Two medicines, side by side
Amlodipine vs ramipril
Amlodipine and ramipril are both labeled for high blood pressure and heart attack and coronary artery disease. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amlodipine since 1992 and of ramipril since 1991. Pharmacies paid $0.0102 per amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet and $0.0707 per ramipril 10 mg capsule (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 ramipril an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the amlodipine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 15, 2023); the ramipril FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 24, 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 ramipril record
Ramipril (Altace) · label of August 24, 2026
FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue ramipril as soon as possible ( 5.6 ). Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus ( 5.6 ). WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue ramipril as soon as possible ( 5.6 ). Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus ( 5.6 ).
Used for
From the label: indicationsRamipril capsules are an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor 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. It may be used alone or in combination with thiazide diuretics ( 1.1 ). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 28, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 17 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0707 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amlodipine label of February 15, 2023, Ramipril label of August 24, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do amlodipine and ramipril differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker and ramipril an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor.
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 …”; Ramipril, “Ramipril and ramiprilat inhibit ACE in human subjects and animals.”
Only the ramipril label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: amlodipine since 2005; ramipril since 2005 (Drugs@FDA).
| Amlodipine | Ramipril | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Angina, Heart attack and coronary artery disease | High blood pressure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease |
| Pharmacologic class | Calcium Channel Blocker, Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker | Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor |
| 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. | Ramipril and ramiprilat inhibit ACE in human subjects and animals. Angiotensin converting enzyme is a peptidyl dipeptidase that catalyzes the conversion of angiotensin I to the vasoconstrictor substance, angiotensin II. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The initial rapid decline, which represents distribution of the drug into a large peripheral compartment and subsequent binding to both plasma and tissue ACE, has a half-life of 2 to 4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 31, 1992 | January 28, 1991 |
| First generic approved | October 3, 2005 | October 24, 2005 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 42 labelers | 17 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0102 per tablet (Amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet) | $0.0707 per capsule (Ramipril 10 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | +1% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 30 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 409,186 | 123,138 |
| 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