Key takeaways
Lisinopril (Zestril) and prazosin (Minipress) are both medications used to lower high blood pressure, but they belong to different drug classes and have distinct characteristics. Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that works by blocking a protein to relax blood vessels. It's typically taken once daily and is also used to treat heart failure and reduce the risk of death after a heart attack. Common side effects include cough, dizziness, and headache. On the other hand, prazosin is an alpha blocker that relaxes blood vessels to lower blood pressure. It's usually taken 2 to 3 times a day. It's not a first-choice medication for high blood pressure due to side effects like dizziness, headache, and drowsiness. Additionally, prazosin is sometimes used off-label for PTSD-related nightmares, although its effectiveness for this use is debated. Both medications are available in lower-cost generic forms.
