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.
