Two medicines, side by side
Olmesartan vs metoprolol
Olmesartan and metoprolol are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of olmesartan since 2002 and of metoprolol since 1978. Pharmacies paid $0.0805 per olmesartan medoxomil 20 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, olmesartan is an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker and metoprolol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
Check it at the source: the olmesartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 23, 2025); the metoprolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 3, 2026).
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
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 (Olmesartan label of September 23, 2025, Metoprolol label of March 3, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do olmesartan and metoprolol differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, olmesartan is an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker and metoprolol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
How each works, in its label's words: Olmesartan, “Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II).”; Metoprolol, “Metoprolol is a beta 1 -selective (cardioselective) adrenergic receptor blocking agent.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Olmesartan, “Olmesartan appears to be eliminated in a biphasic manner with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 13 …”; Metoprolol, “Elimination Elimination is mainly by biotransformation in the liver, and the plasma half-life ranges from approximately …”
Only the olmesartan label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: olmesartan since 2016; metoprolol since 1993 (Drugs@FDA).
| Olmesartan | Metoprolol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure | 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 is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II). | Metoprolol is a beta 1 -selective (cardioselective) adrenergic receptor blocking agent. |
| Half-life (label) | Olmesartan appears to be eliminated in a biphasic manner with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 13 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 25, 2002 | August 7, 1978 |
| First generic approved | October 26, 2016 | December 21, 1993 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 30 labelers | 74 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0805 per tablet (Olmesartan medoxomil 20 mg tablet) | $0.085 per tablet (Metoprolol succ ER 100 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +1% | -8% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 39 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 35,743 | 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 olmesartan
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions