Drug Comparison

Ibuprofen vs. Lisinopril

Compare Ibuprofen and Lisinopril: mechanism of action, indications, side effects, cost, and which may be right for you.

Drug A

Ibuprofen

good neighbor pharmacy ibuprofen

NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)

Drug B

Quick Comparison

Category	Ibuprofen	Lisinopril
Drug Class	NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)	ACE Inhibitors
Rx Status	Rx	Rx
Generic Available	No	Yes
Typical Cost	$4-$15/month	$4–$15/month

Ibuprofen Overview

IBUPROFEN (brand name: good neighbor pharmacy ibuprofen) is a NSAIDs. Uses • temporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to: • headache • muscular aches • minor pain of arthritis • toothache • backache • the common cold • menstrual cramps • temporarily reduces fever

Full Ibuprofen guide →

Lisinopril Overview

Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) is one of the most widely prescribed medications in the United States and the most commonly used ACE inhibitor. It lowers blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels, reduces hospitalizations and death in heart failure, and improves survival after a heart attack. It is also used to slow kidney disease progression in people with diabetes. Generic lisinopril is available ...

Full Lisinopril guide →

How Each Drug Works

Lisinopril

Lisinopril is a competitive inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), the enzyme responsible for converting angiotensin I (an inactive precursor) to angiotensin II (a potent vasoconstrictor). By blocking this conversion, lisinopril disrupts the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) at a critical step.

Step-by-step mechanism:

1. ACE inhibition and angiotensin II reduction ACE (also called kininase II) cleaves the C-terminal dipeptide from angiotensin I to produce angio…

Approved Uses (Indications)

Ibuprofen

Uses

temporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to:
headache
muscular aches
minor pain of arthritis
toothache
backache
the common cold
menstrual cramps
temporarily reduces fever

Lisinopril

FDA-Approved Indications:

Hypertension (high blood pressure):

Treatment of hypertension in adults and pediatric patients aged 6 years and older
May be used as monotherapy or in combination with other antihypertensive agents
Particularly preferred in patients with diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), or heart failure

Heart failure (HF):

Adjunctive therapy for the management of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF, EF <40%) in patients not adequately controlled on diuretics and digitalis
Reduces mortality, hospitalizations for heart failure, and symptoms…

Side Effects

Lisinopril

Serious Side Effects

Angioedema — rare (0.1–0.7%) but potentially life-threatening; involves swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, larynx, or intestines. Laryngeal angioedema can cause fatal airway obstruction. Occurs most commonly within the first month but can occur after years of therapy. Black patients have 3–4× higher risk. DISCONTINUE IMMEDIATELY and do not rechallenge with any ACE inhibitor. Patients with a history of angioedema (any cause) should not receive ACE inhibitorsAcute kidney injury (AKI) — can occur in patients with bilateral renal artery stenosis, single functioning kidney with renal artery stenosis, or severe volume depletion. Monitor renal function closely after initiation and dose changes in high-risk patientsSevere hyperkalemia (K+ >6.0 mEq/L) — can cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Risk is highest in patients with CKD, diabetes, or on concurrent potassium-sparing agents. Monitor potassium regularlyNeutropenia / agranulocytosis — rare; more common in patients with collagen vascular disease (lupus, scleroderma) or renal impairment. Monitor CBC in these patients

Common Side Effects

Dry, persistent cough — 10–20% of patients (up to 40% in Asian populations); caused by bradykinin accumulation; most common reason for ACE inhibitor discontinuation. Resolves within 1–4 weeks of stopping lisinopril. Consider switching to an ARB (e.g., losartan) if cough is intolerableDizziness / lightheadedness — especially with first dose or dose increases; caused by blood pressure reduction. Take the first dose at bedtime to minimize first-dose hypotensionHeadache — up to 6.3% in clinical trialsFatigue — up to 3.7%Hyperkalemia (elevated potassium) — due to aldosterone suppression; risk increased with renal impairment, diabetes, potassium supplements, or concurrent use of potassium-sparing diuretics or NSAIDs. Monitor potassium at baseline and 1–2 weeks after initiation or dose changeElevated serum creatinine — modest, reversible increase (10–20%) is expected and generally acceptable; indicates drug is working on glomerular hemodynamics. Discontinue if creatinine rises >30% above baseline or if acute kidney injury is suspectedHypotension — particularly with first dose in volume-depleted patients (on diuretics, low-sodium diet, diarrhea/vomiting). Reduce diuretic dose before starting lisinopril if possibleNausea, diarrhea — up to 2–3%

Rare Side Effects

Hepatotoxicity — rare cases of cholestatic jaundice progressing to fulminant hepatic necrosis reported; discontinue if jaundice or marked hepatic enzyme elevation occursIntestinal angioedema — presents as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting; may be misdiagnosed as acute abdomenPemphigus (skin blistering) — rare case reportsTaste disturbance (dysgeusia) — more common with captopril (sulfhydryl group) than lisinopril

Cost Comparison

Ibuprofen

$4-$15/month

Ibuprofen is widely available as an inexpensive generic, even without insurance. Discount cards can further reduce the cost at many pharmacies.

Lisinopril

$4–$15/month

Generic available

Generic lisinopril is one of the most affordable prescription medications in the US: - **5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg tablets:** $4–$15/month at most major pharmacies (Walmart, Kroger, Publix $4 generic programs) - **Brand-name Prinivil or Zestril:** Rarely prescribed due to identical efficacy of generics; $100–$300+/month **GoodRx and discount cards** can reduce costs to under $5/month at many pharmacies. Lisinopril is covered by virtually all insurance plans as a Tier 1 (lowest cost) drug on most formularies. **Combination products:** - Zestoretic (lisinopril + hydrochlorothiazide): $10–$30/month (generic) - Prinzide (lisinopril + hydrochlorothiazide): generic available ~$10–$25/month

Drug Interaction: Moderate

Concomitant use of lisinopril and ibuprofen can increase the risk of acute kidney injury, particularly in elderly or volume-depleted patients. It may also reduce the antihypertensive effects of lisinopril, leading to uncontrolled blood pressure.

Mechanism: Ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), inhibits prostaglandin synthesis. Prostaglandins are crucial for maintaining renal blood flow, especially when the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is inhibited by lisinopril. This can lead to impaired renal function and fluid retention.

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Medical Disclaimer

The information on RxGuide is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or medication. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.