Two medicines, side by side
Candesartan vs lisinopril
Candesartan and lisinopril are both labeled for high blood pressure and heart failure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of candesartan since 1998 and of lisinopril since 1987. Pharmacies paid $0.478 per candesartan cilexetil 16 mg tablet and $0.0254 per lisinopril 20 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Lisinopril's other strengths are brand-only: $4.50 per mL (Qbrelis 1 mg/mL solution). In FDA's classes, candesartan is an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker and lisinopril an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the candesartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 15, 2026); the lisinopril FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 2, 2025).
Highlights of the candesartan record
Candesartan (Atacand) · label of January 15, 2026
FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue candesartan cilexetil as soon as possible [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )]. Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 ) and Use in Specific Populations ( 8.1 )]. WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning.
Used for
From the label: indicationsCandesartan cilexetil is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) indicated for: Treatment of hypertension in adults and children 1 to < 17 years of age, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions (1.1). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 4, 1998
- Generic labelers
- 8 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.478 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 9
Highlights of the lisinopril record
Lisinopril (Zestril) · label of January 2, 2025
FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue ZESTRIL as soon as possible [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )]. Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)]. WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue Zestril as soon as possible.
Used for
From the label: indicationsZestril is an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor indicated for: Treatment of hypertension in adults and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older ( 1.1 ) Adjunct therapy for heart failure ( 1.2 ) Treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction ( 1.3 ) 1.1 Hypertension Zestril is indicated for the treatment of hypertension in adult patients and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older to lower blood pressure. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 29, 1987
- Generic labelers
- 36 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0254 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 28
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Candesartan label of January 15, 2026, Lisinopril label of January 2, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do candesartan and lisinopril differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, candesartan is an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker and lisinopril an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor.
How each works, in its label's words: Candesartan, “Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II).”; Lisinopril, “Lisinopril inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in human subjects and animals.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Candesartan, “The elimination half-life of candesartan is approximately 9 hours.”; Lisinopril, “Upon multiple dosing, lisinopril exhibits an effective half-life of 12 hours.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: candesartan since 2013; lisinopril since 2002 (Drugs@FDA).
| Candesartan | Lisinopril | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Heart failure | High blood pressure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease, Heart failure |
| Pharmacologic class | Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker | Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II). | Lisinopril inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in human subjects and animals. ACE is a peptidyl dipeptidase that catalyzes the conversion of angiotensin I to the vasoconstrictor substance, angiotensin II. |
| Half-life (label) | The elimination half-life of candesartan is approximately 9 hours. | Upon multiple dosing, lisinopril exhibits an effective half-life of 12 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | June 4, 1998 | December 29, 1987 |
| First generic approved | May 3, 2013 | July 1, 2002 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 8 labelers | 36 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.478 per tablet (Candesartan cilexetil 16 mg tablet) | $0.0254 per tablet (Lisinopril 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -15% | -3% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 9 | 28 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 60,889 | 304,309 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to candesartan
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions