Two medicines, side by side
Amlodipine vs amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide/olmesartan
Amlodipine and amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide/olmesartan are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amlodipine since 1992 and of amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide/olmesartan since 2010. Pharmacies paid $0.0102 per amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet and $0.776 per unit (Olmsrtn-amldpn-hydrochlorothiazide 20-5-12.5) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. 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 …”; Amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide/olmesartan, “The active ingredients of Tribenzor target three separate mechanisms involved in blood pressure regulation.”
Check it at the source: the amlodipine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 15, 2023); the amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide/olmesartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 12, 2023).
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 amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan record
Amlodipine and hydrochlorothiazide and olmesartan (Tribenzor) · label of July 12, 2023
FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue Tribenzor as soon as possible. ( 5.1 , 8.1 ) Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) can cause injury and death to the developing fetus. ( 5.1 , 8.1 ) WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue Tribenzor as soon as possible ( 5.1 , 8.1 ).
Used for
From the label: indicationsTribenzor is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, alone or with other antihypertensive agents, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular (CV) events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 23, 2010
- Generic labelers
- 8 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.776 per unit
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amlodipine label of February 15, 2023, Amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide/olmesartan label of July 12, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do amlodipine and amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide/olmesartan differ on the record?
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 …”; Amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide/olmesartan, “The active ingredients of Tribenzor target three separate mechanisms involved in blood pressure regulation.”
Only the amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide/olmesartan label carries a boxed warning.
Both are in FDA's class calcium channel blockers.
Generics: amlodipine since 2005; amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide/olmesartan since 2016 (Drugs@FDA).
| Amlodipine | Amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide/olmesartan | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Angina, Heart attack and coronary artery disease | High blood pressure |
| Pharmacologic class | Calcium Channel Blocker, Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker | Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker, 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. | The active ingredients of Tribenzor target three separate mechanisms involved in blood pressure regulation. |
| 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 | July 23, 2010 |
| First generic approved | October 3, 2005 | October 26, 2016 |
| 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) | $0.776 per unit (Olmsrtn-amldpn-hydrochlorothiazide 20-5-12.5) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | -14% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| 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 | 1,260 |
| 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