Two medicines, side by side
Diltiazem vs nifedipine
Diltiazem and nifedipine are both labeled for high blood pressure and angina. Drugs@FDA records approvals of diltiazem since 1982 and of nifedipine since 1981. Pharmacies paid $0.144 per diltiazem 24h ER(cd) 120 mg capsule and $0.130 per nifedipine ER 30 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 nifedipine a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker.
Check it at the source: the diltiazem FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 7, 2026); the nifedipine FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 24, 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 nifedipine record
Nifedipine (Procardia) · label of December 24, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsNifedipine extended-release tablets are indicated for the treatment of hypertension. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 31, 1981
- Generic labelers
- 32 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.130 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 7
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Diltiazem label of August 7, 2026, Nifedipine label of December 24, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do diltiazem and nifedipine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker and nifedipine a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker.
Half-life, in each label's words: Diltiazem, “The plasma elimination half-life of diltiazem is approximately 3.0 to 4.5 hours.”; Nifedipine, “The elimination half-life of nifedipine administered as nifedipine extended-release tablets are approximately 7 hours …”
Generics: diltiazem since 1992; nifedipine since 1989 (Drugs@FDA).
| Diltiazem | Nifedipine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Angina, Atrial fibrillation | High blood pressure, Angina |
| Pharmacologic class | Calcium Channel Blocker | Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel 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. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | The plasma elimination half-life of diltiazem is approximately 3.0 to 4.5 hours. | The elimination half-life of nifedipine administered as nifedipine extended-release tablets are approximately 7 hours in contrast to the known 2 hour elimination half-life of nifedipine administered as an immediate … |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 5, 1982 | December 31, 1981 |
| First generic approved | November 5, 1992 | April 28, 1989 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 50 labelers | 32 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.144 per capsule (Diltiazem 24h ER(cd) 120 mg capsule) | $0.130 per tablet (Nifedipine ER 30 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -4% | +19% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 29 | 7 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 34,213 | 41,059 |
| 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?
Nifedipine label, drug interactionsCalcium Channel Blockers Diltiazem: Pre-treatment of healthy volunteers with 30 mg or 90 mg t.i.d. diltiazem p.o. increased the AUC of nifedipine after a single dose of 20 mg nifedipine by factors of 2.2 and 3.1, respectively.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to diltiazem
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions