Two medicines, side by side
Candesartan vs enalapril
Candesartan and enalapril are both labeled for high blood pressure and heart failure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of candesartan since 1998 and of enalapril since 1985. Pharmacies paid $0.478 per candesartan cilexetil 16 mg tablet and $0.0664 per enalapril maleate 10 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, candesartan is an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker and enalapril an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the candesartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 15, 2026); the enalapril FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 23, 2026).
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
Highlights of the enalapril record
Enalapril (Vasotec) · label of January 23, 2026
FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.
When pregnancy is detected, discontinue VASOTEC ® as soon as possible.
Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus (see WARNINGS, Fetal Toxicity ).
Used for
From the label: indicationsHypertension VASOTEC is indicated for the treatment of hypertension. VASOTEC is effective alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents, especially thiazide-type diuretics. The blood pressure lowering effects of VASOTEC and thiazides are approximately additive. Heart Failure VASOTEC is indicated for the treatment of symptomatic congestive heart failure, usually in combination with diuretics and digitalis. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 24, 1985
- Generic labelers
- 28 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0664 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 17
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Candesartan label of January 15, 2026, Enalapril label of January 23, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do candesartan and enalapril differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, candesartan is an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker and enalapril an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor.
How each works, in its label's words: Candesartan, “Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II).”; Enalapril, “Mechanism of Action Enalapril, after hydrolysis to enalaprilat, inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in human subjects and animals.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Candesartan, “The elimination half-life of candesartan is approximately 9 hours.”; Enalapril, “The effective half-life for accumulation of enalaprilat following multiple doses of enalapril maleate is 11 hours.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: candesartan since 2013; enalapril since 2000 (Drugs@FDA).
| Candesartan | Enalapril | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Heart failure | High blood pressure, Heart failure |
| Pharmacologic class | Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker | Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II). | Mechanism of Action Enalapril, after hydrolysis to enalaprilat, inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in human subjects and animals. |
| Half-life (label) | The elimination half-life of candesartan is approximately 9 hours. | The effective half-life for accumulation of enalaprilat following multiple doses of enalapril maleate is 11 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | June 4, 1998 | December 24, 1985 |
| First generic approved | May 3, 2013 | August 22, 2000 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 8 labelers | 28 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.478 per tablet (Candesartan cilexetil 16 mg tablet) | $0.0664 per tablet (Enalapril maleate 10 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -15% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 9 | 17 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 60,889 | 60,702 |
| 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 candesartan
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions