Key takeaways
Lisinopril (Zestril) and clonidine (Catapres, Nexiclon XR) are both prescription medications used to treat high blood pressure, but they belong to different drug classes and work in different ways. Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that relaxes blood vessels by blocking a protein called ACE, while clonidine is an alpha agonist that lowers stress hormones in the brain to slow down your heart rate and relax blood vessels. Lisinopril is often a first-choice medication for high blood pressure and is available in both tablet and liquid forms. Clonidine, on the other hand, is usually not a first-choice option due to the risk of "rebound hypertension" if stopped suddenly and is available in tablet and patch forms. Lisinopril can also treat heart failure and reduce the risk of death after a heart attack. Common side effects of lisinopril include dizziness and headache, while clonidine can cause dry mouth and drowsiness. Clonidine is not recommended for older adults because it can increase the risk of falls. Additionally, lisinopril is available as a lower-cost generic, whereas Nexiclon XR, a form of clonidine, is only available as a brand-name product.
