Two medicines, side by side
Diltiazem vs nebivolol
Diltiazem and nebivolol are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of diltiazem since 1982 and of nebivolol since 2007. Pharmacies paid $0.144 per diltiazem 24h ER(cd) 120 mg capsule and $0.141 per nebivolol 10 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 nebivolol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
Check it at the source: the diltiazem FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 7, 2026); the nebivolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 1, 2024).
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 nebivolol record
Nebivolol (Bystolic) · label of August 1, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsINDICATIONS AND USAGE BYSTOLIC is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent 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. ( 1.1 ) 1.1 Hypertension BYSTOLIC is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )]. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 17, 2007
- Generic labelers
- 23 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.141 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 5
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Diltiazem label of August 7, 2026, Nebivolol label of August 1, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do diltiazem and nebivolol differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker and nebivolol a beta-adrenergic 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.”; Nebivolol, “The mechanism of action of the antihypertensive response of BYSTOLIC has not been definitively established.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Diltiazem, “The plasma elimination half-life of diltiazem is approximately 3.0 to 4.5 hours.”; Nebivolol, “The active isomer (d-nebivolol) has an effective half-life of about 12 hours in CYP2D6 extensive metabolizers (most …”
Generics: diltiazem since 1992; nebivolol since 2015 (Drugs@FDA).
| Diltiazem | Nebivolol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Angina, Atrial fibrillation | High blood pressure |
| Pharmacologic class | Calcium Channel Blocker | beta-Adrenergic 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. | The mechanism of action of the antihypertensive response of BYSTOLIC has not been definitively established. |
| Half-life (label) | The plasma elimination half-life of diltiazem is approximately 3.0 to 4.5 hours. | The active isomer (d-nebivolol) has an effective half-life of about 12 hours in CYP2D6 extensive metabolizers (most people), and 19 hours in poor metabolizers and exposure to d-nebivolol is substantially increased in … |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 5, 1982 | December 17, 2007 |
| First generic approved | November 5, 1992 | April 16, 2015 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 50 labelers | 23 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.144 per capsule (Diltiazem 24h ER(cd) 120 mg capsule) | $0.141 per tablet (Nebivolol 10 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -4% | +0.8% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 29 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 34,213 | 33,555 |
| 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?
Nebivolol label, warnings and precautionsNon-dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blockers Because of significant negative inotropic and chronotropic effects in patients treated with β-blockers and calcium channel blockers of the verapamil and diltiazem type, monitor the ECG and blood pressure in patients treated concomitantly with these agents.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to diltiazem
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions