Two medicines, side by side
Chlorthalidone vs amlodipine
Chlorthalidone and amlodipine are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of chlorthalidone since 1960 and of amlodipine since 1992. Pharmacies paid $0.0743 per chlorthalidone 25 mg tablet and $0.0102 per amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Chlorthalidone's other strengths are brand-only: $0.957 per Hemiclor 12.5 mg tablet. In FDA's classes, chlorthalidone is a thiazide-like diuretic and amlodipine a calcium channel blocker.
Check it at the source: the chlorthalidone FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 5, 2026); the amlodipine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 15, 2023).
Highlights of the chlorthalidone record
Chlorthalidone (Hygroton) · label of August 5, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsDiuretics such as chlorthalidone are indicated in the management of hypertension either as the sole therapeutic agent or to enhance the effect of other antihypertensive drugs in the more severe forms of hypertension. Chlorthalidone is indicated as adjunctive therapy in edema associated with congestive heart failure, hepatic cirrhosis, and corticosteroid and estrogen therapy. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 7, 1960
- Generic labelers
- 36 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0743 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
Highlights of the amlodipine record
Amlodipine (Norvasc) · label of February 15, 2023
Used for
From the label: indicationsNORVASC is a calcium channel blocker and may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive and antianginal agents for the treatment of: • Hypertension ( 1.1 ) o NORVASC is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, 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
- July 31, 1992
- Generic labelers
- 42 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0102 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 30
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Chlorthalidone label of August 5, 2026, Amlodipine label of February 15, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do chlorthalidone and amlodipine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, chlorthalidone is a thiazide-like diuretic and amlodipine a calcium channel blocker.
Generics: chlorthalidone since 1981; amlodipine since 2005 (Drugs@FDA).
| Chlorthalidone | Amlodipine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Heart failure, Edema (fluid retention) | High blood pressure, Angina, Heart attack and coronary artery disease |
| Pharmacologic class | Thiazide-like Diuretic | Calcium Channel Blocker, Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist (calcium ion antagonist or slow‑channel blocker) that inhibits the transmembrane influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle. |
| Half-life (label) | The mean half-life following a 50 to 200 mg dose is 40 hours. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 7, 1960 | July 31, 1992 |
| First generic approved | February 26, 1981 | October 3, 2005 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 36 labelers | 42 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0743 per tablet (Chlorthalidone 25 mg tablet) | $0.0102 per tablet (Amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | -10% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 30 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 11,545 | 409,186 |
| 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 chlorthalidone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions