Two medicines, side by side
Lisinopril vs clonidine
Lisinopril and clonidine are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of lisinopril since 1987 and of clonidine since 1974. Pharmacies paid $0.0254 per lisinopril 20 mg tablet and $0.0241 per clonidine HCl 0.1 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). Clonidine's other strengths are brand-only: $1.53 per mL (Javadin 0.02 mg/mL solution). In FDA's classes, lisinopril is an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and clonidine a central alpha-2 adrenergic agonist.
Check it at the source: the lisinopril FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 2, 2025); the clonidine FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 30, 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 clonidine record
Clonidine (Catapres) · label of March 30, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsClonidine hydrochloride tablets are indicated in the treatment of hypertension. Clonidine hydrochloride tablets may be employed alone or concomitantly with other antihypertensive agents.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 3, 1974
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0241 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 16
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Lisinopril label of January 2, 2025, Clonidine label of March 30, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do lisinopril and clonidine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, lisinopril is an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and clonidine a central alpha-2 adrenergic agonist.
Half-life, in each label's words: Lisinopril, “Upon multiple dosing, lisinopril exhibits an effective half-life of 12 hours.”; Clonidine, “Following intravenous administration, clonidine displays biphasic disposition with a distribution half-life of about 20 …”
Only the lisinopril label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: lisinopril since 2002; clonidine since 1986 (Drugs@FDA).
| Lisinopril | Clonidine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease, Heart failure | High blood pressure, ADHD, Pain |
| Pharmacologic class | Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor | Central alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist |
| 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. | Following intravenous administration, clonidine displays biphasic disposition with a distribution half-life of about 20 minutes and an elimination half-life ranging from 12 to 16 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 29, 1987 | September 3, 1974 |
| First generic approved | July 1, 2002 | July 1, 1986 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 36 labelers | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0254 per tablet (Lisinopril 20 mg tablet) | $0.0241 per tablet (Clonidine HCl 0.1 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | -3% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 28 | 16 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 304,309 | 57,116 |
| 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