Two medicines, side by side
Irbesartan vs telmisartan
Irbesartan and telmisartan are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of irbesartan since 1997 and of telmisartan since 1998. Pharmacies paid $0.107 per irbesartan 150 mg tablet and $0.106 per telmisartan 20 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. How each works, in its label's words: Irbesartan, “Angiotensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II).”; Telmisartan, “Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II).”
Check it at the source: the irbesartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 6, 2026); the telmisartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 29, 2026).
Highlights of the irbesartan record
Irbesartan (Avapro) · label of August 6, 2026
FETAL TOXICITY
When pregnancy is detected, discontinue irbesartan tablets as soon as possible [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )].
Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )]. WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.
Used for
From the label: indicationsIrbesartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) indicated for: • Treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. ( 1.1 ) Treatment of diabetic nephropathy in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes, an elevated serum creatinine, and proteinuria. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 30, 1997
- Generic labelers
- 23 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.107 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 10
Highlights of the telmisartan record
Telmisartan (Micardis) · label of May 29, 2026
FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue telmisartan as soon as possible [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1)]. Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1)]. WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warnings.
Used for
From the label: indicationsTelmisartanis an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) indicated for: Treatment of hypertension to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions(1.1) 1.1 Hypertension Telmisartan is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 10, 1998
- Generic labelers
- 28 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.106 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Irbesartan label of August 6, 2026, Telmisartan label of May 29, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do irbesartan and telmisartan differ on the record?
How each works, in its label's words: Irbesartan, “Angiotensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II).”; Telmisartan, “Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II).”
Both are in FDA's class angiotensin 2 receptor blockers.
Half-life, in each label's words: Irbesartan, “The terminal elimination half-life of irbesartan averages 11 to 15 hours.”; Telmisartan, “Telmisartan shows bi-exponential decay kinetics with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 24 hours.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: irbesartan since 2012; telmisartan since 2014 (Drugs@FDA).
| Irbesartan | Telmisartan | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Chronic kidney disease | High blood pressure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease |
| Pharmacologic class | Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker | Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker |
| How it works (label) | Angiotensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II). | Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II). |
| Half-life (label) | The terminal elimination half-life of irbesartan averages 11 to 15 hours. | Telmisartan shows bi-exponential decay kinetics with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 24 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | September 30, 1997 | November 10, 1998 |
| First generic approved | March 30, 2012 | January 8, 2014 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 23 labelers | 28 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.107 per tablet (Irbesartan 150 mg tablet) | $0.106 per tablet (Telmisartan 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -8% | -4% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 10 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 44,400 | 17,745 |
| 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 irbesartan
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions