Two medicines, side by side
Olmesartan vs lisinopril
Olmesartan and lisinopril are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of olmesartan since 2002 and of lisinopril since 1987. Pharmacies paid $0.0805 per olmesartan medoxomil 20 mg tablet and $0.0254 per lisinopril 20 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026). Lisinopril's other strengths are brand-only: $4.50 per mL (Qbrelis 1 mg/mL solution). In FDA's classes, olmesartan is an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker and lisinopril an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the olmesartan FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 23, 2025); the lisinopril FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 2, 2025).
Highlights of the olmesartan record
Olmesartan (Benicar) · label of September 23, 2025
FETAL TOXICITY When pregnancy is detected, discontinue Benicar as soon as possible ( 5.1 , 8.1 ). Drugs that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury and death to the developing fetus ( 5.1 , 8.1 ). WARNING: FETAL TOXICITY See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. When pregnancy is detected, discontinue Benicar as soon as possible ( 5.1 , 8.1 ).
Used for
From the label: indicationsBenicar is indicated for the treatment of hypertension in adults and children six years of age and older, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 25, 2002
- Generic labelers
- 30 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0805 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 2
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 (Olmesartan label of September 23, 2025, Lisinopril label of January 2, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do olmesartan and lisinopril differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, olmesartan is an angiotensin 2 receptor blocker and lisinopril an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor.
How each works, in its label's words: Olmesartan, “Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II).”; Lisinopril, “Lisinopril inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in human subjects and animals.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Olmesartan, “Olmesartan appears to be eliminated in a biphasic manner with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 13 …”; Lisinopril, “Upon multiple dosing, lisinopril exhibits an effective half-life of 12 hours.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: olmesartan since 2016; lisinopril since 2002 (Drugs@FDA).
| Olmesartan | Lisinopril | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure | High blood pressure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease, Heart failure |
| Pharmacologic class | Angiotensin 2 Receptor Blocker | Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | Angiotensin II is formed from angiotensin I in a reaction catalyzed by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE, kininase II). | 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) | Olmesartan appears to be eliminated in a biphasic manner with a terminal elimination half-life of approximately 13 hours. | Upon multiple dosing, lisinopril exhibits an effective half-life of 12 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 25, 2002 | December 29, 1987 |
| First generic approved | October 26, 2016 | July 1, 2002 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 30 labelers | 36 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0805 per tablet (Olmesartan medoxomil 20 mg tablet) | $0.0254 per tablet (Lisinopril 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +1% | -3% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 2 | 28 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 35,743 | 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 olmesartan
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions