Two medicines, side by side
Amlodipine vs simvastatin
Amlodipine and simvastatin are both labeled for heart attack and coronary artery disease. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amlodipine since 1992 and of simvastatin since 1991. Pharmacies paid $0.0102 per amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet and $0.0321 per simvastatin 20 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 simvastatin a hmg-coa reductase inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the amlodipine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 15, 2023); the simvastatin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 28, 2025).
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 simvastatin record
Simvastatin (Zocor) · label of March 28, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsZOCOR ® is indicated: To reduce the risk of total mortality by reducing risk of coronary heart disease death, non-fatal myocardial infarction and stroke, and the need for coronary and non-coronary revascularization procedures in adults with established coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, and/or diabetes, who are at high risk of coronary heart disease events. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 23, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 27 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0321 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 26
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amlodipine label of February 15, 2023, Simvastatin label of March 28, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do amlodipine and simvastatin differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker and simvastatin a hmg-coa reductase 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 …”; Simvastatin, “Simvastatin is a prodrug and is hydrolyzed to its active β-hydroxyacid form, simvastatin acid, after administration.”
Generics: amlodipine since 2005; simvastatin since 2006 (Drugs@FDA).
| Amlodipine | Simvastatin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Angina, Heart attack and coronary artery disease | Heart attack and coronary artery disease, High cholesterol, High triglycerides |
| Pharmacologic class | Calcium Channel Blocker, Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker | HMG-CoA Reductase 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. | Simvastatin is a prodrug and is hydrolyzed to its active β-hydroxyacid form, simvastatin acid, after administration. |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 31, 1992 | December 23, 1991 |
| First generic approved | October 3, 2005 | June 23, 2006 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 42 labelers | 27 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0102 per tablet (Amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet) | $0.0321 per tablet (Simvastatin 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | +5% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 30 | 26 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 409,186 | 248,728 |
| 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Amlodipine label, drug interactionsAmlodipine on Other Drugs Simvastatin Co-administration of simvastatin with amlodipine increases the systemic exposure of simvastatin.
Simvastatin label, drug interactionsFor patients taking amiodarone, amlodipine, or ranolazine, do not exceed ZOCOR 20 mg daily [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) ].
Simvastatin label, warnings and precautionsZOCOR dosage modifications are recommended for patients taking lomitapide, verapamil, diltiazem, dronedarone, amiodarone, amlodipine or ranolazine [see Dosage and Administration (2.5) ].
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to amlodipine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions