Two medicines, side by side
Doxazosin vs ramipril
Doxazosin and ramipril are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of doxazosin since 1990 and of ramipril since 1991. Pharmacies paid $0.0752 per doxazosin mesylate 1 mg tablet and $0.0707 per ramipril 10 mg capsule (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, doxazosin is an alpha-adrenergic blocker and ramipril an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the doxazosin FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 15, 2023); the ramipril FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 24, 2026).
Highlights of the doxazosin record
Doxazosin (Cardura) · label of October 15, 2023
Used for
From the label: indicationsCARDURA is an alpha 1 adrenergic antagonist indicated for: • Signs and symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) ( 1.1 ) • Treatment of Hypertension ( 1.2 ) 1.1 Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) CARDURA is indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH. 1.2 Hypertension CARDURA is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 2, 1990
- Generic labelers
- 29 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0752 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 11
Highlights of the ramipril record
Ramipril (Altace) · label of August 24, 2026
FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue ramipril as soon as possible ( 5.6 ). Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus ( 5.6 ). WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue ramipril as soon as possible ( 5.6 ). Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus ( 5.6 ).
Used for
From the label: indicationsRamipril capsules are an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor 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. It may be used alone or in combination with thiazide diuretics ( 1.1 ). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 28, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 17 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0707 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Doxazosin label of October 15, 2023, Ramipril label of August 24, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do doxazosin and ramipril differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, doxazosin is an alpha-adrenergic blocker and ramipril an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor.
How each works, in its label's words: Doxazosin, “Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) The symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), such as urinary frequency, nocturia, weak stream, hesitancy, and incomplete emptying are related to …”; Ramipril, “Ramipril and ramiprilat inhibit ACE in human subjects and animals.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Doxazosin, “Excretion Plasma elimination of doxazosin is biphasic, with a terminal elimination half-life of about 22 hours.”; Ramipril, “The initial rapid decline, which represents distribution of the drug into a large peripheral compartment and subsequent …”
Only the ramipril label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: doxazosin since 2000; ramipril since 2005 (Drugs@FDA).
| Doxazosin | Ramipril | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Enlarged prostate (BPH), High blood pressure | High blood pressure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease |
| Pharmacologic class | alpha-Adrenergic Blocker | Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) The symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), such as urinary frequency, nocturia, weak stream, hesitancy, and incomplete emptying are related to two components, anatomical (static) and … | Ramipril and ramiprilat inhibit ACE in human subjects and animals. Angiotensin converting enzyme is a peptidyl dipeptidase that catalyzes the conversion of angiotensin I to the vasoconstrictor substance, angiotensin II. |
| Half-life (label) | Excretion Plasma elimination of doxazosin is biphasic, with a terminal elimination half-life of about 22 hours. | The initial rapid decline, which represents distribution of the drug into a large peripheral compartment and subsequent binding to both plasma and tissue ACE, has a half-life of 2 to 4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 2, 1990 | January 28, 1991 |
| First generic approved | October 18, 2000 | October 24, 2005 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 29 labelers | 17 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0752 per tablet (Doxazosin mesylate 1 mg tablet) | $0.0707 per capsule (Ramipril 10 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | -10% | +1% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 11 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 35,891 | 123,138 |
| 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 doxazosin
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions