Two medicines, side by side
Lisinopril vs valsartan
Lisinopril and valsartan are both labeled for high blood pressure and heart failure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of lisinopril since 1987 and of valsartan since 1996. Pharmacies paid $0.0254 per lisinopril 20 mg tablet and $0.0963 per valsartan 40 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 valsartan an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker.
Check it at the source: the lisinopril FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 2, 2025); the valsartan 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 valsartan record
Valsartan (Diovan) · label of August 5, 2026
FETAL TOXICITY
When pregnancy is detected, discontinue valsartan tablets as soon as possible. ( 5.1 )
Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus. ( 5.1 ) WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue valsartan tablets as soon as possible. ( 5.1 ).
Used for
From the label: indicationsValsartan tablets are an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) indicated for: • Hypertension, to lower blood pressure in adults and children 6 years and older. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 23, 1996
- Generic labelers
- 34 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0963 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 58
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Lisinopril label of January 2, 2025, Valsartan label of August 5, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do lisinopril and valsartan differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, lisinopril is an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and valsartan an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker.
How each works, in its label's words: Lisinopril, “Lisinopril inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in human subjects and animals.”; Valsartan, “Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II).”
Half-life, in each label's words: Lisinopril, “Upon multiple dosing, lisinopril exhibits an effective half-life of 12 hours.”; Valsartan, “Valsartan shows bi-exponential decay kinetics following intravenous administration, with an average elimination …”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: lisinopril since 2002; valsartan since 2014 (Drugs@FDA).
| Lisinopril | Valsartan | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease, Heart failure | High blood pressure, Heart failure |
| Pharmacologic class | Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor | Angiotensin 2 Receptor 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. | Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II). |
| Half-life (label) | Upon multiple dosing, lisinopril exhibits an effective half-life of 12 hours. | Valsartan shows bi-exponential decay kinetics following intravenous administration, with an average elimination half-life of about 6 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 29, 1987 | December 23, 1996 |
| First generic approved | July 1, 2002 | June 26, 2014 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 36 labelers | 34 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0254 per tablet (Lisinopril 20 mg tablet) | $0.0963 per tablet (Valsartan 40 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | -21% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 28 | 58 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 304,309 | 104,490 |
| 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