Two medicines, side by side
Losartan vs metoprolol
Losartan and metoprolol are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of losartan since 1995 and of metoprolol since 1978. Pharmacies paid $0.0327 per losartan potassium 50 mg tablet and $0.085 per metoprolol succ ER 100 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Metoprolol's other strengths are brand-only: $1.20 per mL (Lopressor 10 mg/mL oral solution). In FDA's classes, losartan is an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker and metoprolol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
Check it at the source: the losartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 20, 2026); the metoprolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 3, 2026).
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
Highlights of the metoprolol record
Metoprolol (Lopressor) · label of March 3, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsTOPROL-XL, metoprolol succinate, is a beta-adrenergic blocker indicated for the treatment of: Hypertension, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. ( 1.1 ) Angina Pectoris. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 7, 1978
- Generic labelers
- 74 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.085 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 39
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Losartan label of January 20, 2026, Metoprolol label of March 3, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do losartan and metoprolol differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, losartan is an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker and metoprolol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
How each works, in its label's words: Losartan, “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 …”; Metoprolol, “Metoprolol is a beta 1 -selective (cardioselective) adrenergic receptor blocking agent.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Losartan, “The terminal half-life of losartan is about 2 hours and of the metabolite is about 6-9 hours.”; Metoprolol, “Elimination Elimination is mainly by biotransformation in the liver, and the plasma half-life ranges from approximately …”
Only the losartan label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: losartan since 2010; metoprolol since 1993 (Drugs@FDA).
| Losartan | Metoprolol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Chronic kidney disease, Stroke prevention | High blood pressure, Angina, Heart failure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease |
| Pharmacologic class | Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker | beta-Adrenergic Blocker |
| How it works (label) | 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 … | Metoprolol is a beta 1 -selective (cardioselective) adrenergic receptor blocking agent. |
| Half-life (label) | The terminal half-life of losartan is about 2 hours and of the metabolite is about 6-9 hours. | Elimination Elimination is mainly by biotransformation in the liver, and the plasma half-life ranges from approximately 3 to 7 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 14, 1995 | August 7, 1978 |
| First generic approved | April 6, 2010 | December 21, 1993 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 43 labelers | 74 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0327 per tablet (Losartan potassium 50 mg tablet) | $0.085 per tablet (Metoprolol succ ER 100 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +2% | -8% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 77 | 39 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 200,566 | 353,609 |
| 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 losartan
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions