Two medicines, side by side
Amlodipine vs telmisartan
Amlodipine and telmisartan are both labeled for high blood pressure and heart attack and coronary artery disease. Drugs@FDA records approvals of amlodipine since 1992 and of telmisartan since 1998. Pharmacies paid $0.0102 per amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet and $0.106 per telmisartan 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 telmisartan an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker.
Check it at the source: the amlodipine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 15, 2023); the telmisartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 29, 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 telmisartan record
Telmisartan (Micardis) · label of May 29, 2026
FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue telmisartan as soon as possible [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1)]. Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1)]. WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warnings.
Used for
From the label: indicationsTelmisartanis an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) indicated for: Treatment of hypertension to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions(1.1) 1.1 Hypertension Telmisartan is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 10, 1998
- Generic labelers
- 28 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.106 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Amlodipine label of February 15, 2023, Telmisartan label of May 29, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do amlodipine and telmisartan differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker and telmisartan 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 …”; Telmisartan, “Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II).”
Only the telmisartan label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: amlodipine since 2005; telmisartan since 2014 (Drugs@FDA).
| Amlodipine | Telmisartan | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 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 is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II). |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | Telmisartan shows bi-exponential decay kinetics with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 24 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 31, 1992 | November 10, 1998 |
| First generic approved | October 3, 2005 | January 8, 2014 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 42 labelers | 28 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0102 per tablet (Amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet) | $0.106 per tablet (Telmisartan 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | -4% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 30 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 409,186 | 17,745 |
| 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