Two medicines, side by side
Nebivolol vs amlodipine
Nebivolol and amlodipine are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of nebivolol since 2007 and of amlodipine since 1992. Pharmacies paid $0.141 per nebivolol 10 mg tablet and $0.0102 per amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, nebivolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker and amlodipine a calcium channel blocker.
Check it at the source: the nebivolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 1, 2024); the amlodipine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 15, 2023).
Highlights of the nebivolol record
Nebivolol (Bystolic) · label of August 1, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsINDICATIONS AND USAGE BYSTOLIC is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent indicated for the 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 BYSTOLIC is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )]. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 17, 2007
- Generic labelers
- 23 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.141 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 5
Highlights of the amlodipine record
Amlodipine (Norvasc) · label of February 15, 2023
Used for
From the label: indicationsNORVASC is a calcium channel blocker and may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive and antianginal agents for the treatment of: • Hypertension ( 1.1 ) o NORVASC is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 31, 1992
- Generic labelers
- 42 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0102 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 30
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Nebivolol label of August 1, 2024, Amlodipine label of February 15, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do nebivolol and amlodipine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, nebivolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker and amlodipine a calcium channel blocker.
How each works, in its label's words: Nebivolol, “The mechanism of action of the antihypertensive response of BYSTOLIC has not been definitively established.”; Amlodipine, “Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist (calcium ion antagonist or slow‑channel blocker) that inhibits the transmembrane influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac …”
Generics: nebivolol since 2015; amlodipine since 2005 (Drugs@FDA).
| Nebivolol | Amlodipine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure | High blood pressure, Angina, Heart attack and coronary artery disease |
| Pharmacologic class | beta-Adrenergic Blocker | Calcium Channel Blocker, Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker |
| How it works (label) | The mechanism of action of the antihypertensive response of BYSTOLIC has not been definitively established. | Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist (calcium ion antagonist or slow‑channel blocker) that inhibits the transmembrane influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle. |
| Half-life (label) | The active isomer (d-nebivolol) has an effective half-life of about 12 hours in CYP2D6 extensive metabolizers (most people), and 19 hours in poor metabolizers and exposure to d-nebivolol is substantially increased in … | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 17, 2007 | July 31, 1992 |
| First generic approved | April 16, 2015 | October 3, 2005 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 23 labelers | 42 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.141 per tablet (Nebivolol 10 mg tablet) | $0.0102 per tablet (Amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +0.8% | -10% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 30 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 33,555 | 409,186 |
| 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 nebivolol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions