Key takeaways
Exforge (amlodipine / valsartan) and lisinopril (Zestril, Qbrelis) are both medications used to treat high blood pressure. However, they belong to different medication classes. Exforge is a combination of a calcium channel blocker (CCB) and an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), while lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. Exforge is only approved for high blood pressure, whereas lisinopril is also approved for heart failure and to lower the risk of death after a heart attack. Exforge is taken as a tablet once daily, and it is available as a generic. Lisinopril is available as both oral tablets and an oral solution, and is also available as a generic (tablets only). Common side effects of Exforge include swelling and dizziness, while lisinopril can cause a dry cough, dizziness, and headache. Both medications can interact with other drugs, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), but lisinopril is more likely to cause a dry cough and angioedema. Neither medication should be used during pregnancy.
