983 |
| First generic approved | October 3, 2005 | July 27, 1995 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 42 labelers | 8 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0102 per tablet (Amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet) | $0.109 per tablet (Indapamide 1.25 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | +9% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 30 | 0 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 409,186 | 17,817 |
| 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