Two medicines, side by side
Bisoprolol vs candesartan
Bisoprolol and candesartan are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of bisoprolol since 1992 and of candesartan since 1998. Pharmacies paid $0.114 per bisoprolol fumarate 5 mg tablet and $0.478 per candesartan cilexetil 16 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, bisoprolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker and candesartan an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker.
Check it at the source: the bisoprolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 11, 2026); the candesartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 15, 2026).
Highlights of the bisoprolol record
Bisoprolol (Zebeta) · label of March 11, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsBisoprolol fumarate tablets are indicated in the management of hypertension. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 31, 1992
- Generic labelers
- 24 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.114 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Highlights of the candesartan record
Candesartan (Atacand) · label of January 15, 2026
FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue candesartan cilexetil 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 warning.
Used for
From the label: indicationsCandesartan cilexetil is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) indicated for: Treatment of hypertension in adults and children 1 to < 17 years of age, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions (1.1). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 4, 1998
- Generic labelers
- 8 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.478 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Bisoprolol label of March 11, 2026, Candesartan label of January 15, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do bisoprolol and candesartan differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, bisoprolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker and candesartan an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker.
Half-life, in each label's words: Bisoprolol, “The plasma elimination half-life is 9 to 12 hours and is slightly longer in elderly patients, in part because of …”; Candesartan, “The elimination half-life of candesartan is approximately 9 hours.”
Only the candesartan label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: bisoprolol since 2000; candesartan since 2013 (Drugs@FDA).
| Bisoprolol | Candesartan | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure | High blood pressure, Heart failure |
| Pharmacologic class | beta-Adrenergic Blocker | Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II). |
| Half-life (label) | The plasma elimination half-life is 9 to 12 hours and is slightly longer in elderly patients, in part because of decreased renal function in that population. | The elimination half-life of candesartan is approximately 9 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 31, 1992 | June 4, 1998 |
| First generic approved | November 16, 2000 | May 3, 2013 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 24 labelers | 8 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.114 per tablet (Bisoprolol fumarate 5 mg tablet) | $0.478 per tablet (Candesartan cilexetil 16 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -39% | -15% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 9 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 135,060 | 60,889 |
| 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 bisoprolol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions