Comprehensive medication guide to Zestril including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$15 copay on most commercial insurance plans and Medicare Part D, where lisinopril is typically a Tier 1 preferred generic; prior authorization generally not required; 90-day fills available with many plans at lower per-dose cost.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$15–$27 retail for a 30-day supply of generic lisinopril at major pharmacy chains; as low as $6.14 with a GoodRx or SingleCare coupon; Walmart and Costco often under $10 with no coupon needed.
Medfinder Findability Score
78/100
On this page
Zestril is a brand name for lisinopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It has been available for nearly 30 years and is one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the United States. Lisinopril is also marketed under the brand names Prinivil (largely discontinued at retail) and Qbrelis (an oral liquid solution).
Zestril is FDA-approved for three indications: high blood pressure (hypertension) in adults and children aged 6 and older; congestive heart failure as add-on therapy in adults; and improving survival after an acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) in hemodynamically stable adults. It is also frequently prescribed off-label for diabetic nephropathy and chronic kidney disease.
Zestril tablets are available in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, and 40 mg strengths. It is taken orally once daily and can be taken with or without food. Generic lisinopril is therapeutically equivalent to brand Zestril and is available at significantly lower cost.
We have a 99% success rate finding medications, even during nationwide shortages.
Need this medication?
Lisinopril works by blocking the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), which is responsible for converting angiotensin I to angiotensin II — a potent vasoconstrictor. When ACE is inhibited, angiotensin II levels fall, causing blood vessels to relax and widen (vasodilate). This lowers blood pressure and reduces the workload on the heart.
ACE inhibition also reduces aldosterone secretion, causing the kidneys to excrete more sodium and water, further reducing blood pressure. In the kidneys, lisinopril reduces intraglomerular pressure by dilating the efferent arteriole — this slows kidney damage progression in diabetic nephropathy and CKD.
Unlike some other ACE inhibitors, lisinopril is an active drug (not a prodrug) that does not require liver metabolism to become active. It is excreted unchanged by the kidneys, has a half-life of approximately 12 hours, and supports once-daily dosing. ACE inhibition also increases bradykinin levels, contributing to vasodilation — but also causing the characteristic dry cough in approximately 10-20% of patients.
2.5 mg — tablet
Lowest dose; typically used in renal impairment, heart failure with hyponatremia, or post-MI with low blood pressure
5 mg — tablet
Common starting dose for heart failure and post-MI; also used in renal impairment and diuretic patients
10 mg — tablet
Standard initial adult dose for hypertension
20 mg — tablet
Common maintenance dose for hypertension and heart failure
30 mg — tablet
Higher maintenance dose for hypertension or heart failure requiring titration
40 mg — tablet
Maximum recommended daily dose for most indications
1 mg/mL — oral solution (Qbrelis)
Liquid formulation for patients who cannot swallow tablets; dispensed in 150 mL bottles
Zestril (lisinopril) is generally widely available in the United States. As of 2026, it is not on the FDA Drug Shortage database. However, certain manufacturers — including Teva (which temporarily discontinued some formulations) and Lupin (which discontinued some bottle configurations) — have reduced supply, creating localized stocking gaps at pharmacies that rely on those specific manufacturers.
Most patients can find their lisinopril by checking 2-3 different pharmacies, including independent pharmacies, which often have access to multiple distributors. Large warehouse stores (Costco, Sam's Club) and mail-order pharmacies maintain larger inventories and are rarely affected by local stocking gaps. The findability score of 78 reflects that national supply is adequate, but individual pharmacy stock-outs are a common patient experience.
If you're having trouble finding lisinopril, medfinder calls pharmacies near you to find which ones have your specific medication and strength in stock, then texts you the results.
Zestril (lisinopril) is not a controlled substance, so any licensed prescriber in the United States can prescribe it without special DEA registration. It is one of the most widely prescribed medications by a diverse range of healthcare providers.
Telehealth availability: Because lisinopril is a non-controlled medication, it can be prescribed via telehealth in all 50 states. Platforms like Teladoc, MDLive, Amazon Clinic, and Hims & Hers Health can evaluate and prescribe lisinopril for blood pressure management. Lab monitoring (creatinine, potassium) may be ordered through telehealth or local lab facilities.
No. Zestril (lisinopril) is not a controlled substance and is not scheduled by the DEA. It is a standard prescription medication that can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider in all 50 states — including through telehealth — without any special DEA registration or restrictions.
Because it is not a controlled substance, lisinopril prescriptions can typically be refilled multiple times, transferred between pharmacies freely, and ordered via mail-order pharmacy for 90-day supplies. There are no refill quantity limits or mandatory prescription intervals imposed by law (though individual prescribers may set their own refill policies).
Most patients tolerate lisinopril well. Common side effects include:
Serious side effects requiring immediate medical attention:
Know what you need? Skip the search.
Losartan (Cozaar)
ARB class; preferred substitute when ACE inhibitor cough is intolerable; once daily, inexpensive generic available; first-line for hypertension and diabetic nephropathy
Enalapril (Vasotec)
ACE inhibitor; well-established in heart failure (CONSENSUS/SOLVD trials); twice-daily dosing is less convenient than lisinopril; generic available
Ramipril (Altace)
ACE inhibitor; supported by HOPE trial evidence for cardiovascular risk reduction; commonly prescribed post-MI; generic available
Valsartan (Diovan)
ARB class; well-established in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction; preferred over ACE inhibitors when cough or angioedema is a concern; generic available
Benazepril (Lotensin)
ACE inhibitor; similar efficacy for hypertension; brand discontinued but generic widely available; once or twice daily
Prefer Zestril? We can find it.
Sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto)
majorDo not use within 36 hours. Both increase bradykinin; combination significantly raises risk of life-threatening angioedema.
Aliskiren (Tekturna)
majorAvoid in patients with diabetes or renal impairment. Combination causes increased risk of hypotension, hyperkalemia, and acute kidney injury.
mTOR inhibitors (everolimus, sirolimus, temsirolimus)
majorSignificantly increases risk of angioedema when combined with ACE inhibitors.
NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, celecoxib)
moderateReduces lisinopril's antihypertensive effect; in elderly or patients with renal impairment, combination can cause acute kidney injury.
Potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone, triamterene, amiloride)
moderateBoth lisinopril and potassium-sparing diuretics raise potassium; combination can cause dangerous hyperkalemia. Monitor potassium closely.
Potassium supplements and salt substitutes
moderateSalt substitutes containing potassium chloride combined with lisinopril can cause hyperkalemia.
Lithium
moderateLisinopril can increase lithium levels by reducing renal sodium clearance, potentially causing lithium toxicity.
ARBs (losartan, valsartan, etc.)
moderateDual RAS blockade increases risk of hyperkalemia, hypotension, and kidney injury without added benefit. Avoid combination.
Insulin and sulfonylureas
moderateLisinopril may enhance insulin sensitivity, increasing hypoglycemia risk in diabetic patients.
Zestril (lisinopril) is a cornerstone medication in cardiovascular and hypertension care. With nearly three decades of clinical use, a comprehensive safety and efficacy record, and extremely low cost as a generic, it remains one of the most valuable medications in American healthcare. For most patients, it is accessible, affordable, and effective.
The main challenges patients face are not with the medication itself, but with finding it at their pharmacy (due to localized stock-outs from manufacturer disruptions) and occasionally with side effects like the ACE inhibitor cough. Both challenges have straightforward solutions: switching pharmacies or using a pharmacy locator for availability, and switching to an ARB for cough intolerance.
If you're having trouble filling your lisinopril prescription, medfinder can help you locate nearby pharmacies that have it in stock. Enter your medication, dosage, and location and medfinder will call pharmacies near you and text you results.
Medfinder Editorial Standards
Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
Real-time availability
Verified 24m ago
Based on 28 real pharmacy checks · 1 patients helped
Zestril is in a shortage right now — Medfinder calls pharmacies near you to track down the ones that have it.
As of July 21, 2026, 2:01 AM ET, Zestril is currently experiencing a shortage. Across 28 pharmacy checks Medfinder placed in the last 30 days, Zestril was confirmed in stock 4% of the time.
Zestril is not on the FDA's active shortage list. Medfinder's own pharmacy calls put real-time availability at 4% across 28 checks in the last 30 days. Availability varies by metro, with the most pharmacy activity recorded around Sicklerville, NJ. These numbers are recomputed continuously from live pharmacy calls, so this page reflects current conditions rather than a static estimate.
Is Zestril in stock right now?
As of July 21, 2026, 2:01 AM ET, Zestril was confirmed in stock at 4% of 28 pharmacies Medfinder checked in the last 30 days. Availability changes daily, so we re-check in real time when you search.
How does Medfinder help me find Zestril?
Medfinder calls pharmacies in your area to verify whether Zestril and your specific dose are in stock, then sends you the pharmacy name, address, and phone number.
Need Zestril? We'll find the pharmacy that has it.
Sources: FDA Drug Shortages + Medfinder pharmacy data · Methodology · Full Zestril data
ChatGPT
Claude
Gemini