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Key takeaways
The generic for Norvasc is amlodipine, which became available in 2007.
The primary difference between brand-name and generic Norvasc is their inactive ingredients, which rarely affect clinical outcomes.
Alternatives to Norvasc include other calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, or, in some cases, diuretics.
Norvasc is a brand-name calcium channel blocker used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and angina (chest pain) associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). It lowers blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels (vasodilation). Norvasc is sometimes prescribed off-label for Raynaud’s syndrome. Like other brand-name prescription drugs, Norvasc is relatively expensive. Fortunately, a generic version, amlodipine besylate, is available at a much lower cost. Amlodipine, which first hit pharmacy shelves in 2007, is widely available across the United States.
Norvasc generic availability |
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|---|---|
| Generic name | Amlodipine besylate |
| FDA approval date of generic version | 2007 |
| Is there a generic available for sale in the U.S.? | Yes |
What are the differences between generic and brand-name Norvasc?
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a drug’s generic counterpart must have the same active ingredients, dosage, quality, safety, and therapeutic effects. One 2020 study did find a small difference in the effectiveness of brand-name versus generic antidepressants. However, other research has found comparable clinical outcomes between brand-name and generic drugs. “I encourage patients to use generic medications in most instances as the efficacy is equivalent,” says Chrissie Ott, MD, a double board-certified internist and pediatrician in Portland, Oregon.
So, what is different between Norvasc and amlodipine? Potentially, these things:
- Inactive ingredients. Generics and brand-name drugs may contain different inactive ingredients, such as dyes and fillers, as long as the inactive ingredients do not interfere with the active ingredient.
- Appearance. Per the FDA, trademark laws prohibit generics from looking exactly like brand-name drugs, so generics are often a different color or shape.
- Cost. Generic drugs cost less than their brand-name counterparts. That’s because generic manufacturers are creating a copy, not starting from scratch. They don’t need to perform all the clinical trials showing safety and efficacy that brand-name manufacturers must complete for FDA approval.
Bottom line: Generic and brand-name drugs are much more similar than different. “If a patient was truly fixated on getting brand-name Norvasc … [they] need to know that they may pay significantly more out-of-pocket, depending on their pharmacy benefit,” Dr. Ott says.
Norvasc (amlodipine) at a glance |
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|---|---|
| Uses |
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| Dosage form |
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| Common side effects of amlodipine |
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| Serious side effects |
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| Drug interactions |
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| Warnings | Tell your provider if:
Tell your provider if you experience:
Do not stop taking this medication without consulting a healthcare professional. |
How much does generic Norvasc cost?
Generic Norvasc costs much less than brand-name Norvasc. The average price of amlodipine is $63 for 30, 10-milligram (mg) tablets, whereas the average price of Norvasc is $430 for 30, 10 mg tablets. Actual prices vary by pharmacy and location.
The good news is that there are ways to save on both brand-name and generic Norvasc. For instance, a SingleCare discount card or free coupons can lower the cost of brand-name Norvasc to $367 for 30 10mg tablets from Kroger Pharmacy in ZIP code 23666. The same discount card or a free SingleCare coupon can lower the cost of generic amlodipine besylate to as little as $4 for 30 10mg tablets.
Brand vs. generic Norvasc prices |
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|---|---|---|
| Brand-name Norvasc | Norvasc generic (amlodipine besylate) | |
| Average cost without insurance | $430 for 30, 10 mg tablets of Norvasc | $63 for 30 10 mg tablets of amlodipine besylate |
| SingleCare’s lowest price | $367 for 30, 10 mg tablets of brand-name Norvasc | $4 for 30, 10 mg tablets of amlodipine besylate |
| Free coupons | Norvasc coupons | Amlodipine besylate coupons |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of February 11, 0226. The listed price, without insurance, refers to the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available.
Is Norvasc covered by insurance?
Insurance coverage of Norvasc varies by provider and plan. But Dr. Ott says that “in today’s healthcare environment,” insurance policies strongly prefer — aka, are more likely to approve coverage for or to cover a higher percentage of the cost of — generics. “I have not personally prescribed brand-name Norvasc as it is not typically covered by Medicare or Medicaid,” adds Troy Alexander-EL, MD, a board-certified internal medicine physician and community primary care provider based in Portland, Oregon.
An important note: Insurance providers may deny coverage if amlodipine is prescribed for an off-label condition. Talk to your insurance provider if you’re concerned about paying for amlodipine without insurance.
Save up to 80% on Norvasc with SingleCare
Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.
How do you get Norvasc covered by insurance?
As an antihypertensive agent, generic Norvasc (aka, amlodipine) is likely to be covered by most insurance providers. “It can be covered by private insurance plans, typically with completion of a prior authorization form,” Dr. Alexander-EL says. Often, prior authorization is not even required.
If coverage is denied, check with your pharmacist to ensure the prescription includes all necessary information and is not incorrectly coded. If insurance still denies the prescription, talk to your healthcare provider about alternatives to Norvasc.
Generic alternatives to Norvasc
Norvasc is not the only medication to help high blood pressure. Amlopodine alternatives for hypertension to discuss with your healthcare provider include:
- Other calcium channel blockers, such as verapamil and nifedipine
- ACE inhibitors such as benazepril and lisinopril
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) such as valsartan or losartan
- Diuretics such as indapamide and hydrochlorothiazide
Alternatives for angina or off-label use of Norvasc — as a treatment for Reynauld’s syndrome, primarily— may be different. Anyone hoping to switch from Norvasc to a different prescription medication should seek personalized medical advice from a provider familiar with their health goals, medical history, other conditions, and other medications, including over-the-counter medicines and supplements.
Expert takeaway
“Generic Norvasc is one of the first-line choices for hypertension treatment based on its effectiveness for this indication and its economic practicality compared to the brand-name version,” explains Chad Shaffer, MD, a member of the SingleCare Medical Board.
- Mylan Laboratories launches amlodipine besylate tablets and has triggered its 180 days of exclusivity, Mylan (2007)
- Generic drugs: questions & answers, Food and Drug Administration (2021)
- Generic drugs: overview and basics, Food and Drug Administration (2025)
- Brand-name antidepressants outperform their generic counterparts in preventing hospitalization for depression: The real-world evidence from Taiwan, International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology (2020)
- Comparative effectiveness of generic and brand-name medication use: A database study of U.S. health insurance claims, PLoS Medicine (2019)
- A review of the differences and similarities between generic drugs and their originator counterparts, including economic benefits associated with usage of generic medicines, using Ireland as a case study, BMC Pharmacology and Technology (2013)
- NORVASC– amlodipine besylate tablet, DailyMed (2019)