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Blood pressure medications: Cost Comparison

A side-by-side comparison of common blood-pressure medicines across drug classes — ACE inhibitors (lisinopril), ARBs (losartan, valsartan), beta-blockers (metoprolol, carvedilol, atenolol), a calcium-channel blocker (amlodipine) and diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide). Different mechanisms, same goal of lowering blood pressure.

Across these 10 drugs, average Medicare Part D spending per dosage unit ranges from $0.0584 (Hydrochlorothiazide) to $0.3372 (Valsartan) for calendar year 2024. Figures are real CMS open data, in US dollars.

How much do blood pressure medications cost in the US?

As of calendar year 2024, average Medicare Part D spending per dosage unit for these 10 blood pressure medications ranged from $0.0584 (Hydrochlorothiazide) to $0.3372 (Valsartan), per CMS open data. These are Medicare program spending figures per billing unit — not pharmacy cash prices, and not medical advice.

Source:CMS Medicare Part D Spending by Drug·as of calendar year 2024updated yearly (last: )
Not medical advice — and not a like-for-like price. Each figure is average Medicare Part D program spending per dosage unit, taken unchanged from a public US government dataset. A “dosage unit” differs between drugs (one tablet, one mL, one pen, etc.), so a higher per-unit figure does not always mean a higher monthly cost. These are not pharmacy cash prices, not per-prescription costs, and not price quotes. Always consult a licensed pharmacist or clinician about high blood pressure (hypertension).
Blood pressure medications — CMS Medicare Part D average spending per dosage unit, calendar year 2024 (CMS, public domain)
DrugGeneric (active ingredient)Avg Part D spending / dosage unit2024 Part D claims
Amlodipine BesylateAmlodipine Besylate$0.084850,204,110
LisinoprilLisinopril$0.088936,247,459
Losartan PotassiumLosartan Potassium$0.125636,240,406
Metoprolol SuccinateMetoprolol Succinate$0.182532,213,092
FurosemideFurosemide$0.081223,553,663
HydrochlorothiazideHydrochlorothiazide$0.058418,462,765
Metoprolol TartrateMetoprolol Tartrate$0.059115,912,137
CarvedilolCarvedilol$0.06515,794,645
AtenololAtenolol$0.0886,459,376
ValsartanValsartan$0.33724,691,604

Figures are CMS’s own published Medicare Part D spending values (field Avg_Spnd_Per_Dsg_Unt_Wghtd_2024), reported unchanged. The most-prescribed drug in this group in 2024 was Amlodipine Besylate (50.2 million claims). View the full dataset on CMS data.cms.gov.

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Amlodipine Besylate

Amlodipine Besylate
Avg Medicare Part D spending
$0.0848 / dosage unit
calendar year 2024
2024 Part D claims
50,204,110
how common it is
View full Amlodipine Besylate page →

This is average Medicare Part D program spending per dosage unit, not a pharmacy cash price or a per-prescription cost. Information only — not medical advice and not a price quote.

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Frequently asked questions

Which blood pressure medications are compared here?
This page compares 10 blood pressure medications from the CMS Medicare Part D dataset (calendar year 2024): Amlodipine Besylate, Lisinopril, Losartan Potassium, Metoprolol Succinate, Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, Metoprolol Tartrate, Carvedilol, Atenolol, Valsartan. Each is shown with its real average Medicare Part D spending per dosage unit in US dollars.
What is the cheapest blood pressure medication by Medicare spending per unit?
Among these drugs, Hydrochlorothiazide had the lowest average Medicare Part D spending per dosage unit at $0.0584 (calendar year 2024), and Valsartan the highest at $0.3372. This is program spending per billing unit, not a retail price, and dosage units differ between drugs.
Is this the price I would pay for blood pressure medications?
No. These figures are average Medicare Part D program spending per dosage unit from CMS open data, not a pharmacy cash price or per-prescription cost. What you pay depends on your pharmacy, insurance, manufacturer, dose and region. This is information only, not medical advice.
Can a GeraClinic clinician help with high blood pressure (hypertension)?
A GeraClinic clinician can review your medication for high blood pressure (hypertension), explain the options, and issue or renew a prescription online where clinically appropriate. GeraClinic only lists independently verified, licensed clinicians.

Need help with high blood pressure (hypertension)?

A GeraClinic clinician can review your medication, explain the options, and issue or renew a prescription online where clinically appropriate — without travelling to a clinic.

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Contains public sector information published by U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and licensed under the U.S. Government Works / Public Domain. Source: CMS Medicare Part D Spending by Drug (calendar year 2024, published 2026-06-25).

Informational/educational only — not a substitute for professional medical advice; a clinician interprets results.