Two medicines, side by side
Metolazone vs furosemide
Metolazone and furosemide are both labeled for high blood pressure, heart failure and edema (fluid retention). Drugs@FDA records approvals of metolazone since 1973 and of furosemide since 1966. Pharmacies paid $0.233 per metolazone 2.5 mg tablet and $0.490 per mL (Furosemide 20 mg/2 mL vial) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, metolazone is a thiazide-like diuretic and furosemide a loop diuretic.
Check it at the source: the metolazone FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 11, 2025); the furosemide FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 30, 2025).
Highlights of the metolazone record
Metolazone (Zaroxolyn) · label of December 11, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsMetolazone tablets, USP, are indicated for the treatment of salt and water retention including: edema accompanying congestive heart failure; edema accompanying renal diseases, including the nephrotic syndrome and states of diminished renal function. Metolazone tablets, USP, are also indicated for the treatment of hypertension, alone or in combination with other antihypertensive drugs of a different class. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 27, 1973
- Generic labelers
- 19 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.233 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
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
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Metolazone label of December 11, 2025, Furosemide label of September 30, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do metolazone and furosemide differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, metolazone is a thiazide-like diuretic and furosemide a loop diuretic.
Generics: metolazone since 2003; furosemide since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Metolazone | Furosemide | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Edema (fluid retention), Heart failure | Heart failure, High blood pressure, Edema (fluid retention) |
| Pharmacologic class | Thiazide-like Diuretic | Loop Diuretic |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | The terminal half-life of furosemide is approximately 2 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | November 27, 1973 | July 1, 1966 |
| First generic approved | December 19, 2003 | September 26, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 19 labelers | 52 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.233 per tablet (Metolazone 2.5 mg tablet) | $0.490 per mL (Furosemide 20 mg/2 mL vial) |
| 12-month price change | +8% | +31% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 8 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 11,175 | 398,354 |
| 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)
Do their labels mention each other?
Metolazone label, drug interactionsDrug Interactions Diuretics Furosemide and probably other loop diuretics given concomitantly with metolazone can cause unusually large or prolonged losses of fluid and electrolytes (see WARNINGS).
Metolazone label, warningsFurosemide Unusually large or prolonged losses of fluids and electrolytes may result when metolazone tablets, USP, are administered concomitantly to patients receiving furosemide (see PRECAUTIONS , Drug Interactions ).
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to metolazone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions