15 Best Lisinopril Alternatives: Affordable & Effective
speciality medications
Has your doctor recommended that you start taking Lisinopril for high blood pressure?
If so, don’t panic. You’re not alone.
Lisinopril is one of the most prescribed medications in the entire world. It’s effective, it’s safe, and it’s popular.
But, here’s the thing: It doesn’t work for everyone.
What happens if it’s not working for you?
Maybe you're experiencing unwanted side effects like a nagging cough, or you’re simply curious if there’s a more affordable option out there. The good news is:
There are plenty of alternatives to Lisinopril, and this guide will help you understand them.
Let’s get started with our baseline medication. How much do you (really) know about Lisinopril?
What Is Lisinopril?
Lisinopril is a type of medication known as an ACE inhibitor, or an “angiotensin-converting enzyme” inhibitor.
People take ACE inhibitors to treat symptoms related to a wide range of conditions. These conditions can include:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Heart failure
- Post-heart attack support
- Kidney protection in diabetes
Lisinopril does this by relaxing your blood vessels and subsequently reducing strain on the heart.
This helps result in lower blood pressure, and improved blood flow. Lisinopril has been around for decades, and it’s available in several brand-name forms.
If you’re not taking generic Lisinopril, take a look at your prescription.
If you’ve been prescribed Prinivil or Zestril, you’re taking generic Lisinopril.
Why Would You Want a Lisinopril Alternative in the First Place?
Although it’s effective and generally well-tolerated, Lisinopril doesn’t work for everyone.
Some people start taking it and feel better in a timely manner.
Others don’t (or start experiencing uncommon but not wholly unexpected side effects).
Common reasons patients look for an alternative include:
Lisinopril’s potential side effects. Lisinopril does come with a few side effects that should go away as your body gets used to the drug, but some people may not be able to tolerate them even for a short time.
These side effects include a persistent dry cough, dizziness, fatigue, and high potassium levels.
Possible cost concerns. While opting for generic Lisinopril over more costly brand-name drugs can help, some people are still looking for even more affordable options – especially without insurance.
Lisinopril’s interactions or contraindications. People with certain health conditions or those taking other medications may need an alternative to Lisinopril that works a bit more nicely in their unique context.
Personal preference or doctor recommendation. Some providers might suggest switching away from Lisinopril purely based on how your body responds or how your condition is progressing.
No matter your reason for considering another drug, here’s the important part:
You're not stuck.
There is a long list of very effective Lisinopril alternatives, including other ACE inhibitors, ARBs (angiotensin receptor blockers), calcium channel blockers, and even natural options, that you can consider.
Best Lisinopril Alternatives Within the ACE Inhibitor Family
Lisinopril, as discussed above, is an ACE inhibitor.
It’s not the only one.
If the general mechanism of an ACE inhibitor seems to be working well for you, which is something your doctor can help verify, but you’re not having a great time with smaller-but-still-important aspects of taking the drug (like side effects, pill size, or dosage flexibility), it may be worth looking at ACE inhibitors.
These drugs all work similarly by helping relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure, but they differ slightly in how they’re processed in the body.
Any of these other ACE inhibitors may serve as a Lisinopril alternative – just be sure to talk these options over with your doctor, as they do require prescriptions.
Benazepril
Benazepril, which you might find under the brand name Lotensin, is likely the first option your doctor will recommend if you’re looking for a Lisinopril alternative.
It’s often used for the same conditions, hypertension and heart failure, and may be better tolerated by people who experience a frustrating, lingering cough with Lisinopril. Some patients report fewer side effects, though it still carries the standard ACE inhibitor profile.
You can buy Benazepril here through NorthWestPharmacy.com for about $1.80 per tablet for the brand and far less for the generic.
Enalapril
Enalapril, which also goes by the brand name Vasotec, has a shorter half-life than Lisinopril.
This means that it degrades a bit faster.
In practice, this might result in a more intense dosing schedule, which could be a good thing or a frustrating thing, depending on what works for you.
Enalapril may also be more effective than Lisinopril in certain heart failure protocols, and it’s often used in hospital settings for blood pressure emergencies.
You can buy Enalapril here through NorthWestPharmacy.com for about $1.75 per pill for the brand and much less for the generic.
Ramipril
Ramipril, also known as Altace, is known for its dual role in blood pressure control and heart attack prevention.
You only need to take it once per day, which can be very convenient for many people’s schedules, and some people do tend to tolerate it better than Lisinopril.
You can buy Ramipril here through NorthWestPharmacy.com for around $0.30 per pill.
Quinapril
Quinapril, brand name Accupril, is another ACE inhibitor that’s been used for a very long time.
It’s typically used for hypertension and heart failure and may be better tolerated in patients with sensitive GI systems.
You can buy Quinapril here through NorthWestPharmacy.com for just over $1.00 per tablet for the brand product and less for the generic.
Captopril
Captopril, or Capoten, was one of the first ACE inhibitors developed. It’s still used today, but, because you do need to take it more frequently than other medications, it tends to be used for short-term treatment or in hospital settings.
It’s not as popular for long-term home use, but it's worth noting if you're exploring every option.
You can buy Captopril here through NorthWestPharmacy.com for about $1.00 per pill for the brand and way less for the generic.
Other ACE Inhibitors to Consider…
They’re less commonly prescribed than the Lisinopril alternatives we’ve mentioned above, but if you’re interested in knowing what’s on the table, you may want to ask your doctor about:
If you’ve tried one ACE inhibitor and had problems, it’s worth noting that you might not experience the same issues with another.
That’s because even within the same drug class, small chemical differences can affect side effects like cough, dizziness, or kidney sensitivity.
Why Switch Within the Same Drug Class? (And When?)
You might feel like it’s worth switching to another ACE inhibitor if you’ve had a less-than-great experience with Lisinopril but still feel like it’s working enough to avoid steering clear of ACE inhibitors entirely.
Clearly, that can be a difficult type of thing to identify.
Common indications for this situation could look like…
- You’re having mild side effects from Lisinopril
- You need a formulation with different dosing (e.g., lower strength tablets)
- Your provider wants to see if another ACE is more effective for your heart condition
If you’ve already tried a few ACE inhibitors without success, though, that may mean it’s time to look at other drug classes.
Non-ACE Alternatives to Lisinopril
If a set of side effects or inconvenient dosing schedules has caused you to think that a non-ACE Lisinopril alternative may be a good option, consider these medications with your doctor’s assistance:
Losartan
Losartan is a very popular non-ACE alternative for Lisinopril. Like Lisinopril, it helps to relax a person’s blood vessels and lower their blood pressure, but it does so via a completely different biological mechanism.
Perhaps because of that, Losartan (and other ARBs, or Angiotensin Receptor Blockers) don’t tend to cause the dry cough that often comes with ACE inhibitors.
You can buy Losartan here through NorthWestPharmacy.com for about $1.50 per pill.
Amlodipine
Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that works by relaxing the smooth muscles of blood vessels. This can help reduce vascular resistance and lower blood pressure. Amlodipine also comes under the brand name Norvasc.
Often, doctors will prescribe amlodipine to patients who are older, or to those who have isolated systolic hypertension.
Amlopidine probably won’t cause the dry cough that may come with Lisinopril, but it does cause fluid retention and even ankle swelling in some people.
You can buy Amlodipine here through NorthWestPharmacy.com for about $5.70 per pill for the brand or far less for the generic.
Valsartan
Valsartan – brand name Diovan – is another angiotensin receptor blocker, one often used interchangeably with Losartan (e.g., depending on a patient’s tolerance or insurance coverage).
It may have a slightly different side effect profile but offers similar benefits for blood pressure and heart failure management.
You can buy Valsartan here through NorthWestPharmacy.com for about $1.80 per brand tablet or much less for the generic.
Other ARBs to Consider
If, after taking Losartan or Valsartan, you and your doctor do think that ARBs are a better fit for you but you aren’t sure if you’ve found the precise medication that will work best for your unique biology, the following ARBs may also be worth talking about:
These aren’t as commonly prescribed as Losartan or Valsartan but may be useful in people with very specific medication tolerances or unique health goals.
What About Beta Blockers or Diuretics?
Beta-blockers (like metoprolol) or diuretics (like hydrochlorothiazide) may be used alone or in combination with other meds to control blood pressure.
These other types of medication classes can also help with heart health aims, just in different ways.
- Beta-blockers are often used after heart attacks or for people with irregular heart rhythms.
- Diuretics help reduce fluid buildup and are often part of multi-drug regimens.
However, these aren’t usually the first-line (or first-choice, first-prescribed) alternatives to Lisinopril, unless a doctor has a specific clinical reason to use them over an ACE inhibitor.
Are There Over-the-Counter or Natural Lisinopril Substitutes?
If you’re looking for Lisinopril alternatives outside the world of prescription medication, you’re in luck.
For those who are, perhaps, looking to manage milder forms of hypertension or those who want to reduce their reliance on prescription medications, there are OTC or natural products you can try.
However, it’s important to note that there is no true OTC equivalent to Lisinopril. It is a prescription-only medication, and all drugs in its class (ACE inhibitors) do require a doctor’s supervision.
That said, here are some options to consider:
Potassium-rich foods. Potassium helps counteract the effects of sodium and supports heart health.
If you’re interested in upping the amount of potassium in your diet, next time you’re at the store, pick up some bananas, avocados, sweet potatoes, and spinach.
Magnesium supplements. Taking magnesium, as long as your doctor doesn’t think it’ll interfere with your other medications or health goals, may help relax blood vessels and support better sleep and stress management.
CoQ10. CoQ10 is an antioxidant supplement that may support heart function, especially in people with heart failure. Taking it may support overall heart health, but, again, ask your doctor.
Omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are found in fish oil or flaxseed supplements, and, when taken as part of a balanced diet, can be beneficial for heart health and reducing inflammation.
Here’s How to Choose the Right Lisinopril Alternative
If you’re looking for the best possible Lisinopril alternative for your body and your condition, the best way forward is to talk with your doctor.
Bring up your goals early, and state your concerns clearly – whether they’re about cost, side effects, or effectiveness.
Your doctor can help you assess other ACE inhibitors, ARBs, or different classes altogether.
Then, once you’ve started taking a Lisinopril alternative (or even while you’re still taking Lisinopril), track your symptoms.
Keep a log of:
- Your blood pressure readings (daily or weekly)
- Any side effects you're experiencing
- Other health conditions that may be relevant (e.g., diabetes, kidney disease)
This type of data can feel insignificant while you’re writing it down, but having information like “no, I really started feeling more tired the week after I started taking Lisinopril or an alternative” can truly help you and your doctor form a treatment plan that serves you.
Then, consider your actual lifestyle priorities and preferences.
Some medications are better for people who want once-daily dosing, fewer side effects, or who struggle with fluid retention.
Others may be chosen based on insurance coverage or medication availability through international drugstores and affordable online Canadian pharmacies like NorthWestPharmacy.com.
Regardless of the medication you decide to go with, we’re here to help. Here, through our online and international and Canadian internet pharmacy site, you can take advantage of reliably low prices for brand and generic Lisinopril, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and even OTC meds.
Our entire team is here to help you find the best medication for you and your health.
