Two medicines, side by side
Diltiazem vs valsartan
Diltiazem and valsartan are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of diltiazem since 1982 and of valsartan since 1996. Pharmacies paid $0.144 per diltiazem 24h ER(cd) 120 mg capsule and $0.0963 per valsartan 40 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 valsartan an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker.
Check it at the source: the diltiazem FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 7, 2026); the valsartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 5, 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 valsartan record
Valsartan (Diovan) · label of August 5, 2026
FETAL TOXICITY
When pregnancy is detected, discontinue valsartan tablets as soon as possible. ( 5.1 )
Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus. ( 5.1 ) WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue valsartan tablets as soon as possible. ( 5.1 ).
Used for
From the label: indicationsValsartan tablets are an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) indicated for: • Hypertension, to lower blood pressure in adults and children 6 years and older. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 23, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 34 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0963 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 58
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Diltiazem label of August 7, 2026, Valsartan label of August 5, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do diltiazem and valsartan differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, diltiazem is a calcium channel blocker and valsartan 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.”; Valsartan, “Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II).”
Half-life, in each label's words: Diltiazem, “The plasma elimination half-life of diltiazem is approximately 3.0 to 4.5 hours.”; Valsartan, “Valsartan shows bi-exponential decay kinetics following intravenous administration, with an average elimination …”
Only the valsartan label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: diltiazem since 1992; valsartan since 2014 (Drugs@FDA).
| Diltiazem | Valsartan | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Angina, Atrial fibrillation | High blood pressure, Heart failure |
| 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 is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II). |
| Half-life (label) | The plasma elimination half-life of diltiazem is approximately 3.0 to 4.5 hours. | Valsartan shows bi-exponential decay kinetics following intravenous administration, with an average elimination half-life of about 6 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 5, 1982 | December 23, 1996 |
| First generic approved | November 5, 1992 | June 26, 2014 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 50 labelers | 34 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.144 per capsule (Diltiazem 24h ER(cd) 120 mg capsule) | $0.0963 per tablet (Valsartan 40 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -4% | -21% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 29 | 58 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 34,213 | 104,490 |
| 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