Two medicines, side by side
Lisinopril vs chlorthalidone
Lisinopril and chlorthalidone are both labeled for high blood pressure and heart failure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of lisinopril since 1987 and of chlorthalidone since 1960. Pharmacies paid $0.0254 per lisinopril 20 mg tablet and $0.0743 per chlorthalidone 25 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). Chlorthalidone's other strengths are brand-only: $0.957 per Hemiclor 12.5 mg tablet. In FDA's classes, lisinopril is an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and chlorthalidone a thiazide-like diuretic.
Check it at the source: the lisinopril FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 2, 2025); the chlorthalidone FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 5, 2026).
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
Highlights of the chlorthalidone record
Chlorthalidone (Hygroton) · label of August 5, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsDiuretics such as chlorthalidone are indicated in the management of hypertension either as the sole therapeutic agent or to enhance the effect of other antihypertensive drugs in the more severe forms of hypertension. Chlorthalidone is indicated as adjunctive therapy in edema associated with congestive heart failure, hepatic cirrhosis, and corticosteroid and estrogen therapy. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 7, 1960
- Generic labelers
- 36 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0743 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Lisinopril label of January 2, 2025, Chlorthalidone label of August 5, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do lisinopril and chlorthalidone differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, lisinopril is an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and chlorthalidone a thiazide-like diuretic.
Half-life, in each label's words: Lisinopril, “Upon multiple dosing, lisinopril exhibits an effective half-life of 12 hours.”; Chlorthalidone, “The mean half-life following a 50 to 200 mg dose is 40 hours.”
Only the lisinopril label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: lisinopril since 2002; chlorthalidone since 1981 (Drugs@FDA).
| Lisinopril | Chlorthalidone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease, Heart failure | High blood pressure, Heart failure, Edema (fluid retention) |
| Pharmacologic class | Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor | Thiazide-like Diuretic |
| How it works (label) | 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. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | Upon multiple dosing, lisinopril exhibits an effective half-life of 12 hours. | The mean half-life following a 50 to 200 mg dose is 40 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 29, 1987 | April 7, 1960 |
| First generic approved | July 1, 2002 | February 26, 1981 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 36 labelers | 36 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0254 per tablet (Lisinopril 20 mg tablet) | $0.0743 per tablet (Chlorthalidone 25 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 28 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 304,309 | 11,545 |
| 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 lisinopril
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions