Two medicines, side by side
Atenolol vs diltiazem
Atenolol and diltiazem are both labeled for high blood pressure and angina. Drugs@FDA records approvals of atenolol since 1981 and of diltiazem since 1982. Pharmacies paid $0.0217 per atenolol 25 mg tablet and $0.144 per diltiazem 24h ER(cd) 120 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, atenolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker and diltiazem a calcium channel blocker.
Check it at the source: the atenolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 18, 2025); the diltiazem FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 7, 2026).
Highlights of the atenolol record
Atenolol (Tenormin) · label of September 18, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsHypertension TENORMIN is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure lowers the risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. These benefits have been seen in controlled trials of antihypertensive drugs from a wide variety of pharmacologic classes including atenolol. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 19, 1981
- Generic labelers
- 35 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0217 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 4
Highlights of the diltiazem record
Diltiazem (Cardizem) · label of August 7, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsHypertension Tiazac is indicated for the treatment of hypertension. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive medications. Chronic Stable Angina Tiazac is indicated for the treatment of chronic stable angina.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 5, 1982
- Generic labelers
- 50 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.144 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 29
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Atenolol label of September 18, 2025, Diltiazem label of August 7, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do atenolol and diltiazem differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, atenolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker and diltiazem a calcium channel blocker.
Half-life, in each label's words: Atenolol, “The elimination half-life of oral TENORMIN is approximately 6 to 7 hours, and there is no alteration of the kinetic …”; Diltiazem, “The plasma elimination half-life of diltiazem is approximately 3.0 to 4.5 hours.”
Generics: atenolol since 1988; diltiazem since 1992 (Drugs@FDA).
| Atenolol | Diltiazem | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Angina, Heart attack and coronary artery disease | High blood pressure, Angina, Atrial fibrillation |
| Pharmacologic class | beta-Adrenergic Blocker | Calcium Channel Blocker |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Mechanisms of Action Hypertension: Diltiazem produces its antihypertensive effect primarily by relaxation of vascular smooth muscle and the resultant decrease in peripheral vascular resistance. |
| Half-life (label) | The elimination half-life of oral TENORMIN is approximately 6 to 7 hours, and there is no alteration of the kinetic profile of the drug by chronic administration. | The plasma elimination half-life of diltiazem is approximately 3.0 to 4.5 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 19, 1981 | November 5, 1982 |
| First generic approved | July 15, 1988 | November 5, 1992 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 35 labelers | 50 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0217 per tablet (Atenolol 25 mg tablet) | $0.144 per capsule (Diltiazem 24h ER(cd) 120 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | -4% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 4 | 29 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 132,491 | 34,213 |
| 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?
Atenolol label, warningsBecause coronary artery disease is common and may be unrecognized, it may be prudent not to discontinue TENORMIN therapy abruptly even in patients treated only for hypertension. (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION . ) Concomitant Use of Calcium Channel Blockers Bradycardia and heart block can occur and the left ventricular end diastolic pressure can rise when beta-blockers are administered with verapamil or diltiazem.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to atenolol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions