Two medicines, side by side
Bisoprolol vs diltiazem
Bisoprolol and diltiazem are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of bisoprolol since 1992 and of diltiazem since 1982. Pharmacies paid $0.114 per bisoprolol fumarate 5 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, bisoprolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker and diltiazem a calcium channel blocker.
Check it at the source: the bisoprolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 11, 2026); the diltiazem FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 7, 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 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 (Bisoprolol label of March 11, 2026, Diltiazem label of August 7, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do bisoprolol and diltiazem differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, bisoprolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker and diltiazem a calcium channel 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 …”; Diltiazem, “The plasma elimination half-life of diltiazem is approximately 3.0 to 4.5 hours.”
Generics: bisoprolol since 2000; diltiazem since 1992 (Drugs@FDA).
| Bisoprolol | Diltiazem | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure | 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 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 plasma elimination half-life of diltiazem is approximately 3.0 to 4.5 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 31, 1992 | November 5, 1982 |
| First generic approved | November 16, 2000 | November 5, 1992 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 24 labelers | 50 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.114 per tablet (Bisoprolol fumarate 5 mg tablet) | $0.144 per capsule (Diltiazem 24h ER(cd) 120 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -39% | -4% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 29 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 135,060 | 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)
What next?
- Alternatives to bisoprolol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions