Two medicines, side by side
Diltiazem vs losartan
Diltiazem and losartan are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of diltiazem since 1982 and of losartan since 1995. Pharmacies paid $0.144 per diltiazem 24h ER(cd) 120 mg capsule and $0.0327 per losartan potassium 50 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker and losartan an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker.
Check it at the source: the diltiazem FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 7, 2026); the losartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 20, 2026).
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
Highlights of the losartan record
Losartan (Cozaar) · label of January 20, 2026
FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue COZAAR as soon as possible. Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue COZAAR as soon as possible. Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus.
Used for
From the label: indicationsCOZAAR is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) indicated for: Treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure in adults and children greater than 6 years old. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. ( 1.1 ) Reduction of the risk of stroke in patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 14, 1995
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0327 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 77
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Diltiazem label of August 7, 2026, Losartan label of January 20, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do diltiazem and losartan differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker and losartan an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker.
How each works, in its label's words: 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.”; Losartan, “Angiotensin II [formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II)] is a potent vasoconstrictor, the primary vasoactive hormone of the …”
Half-life, in each label's words: Diltiazem, “The plasma elimination half-life of diltiazem is approximately 3.0 to 4.5 hours.”; Losartan, “The terminal half-life of losartan is about 2 hours and of the metabolite is about 6-9 hours.”
Only the losartan label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: diltiazem since 1992; losartan since 2010 (Drugs@FDA).
| Diltiazem | Losartan | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Angina, Atrial fibrillation | High blood pressure, Chronic kidney disease, Stroke prevention |
| Pharmacologic class | Calcium Channel Blocker | Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker |
| How it works (label) | Mechanisms of Action Hypertension: Diltiazem produces its antihypertensive effect primarily by relaxation of vascular smooth muscle and the resultant decrease in peripheral vascular resistance. | Angiotensin II [formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II)] is a potent vasoconstrictor, the primary vasoactive hormone of the renin-angiotensin system, and an important component … |
| Half-life (label) | The plasma elimination half-life of diltiazem is approximately 3.0 to 4.5 hours. | The terminal half-life of losartan is about 2 hours and of the metabolite is about 6-9 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 5, 1982 | April 14, 1995 |
| First generic approved | November 5, 1992 | April 6, 2010 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 50 labelers | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.144 per capsule (Diltiazem 24h ER(cd) 120 mg capsule) | $0.0327 per tablet (Losartan potassium 50 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -4% | +2% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 29 | 77 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 34,213 | 200,566 |
| 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 diltiazem
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions