Two medicines, side by side
Benazepril vs ramipril
Benazepril and ramipril are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of benazepril since 1991 and of ramipril since 1991. Pharmacies paid $0.0789 per benazepril HCl 20 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. How each works, in its label's words: Benazepril, “Benazepril and benazeprilat inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in human subjects and animals.”; Ramipril, “Ramipril and ramiprilat inhibit ACE in human subjects and animals.”
Check it at the source: the benazepril FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 30, 2025); the ramipril FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 24, 2026).
Highlights of the benazepril record
Benazepril (Lotensin) · label of September 30, 2025
FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinueLotensin as soon as possible. Drugs thatactdirectlyon the renin-angiotensin system can causeinjury and death to the developing fetus [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. WARNING-FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribinginformation forcomplete boxed warning. When pregnancyis detected, discontinue Lotensin as soon as possible. ( 5.1 ) Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus.
Used for
From the label: indicationsINDICATIONS AND USAGE Lotensin ® 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. These benefits have been seen in controlled trials of antihypertensive drugs from a wide variety of pharmacologic classes including the class to which this drug principally belongs. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 25, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 21 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0789 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
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 (Benazepril label of September 30, 2025, Ramipril label of August 24, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do benazepril and ramipril differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Benazepril, “Benazepril and benazeprilat inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in human subjects and animals.”; Ramipril, “Ramipril and ramiprilat inhibit ACE in human subjects and animals.”
Both are in FDA's class angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.
Half-life, in each label's words: Benazepril, “The effective half-life of benazeprilat following once daily repeat oral administration of benazepril hydrochloride is …”; Ramipril, “The initial rapid decline, which represents distribution of the drug into a large peripheral compartment and subsequent …”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: benazepril since 2004; ramipril since 2005 (Drugs@FDA).
| Benazepril | Ramipril | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure | High blood pressure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease |
| Pharmacologic class | Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor | Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | Benazepril and benazeprilat inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in human subjects and animals. Benazeprilat has much greater ACE inhibitory activity than does benazepril. | 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) | The effective half-life of benazeprilat following once daily repeat oral administration of benazepril hydrochloride is 10 to 11 hours. | 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) | June 25, 1991 | January 28, 1991 |
| First generic approved | February 11, 2004 | October 24, 2005 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 21 labelers | 17 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0789 per tablet (Benazepril HCl 20 mg tablet) | $0.0707 per capsule (Ramipril 10 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | +6% | +1% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 7,283 | 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 benazepril
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions