Two medicines, side by side
Ramipril vs verapamil
Ramipril and verapamil are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of ramipril since 1991 and of verapamil since 1981. Pharmacies paid $0.0707 per ramipril 10 mg capsule and $0.191 per verapamil ER 180 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 verapamil a calcium channel blocker.
Check it at the source: the ramipril FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 24, 2026); the verapamil FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 6, 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 verapamil record
Verapamil (Isoptin) · label of April 6, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsVerapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets are 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. These benefits have been seen in controlled trials of antihypertensive drugs from a wide variety of pharmacologic classes including this drug. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 12, 1981
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.191 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 7
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ramipril label of August 24, 2026, Verapamil label of April 6, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ramipril and verapamil differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, ramipril is an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and verapamil a calcium channel blocker.
How each works, in its label's words: Ramipril, “Ramipril and ramiprilat inhibit ACE in human subjects and animals.”; Verapamil, “Mechanism of action Essential hypertension: Verapamil exerts antihypertensive effects by decreasing systemic vascular resistance, usually without orthostatic decreases in blood pressure or reflex …”
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 …”; Verapamil, “The mean elimination half-life in single-dose studies ranged from 2.8 to 7.4 hours.”
Only the ramipril label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: ramipril since 2005; verapamil since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Ramipril | Verapamil | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease | High blood pressure, Atrial fibrillation, Angina |
| Pharmacologic class | Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor | Calcium Channel 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. | Mechanism of action Essential hypertension: Verapamil exerts antihypertensive effects by decreasing systemic vascular resistance, usually without orthostatic decreases in blood pressure or reflex tachycardia; … |
| 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. | The mean elimination half-life in single-dose studies ranged from 2.8 to 7.4 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | January 28, 1991 | August 12, 1981 |
| First generic approved | October 24, 2005 | November 12, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 17 labelers | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0707 per capsule (Ramipril 10 mg capsule) | $0.191 per tablet (Verapamil ER 180 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +1% | +7% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 7 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 123,138 | 4,242 |
| 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