Two medicines, side by side
Valsartan vs amlodipine
Valsartan and amlodipine are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of valsartan since 1996 and of amlodipine since 1992. Pharmacies paid $0.0963 per valsartan 40 mg tablet and $0.0102 per amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, valsartan is an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker and amlodipine a calcium channel blocker.
Check it at the source: the valsartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 5, 2026); the amlodipine FDA label on DailyMed (effective February 15, 2023).
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
Highlights of the amlodipine record
Amlodipine (Norvasc) · label of February 15, 2023
Used for
From the label: indicationsNORVASC is a calcium channel blocker and may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive and antianginal agents for the treatment of: • Hypertension ( 1.1 ) o NORVASC is 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. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 31, 1992
- Generic labelers
- 42 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0102 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 30
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Valsartan label of August 5, 2026, Amlodipine label of February 15, 2023); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do valsartan and amlodipine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, valsartan is an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker and amlodipine a calcium channel blocker.
How each works, in its label's words: Valsartan, “Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II).”; Amlodipine, “Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist (calcium ion antagonist or slow‑channel blocker) that inhibits the transmembrane influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac …”
Only the valsartan label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: valsartan since 2014; amlodipine since 2005 (Drugs@FDA).
| Valsartan | Amlodipine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Heart failure | High blood pressure, Angina, Heart attack and coronary artery disease |
| Pharmacologic class | Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker | Calcium Channel Blocker, Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker |
| How it works (label) | Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II). | Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist (calcium ion antagonist or slow‑channel blocker) that inhibits the transmembrane influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle. |
| Half-life (label) | Valsartan shows bi-exponential decay kinetics following intravenous administration, with an average elimination half-life of about 6 hours. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 23, 1996 | July 31, 1992 |
| First generic approved | June 26, 2014 | October 3, 2005 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 34 labelers | 42 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0963 per tablet (Valsartan 40 mg tablet) | $0.0102 per tablet (Amlodipine besylate 5 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -21% | -10% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 58 | 30 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 104,490 | 409,186 |
| 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 valsartan
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions