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Compare Exforge vs. Zestril

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

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 taken as a tablet once daily and is available as a generic, while lisinopril is available as both a tablet and an oral solution, also taken once daily. Lisinopril is also approved to treat heart failure and to lower the risk of death after a heart attack. Common side effects of Exforge include swelling in the legs or arms and dizziness, whereas lisinopril may cause a dry cough, dizziness, and headache. Both medications can interact with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other medications that affect potassium levels, but lisinopril is more likely to cause a dry cough and angioedema. Neither medication should be used during pregnancy due to potential harm to the unborn baby.

  • Exforge (amlodipine / valsartan)
    Lisinopril (Zestril)
  • Exforge (amlodipine / valsartan)
    Lisinopril (Zestril)

  • Summary of Exforge vs. Zestril

    Summary for CCB / ARB
    Prescription only

    Exforge is a combination blood pressure medication for adults. It contains amlodipine (a calcium channel blocker, or CCB) and valsartan (an angiotensin receptor blocker, or ARB). It comes as a tablet that's taken by mouth, typically once per day. Some side effects of Exforge (amlodipine / valsartan) include swelling throughout the body and dizziness. This medication is available as generics.

    Summary for ACE inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Lisinopril (Zestril) is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor that's a first-choice medication used for lowering blood pressure. It's also approved to treat symptoms of heart failure and also to lower the risk of death after a heart attack. Lisinopril (Zestril) is a tablet that's taken by mouth, typically once daily. It's also available as an oral solution. Some common side effects of this medication include cough, dizziness, and headache.

  • Indications of Exforge vs. Zestril

    Indications for
    •High blood pressure in adults
    Indications for
    •High blood pressure
    •Heart failure
    •Lower the risk for death after a heart attack

  • Pros and Cons of Exforge vs. Zestril

    Pros and Const for CCB / ARB
    Pros
    •Convenient to take a combination of two medications in one pill
    •Only taken once a day
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Not safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding
    •Might not be a good choice for people with liver problems
    •Can cause swelling in the arms and legs
    Pros and Const for ACE inhibitor
    Pros
    •A first-choice blood pressure medication
    •Taken by mouth once per day
    •Can be taken by children as young as 6 years old for treatment of high blood pressure
    •Available as a liquid (Qbrelis), good option for people who've difficulty swallowing tablets
    Cons
    •More likely to cause a dry cough, compared to ARBs
    •Can't be taken during pregnancy or breastfeeding
    •Might not work as well for lowering high blood pressure in black people

  • Common Side Effects of Exforge vs. Zestril

    Common Side Effects for
    •Swelling in legs or arms (5%)
    •Sore throat, runny nose, and other cold-like symptoms (3-4%)
    •Dizziness (2%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Dizziness (up to 19%)
    •Low blood pressure (7-11%)
    •Higher creatinine levels (7-10%)
    •Headache (6%)

  • Warnings of Exforge vs. Zestril

    Common Side Effects for
    •Harm to unborn baby
    •Low blood pressure
    •Risk of heart attack or chest pain
    •Possible kidney damage in certain people
    •High potassium levels
    Common Side Effects for
    •Not for use during pregnancy
    •Angioedema (swelling)
    •Low blood pressure
    •Worsening kidney problems
    •Heart problems due to high potassium
    •Liver problems

  • Prices with our coupons for Exforge vs. Zestril

    Learn more about Exforge
    Learn more about Lisinopril

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