Two medicines, side by side
Losartan vs nifedipine
Losartan and nifedipine are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of losartan since 1995 and of nifedipine since 1981. Pharmacies paid $0.0327 per losartan potassium 50 mg tablet and $0.130 per nifedipine ER 30 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, losartan is an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker and nifedipine a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker.
Check it at the source: the losartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 20, 2026); the nifedipine FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 24, 2024).
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 nifedipine record
Nifedipine (Procardia) · label of December 24, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsNifedipine extended-release tablets are indicated for the treatment of hypertension. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 31, 1981
- Generic labelers
- 32 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.130 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 7
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Losartan label of January 20, 2026, Nifedipine label of December 24, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do losartan and nifedipine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, losartan is an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker and nifedipine a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker.
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.”; Nifedipine, “The elimination half-life of nifedipine administered as nifedipine extended-release tablets are approximately 7 hours …”
Only the losartan label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: losartan since 2010; nifedipine since 1989 (Drugs@FDA).
| Losartan | Nifedipine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Chronic kidney disease, Stroke prevention | High blood pressure, Angina |
| Pharmacologic class | Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker | Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel 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 … | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | The terminal half-life of losartan is about 2 hours and of the metabolite is about 6-9 hours. | The elimination half-life of nifedipine administered as nifedipine extended-release tablets are approximately 7 hours in contrast to the known 2 hour elimination half-life of nifedipine administered as an immediate … |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 14, 1995 | December 31, 1981 |
| First generic approved | April 6, 2010 | April 28, 1989 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 43 labelers | 32 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0327 per tablet (Losartan potassium 50 mg tablet) | $0.130 per tablet (Nifedipine ER 30 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +2% | +19% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 77 | 7 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 200,566 | 41,059 |
| 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