Amlodipine vs lisinopril: blood pressure medicines compared
Amlodipine and lisinopril are both blood pressure medicines, and they can be prescribed together. Amlodipine relaxes blood vessels directly and commonly causes ankle swelling; lisinopril works on hormones that control blood pressure, protects the kidneys in diabetes, and can cause a dry cough.
Updated October 15, 2026
At a glance
- How it works
- Amlodipine
- Relaxes the muscle in blood vessel walls
- Lisinopril
- Stops the body making angiotensin II
- Approved for
- Amlodipine
- High blood pressure; chest pain (angina); coronary artery disease
- Lisinopril
- High blood pressure; heart failure; improving survival after a heart attack
- Common side effects
- Amlodipine
- Ankle swelling, flushing, headache
- Lisinopril
- Dry cough, dizziness, high potassium
- Blood tests
- Amlodipine
- Not usually needed for the medicine itself
- Lisinopril
- Potassium and kidney function after starting
- Generic
- Amlodipine
- Yes
- Lisinopril
- Yes
Amlodipine Norvasc, a calcium channel blocker | Lisinopril Prinivil, Zestril, an ACE inhibitor | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Relaxes the muscle in blood vessel walls | Stops the body making angiotensin II |
| Approved for | High blood pressure; chest pain (angina); coronary artery disease | High blood pressure; heart failure; improving survival after a heart attack |
| Common side effects | Ankle swelling, flushing, headache | Dry cough, dizziness, high potassium |
| Blood tests | Not usually needed for the medicine itself | Potassium and kidney function after starting |
| Generic | Yes | Yes |
Which conditions tip the choice
Lisinopril is usually preferred when high blood pressure comes with diabetes and protein in the urine, chronic kidney disease, or heart failure, because it protects the kidneys and treats heart failure. Amlodipine is often chosen when chest pain from angina is also present, or when an ACE inhibitor causes a cough or is unsuitable, including in pregnancy, when lisinopril must not be used.
Taking them together
Because they lower blood pressure in different ways, the two are often combined when one is not enough, and some combination tablets pair amlodipine with an ACE inhibitor. Ankle swelling from amlodipine is usually harmless but should be reported if it comes with breathlessness, and swelling of the face, lips or throat with lisinopril needs urgent care.
Cost
Both are long-established generics, and each pharmacy sets its own cash price, so quotes can differ between pharmacies; compare a 90-day supply with a 30-day supply too.
Timing and missed doses
Both are taken once a day at about the same time, with or without food. If you miss amlodipine, take it within 12 hours or skip it; for lisinopril, take it when you remember unless the next dose is near. Standing up slowly helps with dizziness when starting either medicine, and alcohol can add to it.
Questions for your prescriber
- Given my kidney function and other conditions, which suits me better?
- Would taking both, or a combination tablet, control my blood pressure better?
- Which side effects should I report straight away?
Already have a prescription?
Upload it and licensed pharmacies respond with their own cash price. You choose, and pay the pharmacy.
Read more
Sources
Written by the Script Unlock editorial team from the sources above. It is general information, not advice for you or your pet; your prescriber decides which medicine is right.
Script Unlock is a marketplace that lets licensed pharmacies quote a cash price on your prescription. It does not prescribe, dispense or sell medication, does not process patient payments, and does not give medical advice. Always follow the instructions of your prescriber and pharmacist and read the medication guide supplied with your medicine.