Key takeaways
Lisinopril (Zestril) and Irbesartan (Avapro) are both medications used to treat high blood pressure, but they belong to different drug classes. Lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, while irbesartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). Both medications help relax blood vessels, but they do so in different ways. Lisinopril is also used to treat heart failure and reduce the risk of death after a heart attack, whereas irbesartan is specifically used to slow the worsening of kidney disease in people with diabetes. Lisinopril is more likely to cause a dry cough, a common side effect of ACE inhibitors, while irbesartan is less likely to cause this issue. Both medications are available in generic forms, making them more affordable. However, neither should be used during pregnancy due to potential harm to the unborn baby.
