Two medicines, side by side
Carvedilol vs spironolactone
Carvedilol and spironolactone are both labeled for high blood pressure and heart failure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of carvedilol since 1995 and of spironolactone since 1960. Pharmacies paid $0.0179 per carvedilol 6.25 mg tablet and $0.0426 per spironolactone 25 mg tablet (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 spironolactone an aldosterone antagonist.
Check it at the source: the carvedilol FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 31, 2026); the spironolactone FDA label on DailyMed (effective November 28, 2025).
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 spironolactone record
Spironolactone (Aldactone) · label of November 28, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsALDACTONE is an aldosterone antagonist indicated for: • The treatment of NYHA Class III–IV heart failure and reduced ejection fraction to increase survival, manage edema, and to reduce the need for hospitalization for heart failure ( 1.1 ). • Use as an add-on therapy for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 21, 1960
- Generic labelers
- 38 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0426 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 6
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Carvedilol label of July 31, 2026, Spironolactone label of November 28, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do carvedilol and spironolactone differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, carvedilol is an alpha-adrenergic blocker and spironolactone an aldosterone antagonist.
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 …”; Spironolactone, “Spironolactone and its active metabolites are specific pharmacologic antagonists of aldosterone, acting primarily through competitive binding of receptors at the aldosterone-dependent …”
Half-life, in each label's words: Carvedilol, “Following oral administration, the apparent mean terminal elimination half-life of carvedilol generally ranges from 7 …”; Spironolactone, “The mean half-life values of its metabolites including canrenone, 7-α-(thiomethyl) spirolactone (TMS), and …”
Generics: carvedilol since 2007; spironolactone since 1980 (Drugs@FDA).
| Carvedilol | Spironolactone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Heart failure, High blood pressure | Heart failure, Edema (fluid retention), High blood pressure |
| Pharmacologic class | alpha-Adrenergic Blocker, beta-Adrenergic Blocker | Aldosterone Antagonist |
| 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. | Spironolactone and its active metabolites are specific pharmacologic antagonists of aldosterone, acting primarily through competitive binding of receptors at the aldosterone-dependent sodium-potassium exchange site in the distal convoluted … |
| Half-life (label) | Following oral administration, the apparent mean terminal elimination half-life of carvedilol generally ranges from 7 to 10 hours. | The mean half-life values of its metabolites including canrenone, 7-α-(thiomethyl) spirolactone (TMS), and 6-β-hydroxy-7-α-(thiomethyl) spirolactone (HTMS) are 16.5, 13.8, and 15 hours, respectively. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | September 14, 1995 | January 21, 1960 |
| First generic approved | September 5, 2007 | May 7, 1980 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 41 labelers | 38 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0179 per tablet (Carvedilol 6.25 mg tablet) | $0.0426 per tablet (Spironolactone 25 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -4% | -14% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 22 | 6 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 137,029 | 139,757 |
| 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 carvedilol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions