Two medicines, side by side
Verapamil vs lisinopril
Verapamil and lisinopril are both labeled for high blood pressure. Drugs@FDA records approvals of verapamil since 1981 and of lisinopril since 1987. Pharmacies paid $0.191 per verapamil ER 180 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, verapamil is a calcium channel blocker and lisinopril an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the verapamil FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 6, 2026); the lisinopril FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 2, 2025).
Highlights of the verapamil record
Verapamil (Isoptin) · label of April 6, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsVerapamil hydrochloride extended-release tablets are indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. These benefits have been seen in controlled trials of antihypertensive drugs from a wide variety of pharmacologic classes including this drug. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- August 12, 1981
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.191 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- 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 (Verapamil label of April 6, 2026, Lisinopril label of January 2, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do verapamil and lisinopril differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, verapamil is a calcium channel blocker and lisinopril an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor.
How each works, in its label's words: Verapamil, “Mechanism of action Essential hypertension: Verapamil exerts antihypertensive effects by decreasing systemic vascular resistance, usually without orthostatic decreases in blood pressure or reflex …”; Lisinopril, “Lisinopril inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in human subjects and animals.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Verapamil, “The mean elimination half-life in single-dose studies ranged from 2.8 to 7.4 hours.”; Lisinopril, “Upon multiple dosing, lisinopril exhibits an effective half-life of 12 hours.”
Only the lisinopril label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: verapamil since 1985; lisinopril since 2002 (Drugs@FDA).
| Verapamil | Lisinopril | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Atrial fibrillation, Angina | High blood pressure, Heart attack and coronary artery disease, Heart failure |
| Pharmacologic class | Calcium Channel Blocker | Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | Mechanism of action Essential hypertension: Verapamil exerts antihypertensive effects by decreasing systemic vascular resistance, usually without orthostatic decreases in blood pressure or reflex tachycardia; … | 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 mean elimination half-life in single-dose studies ranged from 2.8 to 7.4 hours. | Upon multiple dosing, lisinopril exhibits an effective half-life of 12 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | August 12, 1981 | December 29, 1987 |
| First generic approved | November 12, 1985 | July 1, 2002 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 43 labelers | 36 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.191 per tablet (Verapamil ER 180 mg tablet) | $0.0254 per tablet (Lisinopril 20 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +7% | -3% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | A presentation being discontinued | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 7 | 28 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 4,242 | 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 verapamil
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions