Two medicines, side by side
Clonidine vs telmisartan
Clonidine and telmisartan are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of clonidine since 1974 and of telmisartan since 1998. Pharmacies paid $0.0241 per clonidine HCl 0.1 mg tablet and $0.106 per telmisartan 20 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Clonidine's other strengths are brand-only: $1.53 per mL (Javadin 0.02 mg/mL solution). In FDA's classes, clonidine is a central alpha-2 adrenergic agonist and telmisartan an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker.
Check it at the source: the clonidine FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 30, 2026); the telmisartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 29, 2026).
Highlights of the clonidine record
Clonidine (Catapres) · label of March 30, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsClonidine hydrochloride tablets are indicated in the treatment of hypertension. Clonidine hydrochloride tablets may be employed alone or concomitantly with other antihypertensive agents.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 3, 1974
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0241 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 16
Highlights of the telmisartan record
Telmisartan (Micardis) · label of May 29, 2026
FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue telmisartan 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 warnings.
Used for
From the label: indicationsTelmisartanis an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) indicated for: Treatment of hypertension to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions(1.1) 1.1 Hypertension Telmisartan is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 10, 1998
- Generic labelers
- 28 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.106 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Clonidine label of March 30, 2026, Telmisartan label of May 29, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do clonidine and telmisartan differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, clonidine is a central alpha-2 adrenergic agonist and telmisartan an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker.
Half-life, in each label's words: Clonidine, “Following intravenous administration, clonidine displays biphasic disposition with a distribution half-life of about 20 …”; Telmisartan, “Telmisartan shows bi-exponential decay kinetics with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 24 hours.”
Only the telmisartan label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: clonidine since 1986; telmisartan since 2014 (Drugs@FDA).
| Clonidine | Telmisartan | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, ADHD, Pain | High blood pressure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease |
| Pharmacologic class | Central alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist | Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II). |
| Half-life (label) | Following intravenous administration, clonidine displays biphasic disposition with a distribution half-life of about 20 minutes and an elimination half-life ranging from 12 to 16 hours. | Telmisartan shows bi-exponential decay kinetics with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 24 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | September 3, 1974 | November 10, 1998 |
| First generic approved | July 1, 1986 | January 8, 2014 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 43 labelers | 28 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0241 per tablet (Clonidine HCl 0.1 mg tablet) | $0.106 per tablet (Telmisartan 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | -4% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 16 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 57,116 | 17,745 |
| 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 clonidine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions