Two medicines, side by side
Furosemide vs amlodipine
Furosemide and amlodipine are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of furosemide since 1966 and of amlodipine since 1992. Pharmacies paid $0.490 per mL (Furosemide 20 mg/2 mL vial) and $0.0102 per amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, furosemide is a loop diuretic and amlodipine a calcium channel blocker.
Check it at the source: the furosemide FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 30, 2025); the amlodipine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 15, 2023).
Highlights of the furosemide record
Furosemide (Lasix) · label of September 30, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsEdema LASIX is indicated in adults and pediatric patients for the treatment of edema associated with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and renal disease, including the nephrotic syndrome. LASIX is particularly useful when an agent with greater diuretic potential is desired. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 1, 1966
- Generic labelers
- 52 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.490 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 8
Highlights of the amlodipine record
Amlodipine (Norvasc) · label of February 15, 2023
Used for
From the label: indicationsNORVASC is a calcium channel blocker and may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive and antianginal agents for the treatment of: • Hypertension ( 1.1 ) o NORVASC is 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. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 31, 1992
- Generic labelers
- 42 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0102 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 30
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Furosemide label of September 30, 2025, Amlodipine label of February 15, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do furosemide and amlodipine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, furosemide is a loop diuretic and amlodipine a calcium channel blocker.
Generics: furosemide since 1985; amlodipine since 2005 (Drugs@FDA).
| Furosemide | Amlodipine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Heart failure, High blood pressure, Edema (fluid retention) | High blood pressure, Angina, Heart attack and coronary artery disease |
| Pharmacologic class | Loop Diuretic | Calcium Channel Blocker, Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist (calcium ion antagonist or slow‑channel blocker) that inhibits the transmembrane influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle. |
| Half-life (label) | The terminal half-life of furosemide is approximately 2 hours. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 1, 1966 | July 31, 1992 |
| First generic approved | September 26, 1985 | October 3, 2005 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 52 labelers | 42 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.490 per mL (Furosemide 20 mg/2 mL vial) | $0.0102 per tablet (Amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +31% | -10% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | In shortage | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 8 | 30 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 398,354 | 409,186 |
| 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 furosemide
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions