Two medicines, side by side
Lisinopril vs labetalol
Lisinopril and labetalol are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of lisinopril since 1987 and of labetalol since 1984. Pharmacies paid $0.0254 per lisinopril 20 mg tablet and $0.215 per labetalol HCl 300 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, lisinopril is an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and labetalol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
Check it at the source: the lisinopril FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 2, 2025); the labetalol FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 2, 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 labetalol record
Labetalol (Trandate) · label of March 2, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsLabetalol hydrochloride tablets, USP are indicated in the management of hypertension. Labetalol hydrochloride tablets USP may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents, especially thiazide and loop diuretics.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 1, 1984
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.215 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 6
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Lisinopril label of January 2, 2025, Labetalol label of March 2, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do lisinopril and labetalol differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, lisinopril is an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and labetalol a beta-adrenergic blocker.
Half-life, in each label's words: Lisinopril, “Upon multiple dosing, lisinopril exhibits an effective half-life of 12 hours.”; Labetalol, “The plasma half-life of labetalol following oral administration is about 6 to 8 hours.”
Only the lisinopril label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: lisinopril since 2002; labetalol since 1998 (Drugs@FDA).
| Lisinopril | Labetalol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease, Heart failure | High blood pressure |
| Pharmacologic class | Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor | beta-Adrenergic Blocker |
| 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 plasma half-life of labetalol following oral administration is about 6 to 8 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 29, 1987 | August 1, 1984 |
| First generic approved | July 1, 2002 | August 3, 1998 |
| 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) | $0.215 per tablet (Labetalol HCl 300 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | +3% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 28 | 6 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 304,309 | 13,250 |
| 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