Two medicines, side by side
Ramipril vs valsartan
Ramipril and valsartan are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of ramipril since 1991 and of valsartan since 1996. Pharmacies paid $0.0707 per ramipril 10 mg capsule and $0.0963 per valsartan 40 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, ramipril is an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and valsartan an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker.
Check it at the source: the ramipril FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 24, 2026); the valsartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 5, 2026).
Highlights of the ramipril record
Ramipril (Altace) · label of August 24, 2026
FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue ramipril as soon as possible ( 5.6 ). Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus ( 5.6 ). WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue ramipril as soon as possible ( 5.6 ). Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus ( 5.6 ).
Used for
From the label: indicationsRamipril capsules are an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor 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. It may be used alone or in combination with thiazide diuretics ( 1.1 ). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 28, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 17 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0707 per capsule
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
Highlights of the valsartan record
Valsartan (Diovan) · label of August 5, 2026
FETAL TOXICITY
When pregnancy is detected, discontinue valsartan tablets as soon as possible. ( 5.1 )
Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus. ( 5.1 ) WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue valsartan tablets as soon as possible. ( 5.1 ).
Used for
From the label: indicationsValsartan tablets are an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) indicated for: • Hypertension, to lower blood pressure in adults and children 6 years and older. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 23, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 34 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0963 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 58
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ramipril label of August 24, 2026, Valsartan label of August 5, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ramipril and valsartan differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, ramipril is an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and valsartan an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker.
How each works, in its label's words: Ramipril, “Ramipril and ramiprilat inhibit ACE in human subjects and animals.”; Valsartan, “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: Ramipril, “The initial rapid decline, which represents distribution of the drug into a large peripheral compartment and subsequent …”; Valsartan, “Valsartan shows bi-exponential decay kinetics following intravenous administration, with an average elimination …”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: ramipril since 2005; valsartan since 2014 (Drugs@FDA).
| Ramipril | Valsartan | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease | High blood pressure, Heart failure |
| Pharmacologic class | Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor | Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker |
| How it works (label) | Ramipril and ramiprilat inhibit ACE in human subjects and animals. Angiotensin converting enzyme is a peptidyl dipeptidase that catalyzes the conversion of angiotensin I to the vasoconstrictor substance, angiotensin II. | Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II). |
| Half-life (label) | The initial rapid decline, which represents distribution of the drug into a large peripheral compartment and subsequent binding to both plasma and tissue ACE, has a half-life of 2 to 4 hours. | Valsartan shows bi-exponential decay kinetics following intravenous administration, with an average elimination half-life of about 6 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | January 28, 1991 | December 23, 1996 |
| First generic approved | October 24, 2005 | June 26, 2014 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 17 labelers | 34 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0707 per capsule (Ramipril 10 mg capsule) | $0.0963 per tablet (Valsartan 40 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +1% | -21% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 58 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 123,138 | 104,490 |
| 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 ramipril
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions