Two medicines, side by side
Amlodipine vs isosorbide mononitrate
Amlodipine and isosorbide mononitrate are both labeled for angina. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amlodipine since 1992 and of isosorbide mononitrate since 1991. Pharmacies paid $0.0102 per amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet and $0.0688 per isosorbide mononit ER 30 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 isosorbide mononitrate a nitrate vasodilator.
Check it at the source: the amlodipine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 15, 2023); the isosorbide mononitrate FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 11, 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 isosorbide mononitrate record
Isosorbide mononitrate (Ismo) · label of May 11, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsIsosorbide mononitrate extended-release tablets, USP are indicated for the prevention of angina pectoris due to coronary artery disease. The onset of action of oral isosorbide mononitrate is not sufficiently rapid for this product to be useful in aborting an acute anginal episode.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 30, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 21 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0688 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amlodipine label of February 15, 2023, Isosorbide mononitrate label of May 11, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do amlodipine and isosorbide mononitrate differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker and isosorbide mononitrate a nitrate vasodilator.
Generics: amlodipine since 2005; isosorbide mononitrate since 1998 (Drugs@FDA).
| Amlodipine | Isosorbide mononitrate | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Angina, Heart attack and coronary artery disease | Angina |
| Pharmacologic class | Calcium Channel Blocker, Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker | Nitrate Vasodilator |
| 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 mean plasma elimination half-life of ISMN is approximately 5 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 31, 1992 | December 30, 1991 |
| First generic approved | October 3, 2005 | September 22, 1998 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 42 labelers | 21 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0102 per tablet (Amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet) | $0.0688 per tablet (Isosorbide mononit ER 30 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | -4% |
| 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 | 20,616 |
| 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