Two medicines, side by side
Lisinopril vs minoxidil
Lisinopril and minoxidil are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of lisinopril since 1987 and of minoxidil since 1979. Pharmacies paid $0.0254 per lisinopril 20 mg tablet and $0.156 per minoxidil 10 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 minoxidil an arteriolar vasodilator.
Check it at the source: the lisinopril FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 2, 2025); the minoxidil FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 6, 2024).
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 minoxidil record
Minoxidil (Rogaine) · label of September 6, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsto regrow hair on the scalp
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 18, 1979
- Generic labelers
- 86 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.156 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Lisinopril label of January 2, 2025, Minoxidil label of September 6, 2024); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do lisinopril and minoxidil differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, lisinopril is an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and minoxidil an arteriolar vasodilator.
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: lisinopril since 2002; minoxidil since 1987 (Drugs@FDA).
| Lisinopril | Minoxidil | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease, Heart failure | High blood pressure |
| Pharmacologic class | Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor | Arteriolar Vasodilator |
| 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. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 29, 1987 | October 18, 1979 |
| First generic approved | July 1, 2002 | March 3, 1987 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 36 labelers | 86 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0254 per tablet (Lisinopril 20 mg tablet) | $0.156 per tablet (Minoxidil 10 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | -17% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 28 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 304,309 | 44,687 |
| 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