Two medicines, side by side
Nifedipine vs lisinopril
Nifedipine and lisinopril are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of nifedipine since 1981 and of lisinopril since 1987. Pharmacies paid $0.130 per nifedipine ER 30 mg tablet and $0.0254 per lisinopril 20 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, nifedipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker and lisinopril an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the nifedipine FDA label on DailyMed (effective December 24, 2024); the lisinopril FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 2, 2025).
Highlights of the nifedipine record
Nifedipine (Procardia) · label of December 24, 2024
Used for
From the label: indicationsNifedipine extended-release tablets are indicated for the treatment of hypertension. It may be used alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 31, 1981
- Generic labelers
- 32 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.130 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 7
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
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Nifedipine label of December 24, 2024, Lisinopril label of January 2, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do nifedipine and lisinopril differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, nifedipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker and lisinopril an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor.
Half-life, in each label's words: Nifedipine, “The elimination half-life of nifedipine administered as nifedipine extended-release tablets are approximately 7 hours …”; Lisinopril, “Upon multiple dosing, lisinopril exhibits an effective half-life of 12 hours.”
Only the lisinopril label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: nifedipine since 1989; lisinopril since 2002 (Drugs@FDA).
| Nifedipine | Lisinopril | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Angina | High blood pressure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease, Heart failure |
| Pharmacologic class | Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Blocker | Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | n/a | 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. |
| Half-life (label) | The elimination half-life of nifedipine administered as nifedipine extended-release tablets are approximately 7 hours in contrast to the known 2 hour elimination half-life of nifedipine administered as an immediate … | Upon multiple dosing, lisinopril exhibits an effective half-life of 12 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 31, 1981 | December 29, 1987 |
| First generic approved | April 28, 1989 | July 1, 2002 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 32 labelers | 36 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.130 per tablet (Nifedipine ER 30 mg tablet) | $0.0254 per tablet (Lisinopril 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +19% | -3% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 7 | 28 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 41,059 | 304,309 |
| 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 nifedipine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions