Two medicines, side by side
Carvedilol vs diltiazem
Carvedilol and diltiazem are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of carvedilol since 1995 and of diltiazem since 1982. Pharmacies paid $0.0179 per carvedilol 6.25 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, carvedilol is an alpha-adrenergic blocker and diltiazem a calcium channel blocker.
Check it at the source: the carvedilol FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 31, 2026); the diltiazem FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 7, 2026).
Highlights of the carvedilol record
Carvedilol (Coreg) · label of July 31, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsINDICATIONS AND USAGE COREG is an alpha-/beta-adrenergic blocking agent indicated for the treatment of: mild to severe chronic heart failure ( 1.1 ) left ventricular dysfunction following myocardial infarction in clinically stable patients ( 1.2 ) hypertension ( 1.3 ) 1.1 Heart Failure COREG is indicated for the treatment of mild-to-severe chronic heart failure of ischemic or cardiomyopathic origin, usually in […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 14, 1995
- Generic labelers
- 41 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0179 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 22
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 (Carvedilol label of July 31, 2026, Diltiazem label of August 7, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do carvedilol and diltiazem differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, carvedilol is an alpha-adrenergic blocker and diltiazem a calcium channel blocker.
How each works, in its label's words: Carvedilol, “COREG is a racemic mixture in which nonselective β-adrenoreceptor blocking activity is present in the S(-) enantiomer and α1-adrenergic blocking activity is present in both R(+) and S(-) enantiomers …”; Diltiazem, “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, in each label's words: Carvedilol, “Following oral administration, the apparent mean terminal elimination half-life of carvedilol generally ranges from 7 …”; Diltiazem, “The plasma elimination half-life of diltiazem is approximately 3.0 to 4.5 hours.”
Generics: carvedilol since 2007; diltiazem since 1992 (Drugs@FDA).
| Carvedilol | Diltiazem | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Heart failure, High blood pressure | High blood pressure, Angina, Atrial fibrillation |
| Pharmacologic class | alpha-Adrenergic Blocker, beta-Adrenergic Blocker | Calcium Channel Blocker |
| How it works (label) | COREG is a racemic mixture in which nonselective β-adrenoreceptor blocking activity is present in the S(-) enantiomer and α1-adrenergic blocking activity is present in both R(+) and S(-) enantiomers at equal potency. | 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) | Following oral administration, the apparent mean terminal elimination half-life of carvedilol generally ranges from 7 to 10 hours. | The plasma elimination half-life of diltiazem is approximately 3.0 to 4.5 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | September 14, 1995 | November 5, 1982 |
| First generic approved | September 5, 2007 | November 5, 1992 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 41 labelers | 50 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0179 per tablet (Carvedilol 6.25 mg tablet) | $0.144 per capsule (Diltiazem 24h ER(cd) 120 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -4% | -4% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 22 | 29 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 137,029 | 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Carvedilol label, drug interactionsAs with other β-blockers, if COREG is administered with calcium channel blockers of the verapamil or diltiazem type, it is recommended that ECG and blood pressure be monitored.
Carvedilol label, drug interactionsAs with other β-blockers, if COREG CR is administered with calcium channel blockers of the verapamil or diltiazem type, it is recommended that ECG and blood pressure be monitored.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to carvedilol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions