Two medicines, side by side
Telmisartan vs metoprolol
Telmisartan and metoprolol are both labeled for high blood pressure and heart attack and coronary artery disease. Drugs@FDA records approvals of telmisartan since 1998 and of metoprolol since 1978. Pharmacies paid $0.106 per telmisartan 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, telmisartan is an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker and metoprolol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
Check it at the source: the telmisartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 29, 2026); the metoprolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 3, 2026).
Highlights of the telmisartan record
Telmisartan (Micardis) · label of May 29, 2026
FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue telmisartan as soon as possible [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1)]. Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Use in Specific Populations (8.1)]. WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warnings.
Used for
From the label: indicationsTelmisartanis an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) indicated for: 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 Telmisartan is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- November 10, 1998
- Generic labelers
- 28 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.106 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
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 (Telmisartan label of May 29, 2026, Metoprolol label of March 3, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do telmisartan and metoprolol differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, telmisartan is an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker and metoprolol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
How each works, in its label's words: Telmisartan, “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: Telmisartan, “Telmisartan shows bi-exponential decay kinetics with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 24 hours.”; Metoprolol, “Elimination Elimination is mainly by biotransformation in the liver, and the plasma half-life ranges from approximately …”
Only the telmisartan label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: telmisartan since 2014; metoprolol since 1993 (Drugs@FDA).
| Telmisartan | Metoprolol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease | 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) | Telmisartan shows bi-exponential decay kinetics with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 24 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) | November 10, 1998 | August 7, 1978 |
| First generic approved | January 8, 2014 | December 21, 1993 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 28 labelers | 74 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.106 per tablet (Telmisartan 20 mg tablet) | $0.085 per tablet (Metoprolol succ ER 100 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -4% | -8% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 3 | 39 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 17,745 | 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 telmisartan
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions