Two medicines, side by side
Candesartan vs olmesartan
Candesartan and olmesartan are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of candesartan since 1998 and of olmesartan since 2002. Pharmacies paid $0.478 per candesartan cilexetil 16 mg tablet and $0.0805 per olmesartan medoxomil 20 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. 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).”; Olmesartan, “Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II).”
Check it at the source: the candesartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 15, 2026); the olmesartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 23, 2025).
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 olmesartan record
Olmesartan (Benicar) · label of September 23, 2025
FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue Benicar as soon as possible ( 5.1 , 8.1 ). Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus ( 5.1 , 8.1 ). WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue Benicar as soon as possible ( 5.1 , 8.1 ).
Used for
From the label: indicationsBenicar is indicated for the treatment of hypertension in adults and children six years of age and older, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 25, 2002
- Generic labelers
- 30 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0805 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Candesartan label of January 15, 2026, Olmesartan label of September 23, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do candesartan and olmesartan differ on the record?
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).”; Olmesartan, “Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II).”
Both are in FDA's class angiotensin 2 receptor blockers.
Half-life, in each label's words: Candesartan, “The elimination half-life of candesartan is approximately 9 hours.”; Olmesartan, “Olmesartan appears to be eliminated in a biphasic manner with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 13 …”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: candesartan since 2013; olmesartan since 2016 (Drugs@FDA).
| Candesartan | Olmesartan | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Heart failure | High blood pressure |
| Pharmacologic class | Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker | Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker |
| How it works (label) | Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II). | Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II). |
| Half-life (label) | The elimination half-life of candesartan is approximately 9 hours. | Olmesartan appears to be eliminated in a biphasic manner with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 13 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | June 4, 1998 | April 25, 2002 |
| First generic approved | May 3, 2013 | October 26, 2016 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 8 labelers | 30 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.478 per tablet (Candesartan cilexetil 16 mg tablet) | $0.0805 per tablet (Olmesartan medoxomil 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -15% | +1% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 9 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 60,889 | 35,743 |
| 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