Key takeaways
Zestoretic (lisinopril/hydrochlorothiazide) and Benicar HCT (olmesartan/hydrochlorothiazide) are both combination medications used to treat high blood pressure, but they belong to different drug classes. Zestoretic combines lisinopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, with hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic. Benicar HCT combines olmesartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), with the same diuretic. Both medications are taken orally once daily and are available as lower-cost generics. Benicar HCT can also help lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure. Zestoretic is more likely to cause a dry cough due to the ACE inhibitor component, whereas Benicar HCT may cause severe diarrhea as a rare side effect of olmesartan. Additionally, both medications should be avoided during pregnancy due to potential harm to the unborn baby. While both medications can cause dizziness and increased urination, Benicar HCT may also make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
