Two medicines, side by side
Amlodipine vs losartan
Amlodipine and losartan are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amlodipine since 1992 and of losartan since 1995. Pharmacies paid $0.0102 per amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet and $0.0327 per losartan potassium 50 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 losartan an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker.
Check it at the source: the amlodipine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 15, 2023); the losartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 20, 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 losartan record
Losartan (Cozaar) · label of January 20, 2026
FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue COZAAR as soon as possible. Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue COZAAR as soon as possible. Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus.
Used for
From the label: indicationsCOZAAR is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) indicated for: Treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure in adults and children greater than 6 years old. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. ( 1.1 ) Reduction of the risk of stroke in patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 14, 1995
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0327 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 77
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amlodipine label of February 15, 2023, Losartan label of January 20, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do amlodipine and losartan differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker and losartan an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker.
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 …”; Losartan, “Angiotensin II [formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II)] is a potent vasoconstrictor, the primary vasoactive hormone of the …”
Only the losartan label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: amlodipine since 2005; losartan since 2010 (Drugs@FDA).
| Amlodipine | Losartan | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Angina, Heart attack and coronary artery disease | High blood pressure, Chronic kidney disease, Stroke prevention |
| Pharmacologic class | Calcium Channel Blocker, Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker | Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker |
| 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. | Angiotensin II [formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II)] is a potent vasoconstrictor, the primary vasoactive hormone of the renin-angiotensin system, and an important component … |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The terminal half-life of losartan is about 2 hours and of the metabolite is about 6-9 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 31, 1992 | April 14, 1995 |
| First generic approved | October 3, 2005 | April 6, 2010 |
| 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) | $0.0327 per tablet (Losartan potassium 50 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | +2% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 30 | 77 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 409,186 | 200,566 |
| 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