Key takeaways
Lisinopril (Zestril) and olmesartan (Benicar) are both medications used to lower blood pressure, but they belong to different drug classes. Lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, while olmesartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB). Both medications are taken orally once a day and are available in generic forms, making them more affordable. Lisinopril is also approved to treat heart failure and reduce the risk of death after a heart attack, whereas olmesartan is primarily used for high blood pressure. One key difference is that Lisinopril is more likely to cause a dry cough, a common side effect of ACE inhibitors. Olmesartan is less likely to cause a dry cough but can lead to severe diarrhea in rare cases. Both medications can cause dizziness and should not be used during pregnancy. Additionally, Lisinopril is available as a liquid form (Qbrelis), which can be helpful for those who have trouble swallowing pills.
