If your doctor has prescribed lisinopril or Zestril to treat your high blood pressure, you can use online tools like BidRx to help you find the best price. Learn more about the indications, side effects, and warnings associated with these medications and how to use BidRx to lower the cost of your prescriptions.
Prices for Lisinopril and Zestril at Major Retailers
| Lisinopril 10mg | Lisinopril 20mg | Zestril 10mg | Zestril 20mg | |
| CVS/Target | $11.40 | $12.31 | $42.17 | $433.67 |
| Rite-Aid | $7.25 | $8.84 | $39.06 | $390.11 |
| Walgreens | $11.43 | $14.68 | $45.76 | $440.14 |
| Walmart | $4.00 | $4.00 | $52.96 | $423.60 |
| Costco | $6.44 | $6.74 | $46.78 | $402.26 |
| Publix | $4.44 | $4.74 | $41.65 | $404.24 |
| Stop & Shop | $6.64 | $6.94 | $43.85 | $405.57 |
| Kroger | $4.44 | $4.74 | $41.13 | $406.24 |
| Winn-Dixie | $4.00 | $4.00 | $407.04 | $407.04 |
| Average | $6.67 | $7.44 | $84.49 | $412.54 |
About Lisinopril/Zestril
Lisinopril is the generic name of an oral angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. Lisinopril is also sold under the brands names Zestril and Prinivil.
ACE inhibitors work by reducing enzymes that cause blood vessels to narrow or constrict. Lisinopril relaxes the blood vessels, allowing the heart to pump more efficiently and blood to flow more smoothly throughout the body.
What Is Lisinopril Used For?
Lisinopril is prescribed to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), and is one of the medications used to treat heart failure. This medication is also indicated for use in people with renal disease, as it lowers blood pressure in the kidneys and slows the progression of kidney diseases related to diabetes or hypertension.
Some people are also prescribed an ACE inhibitor like lisinopril after suffering a heart attack to improve their chances of survival.
Who Shouldn’t Take Lisinopril?
This drug isn’t safe for everyone. People with angioedema, hyperkalemia (high potassium), bilateral renal artery stenosis, and kidney failure despite prior lisinopril use should not take this medication.
Other contraindications include:
- Low blood pressure
- Abnormal liver function lab tests
- Aortic valve narrowing
- Decreased blood volume
- Low sodium levels
- An allergic reaction to lisinopril or other ACE inhibitors
Check with your doctor if you have one of these conditions or have concerns about taking this medication.
Warnings
Before using this medication, tell your provider about any other drugs or supplements you’re taking, your medical history, and if you have an allergy to ACE inhibitors. Drinking alcohol or using marijuana/cannabis can increase some of the side effects, so limiting your use of these substances is recommended.
Since these medications can cause dizziness, you shouldn’t drive or operate heavy machinery until you understand its effects and feel safe to resume your activities.
People who are pregnant should not take this drug, as this medication can cause harm or death to your unborn child. If you become pregnant, you will need to discontinue using the medication. It is unknown whether lisinopril can pass into breast milk, so consult with your doctor if you’re breastfeeding.
Side Effects of Lisinopril/Zestril
While some people experience few to no side effects from this drug, others may have headaches, feel dizzy or lightheaded, or feel more tired while adjusting to the medication.
Other possible side effects include:
- Dry cough
- Sore throat
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Nausea/vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
More dangerous side effects, like liver damage, can also occur. Seek medical attention if you have yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark-colored urine, and upper abdominal pain.
You also need to watch for signs of an allergic reaction, like a rash on your skin, any swelling or itching in your mouth or throat, and breathing troubles.
Call your provider immediately if you have symptoms of high potassium levels, such as a slow or irregular heartbeat or muscle weakness.
Drug Interactions
Lisinopril can interact with other medications you’re taking, increasing your risk of adverse effects. Drug interactions can also change the effectiveness of this medication.
Common interactions include:
- Diuretics. Potassium-sparing diuretics and thiazide-type diuretics like spironolactone, amiloride, or triamterene can result in low blood pressure when first starting lisinopril or Zestril. These drugs may also increase the risk of hyperkalemia. Anyone taking these medications will need close monitoring of their potassium levels.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories. Using over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription NSAIDs with this drug can worsen kidney function and lead to an acute renal injury. This interaction mainly affects the elderly, those taking diuretics, and people with impaired kidney function.
- Lithium. People taking lithium with an ACE inhibitor like lisinopril can experience lithium toxicity. This condition is reversible, but if you’re taking both medications, you will need routine monitoring of your lithium level.
- Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers. Taking this medication with RAS blockers, aliskiren, or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) increases the risk of developing high blood pressure, elevated potassium, and changes in kidney function. If you’re taking one of these medications, you’ll need close monitoring of your blood pressure, kidney function, and electrolyte levels.
- Antidiabetics. Using insulin or oral hypoglycemic medicines with lisinopril can increase the effects of the antidiabetic medication, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia.
- mTOR Inhibitors. Taking everolimus, sirolimus, temsirolimus, or other mTOR inhibitors increases your risk of angioedema.
To avoid adverse drug interactions, keep a list of all the prescription drugs, OTC medications, and any herbs or supplements you use. Share this information with your doctor, and don’t stop or start any of your treatments or change your dosage without consulting with them first.
Special Considerations
Your doctor may start you on a low dose of this medication to reduce the risk of side effects. Dosing for this medication starts as low as 2.5 milligrams and reaches as high as 40 milligrams. After taking this medication for several weeks, you will need to have blood tests to monitor your potassium, nitrogen, and creatinine levels.
Your healthcare provider will monitor your blood pressure while you’re taking lisinopril or Zestril. You may need additional routine lab monitoring if you take other medications that affect blood pressure or can cause hyperkalemia.
Buying Your Blood Pressure Medication Through BidRx
If your healthcare provider prescribes Zestril or its generic equivalent lisinopril to treat your high blood pressure, you can use BidRx to find the lowest drug price.
BidRx is easy to use, and sign-up is fast. You can then create a bid to have pharmacies from across the U.S. bid on your prescription.
You can then compare prices and choose your offer. You can use a local drug store or have your prescriptions delivered by a mail-order or online pharmacy. To get started, simply choose your blood pressure medication and create your bid.
