Key takeaways
- Lisinopril and amlodipine are both effective for treating high blood pressure, but they work in different ways. For example, lisinopril is an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, while amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker (CCB).
- Lisinopril may cause cough as a side effect, while amlodipine may cause edema (fluid buildup and bloating). Both medications can cause dizziness, fatigue, and low blood pressure.
- Doctors may prescribe lisinopril and amlodipine together to treat high blood pressure, though this combination can increase the risk of low blood pressure. Talk with your healthcare professional to determine which medication or combination is right for you.
Overview
Lisinopril oral tablet (Zestril) and amlodipine oral tablet (Norvasc) are generic prescription drugs used to treat high blood pressure. These medications come as tablets you’ll take by mouth once per day.
Lisinopril and amlodipine are both used for the same condition, but they have key differences, including in drug class and possible side effects. You can view detailed articles about lisinopril oral tablet and amlodipine oral tablet if you’d like more information about these drugs.
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Lisinopril vs. amlodipine at a glance
Lisinopril and amlodipine may appear very similar, as they’re both commonly used for high blood pressure treatment. However, they have several important differences:
- Drug class: Lisinopril is an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, while amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker (CCB).
- Uses: Both are used for high blood pressure, but lisinopril is also used for heart failure, whereas amlodipine can be used for angina and coronary artery disease (CAD).
- Side effects: These drugs may cause many of the same side effects, but lisinopril may cause a cough as a side effect, whereas amlodipine is more likely to cause edema.
Let’s take a look at lisinopril vs. amlodipine in more detail.
Common questions about lisinopril and amlodipine
Below, you’ll find answers to some common questions about the lisinopril oral tablet and the amlodipine oral tablet.
Is lisinopril or amlodipine more effective?
Lisinopril and amlodipine are both considered effective for managing high blood pressure, and some research finds they have a similar level of effectiveness.
Which drug is best for you typically depends on your health history and the possibility of side effects. A doctor will usually determine which drug to prescribe.
Is it safe to take lisinopril and amlodipine together?
It depends. Lisinopril and amlodipine are commonly prescribed together. But whether it’s safe for you to take them together depends on your health history.
Doctors prescribe lisinopril and amlodipine to treat high blood pressure. It’s common for them to prescribe two or more medications together for treating this condition, and lisinopril and amlodipine is a common combination.
That said, taking lisinopril and amlodipine together does raise the risk of certain side effects, including low blood pressure. If your doctor prescribes these drugs together for you, they may monitor your blood pressure more closely.
Why would my doctor recommend switching from amlodipine to lisinopril?
Your doctor may suggest switching from amlodipine to lisinopril or vice versa if you have bothersome side effects from either drug. They may also suggest switching medications if your current treatment isn’t working to manage your blood pressure.
Your doctor can provide more details about your high blood pressure treatment plan. They can explain which medication is best for you and why.
Side effects of lisinopril and amlodipine
Lisinopril and amlodipine may cause mild or serious side effects. Some of the more common mild side effects of each drug are listed below. Serious side effects of the lisinopril oral tablet and the amlodipine oral tablet are also listed.
To find more information, you can view the prescribing information for lisinopril and amlodipine. You can also check out these articles about lisinopril oral tablet side effects and amlodipine oral tablet side effects.
Mild side effects
Below are some of the mild side effects reported with lisinopril and amlodipine:
| lisinopril oral tablet | amlodipine oral tablet | |
|---|---|---|
| cough | ✓ | |
| edema (fluid buildup and bloating) | ✓ | |
| fatigue (low energy) | ✓ | ✓ |
| dizziness | ✓ | ✓ |
| mild allergic reaction | ✓ | ✓ |
Serious side effects
Below are serious side effects reported with lisinopril and amlodipine:
| lisinopril oral tablet | amlodipine oral tablet | |
|---|---|---|
| new or worsening angina (a type of chest pain) | ✓ | |
| low blood pressure | ✓ | ✓ |
| heart attack | ✓ | |
| irregular heart beat | ✓ | |
| angioendema (a type of swelling) | ✓ | |
| high blood potassium level | ✓ | |
| kidney problems, including sudden kidney failure | ✓ | |
| liver problems, including liver failure | ✓ | |
| blood cell problems, including low white blood cell count | ✓ | |
| serious allergic reaction | ✓ | ✓ |
| boxed warning: risk of fetal harm | ✓ |
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible, but they’re not common. If you have serious side effects from lisinopril or amlodipine, call your doctor right away. If your symptoms are severe or you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Dosage of lisinopril and amlodipine
Below is dosage information for the conditions that both lisinopril oral tablet and amlodipine oral tablet are prescribed to treat. To find detailed dosage information for all conditions that these drugs treat, see these articles about lisinopril oral tablet dosage and amlodipine oral tablet dosage.
