Two medicines, side by side
Labetalol vs losartan
Labetalol and losartan are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of labetalol since 1984 and of losartan since 1995. Pharmacies paid $0.215 per labetalol HCl 300 mg tablet and $0.0327 per losartan potassium 50 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, labetalol is a beta-adrenergic blocker and losartan an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker.
Check it at the source: the labetalol FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 2, 2026); the losartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 20, 2026).
Highlights of the labetalol record
Labetalol (Trandate) · label of March 2, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsLabetalol hydrochloride tablets, USP are indicated in the management of hypertension. Labetalol hydrochloride tablets USP may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents, especially thiazide and loop diuretics.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 1, 1984
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.215 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 6
Highlights of the losartan record
Losartan (Cozaar) · label of January 20, 2026
FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue COZAAR as soon as possible. Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue COZAAR as soon as possible. Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus.
Used for
From the label: indicationsCOZAAR is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) indicated for: Treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure in adults and children greater than 6 years old. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. ( 1.1 ) Reduction of the risk of stroke in patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 14, 1995
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0327 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 77
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Labetalol label of March 2, 2026, Losartan label of January 20, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do labetalol and losartan differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, labetalol is a beta-adrenergic blocker and losartan an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker.
Half-life, in each label's words: Labetalol, “The plasma half-life of labetalol following oral administration is about 6 to 8 hours.”; Losartan, “The terminal half-life of losartan is about 2 hours and of the metabolite is about 6-9 hours.”
Only the losartan label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: labetalol since 1998; losartan since 2010 (Drugs@FDA).
| Labetalol | Losartan | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure | High blood pressure, Chronic kidney disease, Stroke prevention |
| Pharmacologic class | beta-Adrenergic Blocker | Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Angiotensin II [formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II)] is a potent vasoconstrictor, the primary vasoactive hormone of the renin-angiotensin system, and an important component … |
| Half-life (label) | The plasma half-life of labetalol following oral administration is about 6 to 8 hours. | The terminal half-life of losartan is about 2 hours and of the metabolite is about 6-9 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 1, 1984 | April 14, 1995 |
| First generic approved | August 3, 1998 | April 6, 2010 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 43 labelers | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.215 per tablet (Labetalol HCl 300 mg tablet) | $0.0327 per tablet (Losartan potassium 50 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +3% | +2% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 6 | 77 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 13,250 | 200,566 |
| 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 labetalol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions