Two medicines, side by side
Nebivolol vs olmesartan
Nebivolol and olmesartan are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of nebivolol since 2007 and of olmesartan since 2002. Pharmacies paid $0.141 per nebivolol 10 mg tablet and $0.0805 per olmesartan medoxomil 20 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 olmesartan an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker.
Check it at the source: the nebivolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 1, 2024); the olmesartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 23, 2025).
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 olmesartan record
Olmesartan (Benicar) · label of September 23, 2025
FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue Benicar as soon as possible ( 5.1 , 8.1 ). Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus ( 5.1 , 8.1 ). WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue Benicar as soon as possible ( 5.1 , 8.1 ).
Used for
From the label: indicationsBenicar is indicated for the treatment of hypertension in adults and children six years of age and older, 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
- April 25, 2002
- Generic labelers
- 30 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0805 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Nebivolol label of August 1, 2024, Olmesartan label of September 23, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do nebivolol and olmesartan differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, nebivolol is a beta-adrenergic blocker and olmesartan an angiotensin 2 receptor 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.”; Olmesartan, “Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II).”
Half-life, in each label's words: Nebivolol, “The active isomer (d-nebivolol) has an effective half-life of about 12 hours in CYP2D6 extensive metabolizers (most …”; Olmesartan, “Olmesartan appears to be eliminated in a biphasic manner with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 13 …”
Only the olmesartan label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: nebivolol since 2015; olmesartan since 2016 (Drugs@FDA).
| Nebivolol | Olmesartan | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure | High blood pressure |
| Pharmacologic class | beta-Adrenergic Blocker | Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker |
| How it works (label) | The mechanism of action of the antihypertensive response of BYSTOLIC has not been definitively established. | Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II). |
| 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 … | Olmesartan appears to be eliminated in a biphasic manner with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 13 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 17, 2007 | April 25, 2002 |
| First generic approved | April 16, 2015 | October 26, 2016 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 23 labelers | 30 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.141 per tablet (Nebivolol 10 mg tablet) | $0.0805 per tablet (Olmesartan medoxomil 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +0.8% | +1% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 2 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 33,555 | 35,743 |
| 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