If your doctor prescribes either medication, you should follow the dosage they prescribe. They’ll advise the dosage that’s best for your condition. Do not adjust your dosage without first talking with your doctor.
Lisinopril’s dosage
Below is a summary of the recommended dosages of the lisinopril oral tablet in adults and children. The strength is measured in milligrams (mg).
| Condition | How it’s taken | Recommended dose | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| high blood pressure in adults | oral tablet | 10 mg to 40 mg | taken once per day |
| high blood pressure in certain children ages 6 years and older | oral tablet | 2.5 to 40 mg | taken once per day |
Amlodipine’s dosage
Below is a summary of the recommended dosages of the amlodipine oral tablet in adults and children. Strength is measured in milligrams (mg).
| Condition | How it’s taken | Recommended dose | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| high blood pressure in adults | oral tablet | 5 mg to 10 mg | taken once per day |
| high blood pressure in children ages 6 years and older | oral tablet | 2.5 mg to 5 mg | taken once per day |
Cost of lisinopril and amlodipine
As with the cost of other medications, the cost of lisinopril and amlodipine can vary. Their price may be affected by:
- whether they’re covered by health insurance, if you have coverage
- the pharmacy they’re purchased from
Coupons and cost savings
To view drug prices when Optum Perks coupons are applied, see this coupon page for lisinopril oral tablet and this coupon page for amlodipine oral tablet. You can also check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.
If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.
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Get free cardUses of lisinopril and amlodipine
Here’s a summary of lisinopril oral tablet’s and amlodipine oral tablet’s approved uses:
| lisinopril oral tablet | amlodipine oral tablet | |
|---|---|---|
| Approved uses | • treat high blood pressure • treat heart failure • lower the risk of death following a heart attack | • treat high blood pressure • treat angina (a type of chest pain) • treat coronary artery disease |
| Prescribed to | adults and, for certain uses, children ages 6 years and older | adults and, for certain uses, children ages 6 years and older |
Lisinopril is prescribed together with other drugs, such as aspirin, for lowering the risk of death following a heart attack.
Warnings for lisinopril and amlodipine
Some medications may not be recommended for you if you have certain factors affecting your health. These are referred to as a drug’s warnings.
Some people should not take lisinopril oral tablet or amlodipine oral tablet, and others should use either medication with caution.
Warnings for lisinopril oral tablet and amlodipine oral tablet are summarized below. Before taking either medication, talk with your doctor about your health conditions, past surgeries, and any medications you take. Your doctor can recommend whether either drug is safe for you.
Boxed warning for lisinopril: Risk of fetal harm
Lisinopril oral tablet has a boxed warning about the risk of fetal harm. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Lisinopril may cause problems with fetal development (commonly known as birth defects) or pregnancy loss if the drug is taken during pregnancy. Because of this risk, you should not take lisinopril while pregnant.
If you become pregnant while taking lisinopril, immediately stop taking the medication and contact your doctor. If you are considering becoming pregnant, let your doctor know. They can review other treatments for high blood pressure that are safer to use during pregnancy.
To learn more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Other warnings
In addition to the boxed warnings above, lisinopril oral tablet and amlodipine oral tablet have other warnings. These are summarized in the table below:
| lisinopril oral tablet | amlodipine oral tablet | |
|---|---|---|
| liver conditions, such as alcohol-related liver disease | ✓ | |
| kidney conditions, such as chronic kidney disease | ✓ | |
| low blood pressure | ✓ | ✓ |
| heart disease | ✓ | |
| allergic reaction to either drug or any of their ingredients | ✓ | ✓ |
| currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant | ✓ | ✓ |
| currently breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed | ✓ | ✓ |
Summary
Lisinopril and amlodipine are similar medications used to manage high blood pressure. However, they have different classes, uses, and side effects. They may be prescribed separately or together.
Your doctor will prescribe a medication that they think is right for you based on your condition and health history.
Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.
Disclaimer: While Optum Perks strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses.