Calcium channel blockers compared
Compare all 10 calcium channel blockers side by side, used for conditions such as angina pectoris, variant, coronary artery disease, hypertension. Calcium channel blockers are the Calcium Channel Blocker class. They share one FDA-defined mechanism but differ in approved uses, prescription status, brand-vs-generic options, price, and FDA recall-safety record — which our independent rating scores. The highest-rated is amlodipine besylate.
Top-rated calcium channel blocker: 1. Amlodipine Besylate · 2. Norvasc · 3. Verapamil Hydrochloride
| Drug | Generic | Form | Status | Used for | Safety ratingFDA recall-based | Pharmacy pays |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amlodipine Besylate | — | Tablet | Prescription | Angina Pectoris, Variant, Coronary Artery Disease | 72/100 | $0 |
| Norvasc | Amlodipine Besylate | Tablet | Prescription | Angina Pectoris, Variant, Coronary Artery Disease | 70/100 | $0 |
| Verapamil Hydrochloride | — | Injectable | Prescription | Angina Pectoris, Variant, Atrial Fibrillation | 70/100 | $6 |
| Verelan | Verapamil Hydrochloride | Capsule | Prescription | Angina Pectoris, Variant, Atrial Fibrillation | 70/100 | $6 |
| Verelan Pm | Verapamil Hydrochloride | Capsule | Prescription | Angina Pectoris, Variant, Atrial Fibrillation | 70/100 | $6 |
| Cardizem Cd | Diltiazem Hydrochloride | Capsule | Prescription | Angina Pectoris, Variant, Atrial Fibrillation | Not yet rated | $9 |
| Cardizem La | Diltiazem Hydrochloride | Tablet | Prescription | Angina Pectoris, Variant, Atrial Fibrillation | Not yet rated | $9 |
| Norliqva | Amlodipine Besylate | Solution | Prescription | Angina Pectoris, Variant, Coronary Artery Disease | Not yet rated | $0 |
| Sdamlo | Amlodipine Besylate | Solution | Prescription | Angina Pectoris, Variant, Coronary Artery Disease | Not yet rated | $0 |
| Tiazac | Diltiazem Hydrochloride | Capsule | Prescription | Angina Pectoris, Variant, Atrial Fibrillation | Not yet rated | $9 |
The safety rating column is unique to pharmaranks — an independent 0–100 score from FDA regulatory recall data. Higher is safer. Not medical advice.
Best calcium channel blocker by condition
Full ranking · 10 drugs
- 172/100
amlodipine besylate
Amlodipine Besylate
- 270/100
norvasc
Amlodipine Besylate
- 370/100
verapamil hydrochloride
Verapamil Hydrochloride
- 470/100
verelan
Verapamil Hydrochloride
- 570/100
verelan pm
Verapamil Hydrochloride
- 6New
cardizem cd
Diltiazem Hydrochloride
- 7New
cardizem la
Diltiazem Hydrochloride
- 8New
norliqva
Amlodipine Besylate
- 9New
sdamlo
Amlodipine Besylate
- 10New
tiazac
Diltiazem Hydrochloride
Frequently asked questions
What is the Calcium Channel Blocker drug class?
Calcium Channel Blocker is an FDA Established Pharmacologic Class (EPC) — a group of drugs that share a mechanism of action. pharmaranks lists 10 Calcium Channel Blocker products, each independently rated.
Are all Calcium Channel Blocker drugs the same?
No. Calcium Channel Blocker drugs share the same core mechanism — that is why they sit in one FDA class — but they differ in their approved uses, available forms, whether they are prescription or over-the-counter, brand-vs-generic options and price, and their FDA recall-safety record.
Is "calcium channel blockers" the same as the Calcium Channel Blocker class?
Yes — "calcium channel blockers" is the everyday name for the Calcium Channel Blocker drug class. This page compares the 10 calcium channel blockers pharmaranks rates, with our independent FDA recall-safety score for each.
What conditions do Calcium Channel Blocker drugs treat?
Per NIH RxClass drug-classification data, Calcium Channel Blocker drugs are used for conditions including angina pectoris, variant, coronary artery disease, hypertension, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, myocardial infarction.
Which Calcium Channel Blocker drug is best-rated?
By our independent rating, amlodipine besylate currently ranks highest among Calcium Channel Blocker drugs. Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data — always consult a professional.
Sources: the Calcium Channel Blocker class definition and its member drugs come from the U.S. NLM RxClass (Established Pharmacologic Class); how the class works is summarized from Calcium Channel Blockers - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. Ratings are pharmaranks’ independent FDA recall-safety analysis.