Two medicines, side by side
Furosemide vs ramipril
Furosemide and ramipril are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of furosemide since 1966 and of ramipril since 1991. Pharmacies paid $0.490 per mL (Furosemide 20 mg/2 mL vial) 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, furosemide is a loop diuretic and ramipril an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the furosemide FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 30, 2025); the ramipril FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 24, 2026).
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 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 (Furosemide label of September 30, 2025, Ramipril label of August 24, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do furosemide and ramipril differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, furosemide is a loop diuretic and ramipril an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor.
Half-life, in each label's words: Furosemide, “The terminal half-life of furosemide is approximately 2 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: furosemide since 1985; ramipril since 2005 (Drugs@FDA).
| Furosemide | Ramipril | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Heart failure, High blood pressure, Edema (fluid retention) | High blood pressure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease |
| Pharmacologic class | Loop Diuretic | Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | n/a | 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) | The terminal half-life of furosemide is approximately 2 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) | July 1, 1966 | January 28, 1991 |
| First generic approved | September 26, 1985 | October 24, 2005 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 52 labelers | 17 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.490 per mL (Furosemide 20 mg/2 mL vial) | $0.0707 per capsule (Ramipril 10 mg capsule) |
| 12-month price change | +31% | +1% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | In shortage | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 8 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 398,354 | 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 furosemide
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions