What is the difference between metoprolol and lisinopril

High blood pressure is a medical condition in which the heart pumps blood with too much force through the arteries.

An ACE inhibitor lowers blood pressure by preventing the body from producing a substance called angiotensin II. Angiotensin II makes the heart work harder and causes high blood pressure because it narrows blood vessels.

A beta blocker, on the other hand, lowers blood pressure by blocking the effects that epinephrine has on the body. By blocking epinephrine, or adrenaline, a beta blocker enables the heart to beat at a slower pace, and less forcefully as well. Lisinopril comes in tablet form and the usual prescription is to take it once a day. In addition to high blood pressure, lisinopril is also helpful in treating heart failure , when combined with other medications. If your high blood pressure is accompanied by chest pain or anxiety, a beta blocker could be a better option.

Doctors may even prescribe both types of medications at the same time under certain circumstances. Use this guide to compare ACE inhibitors vs. Sign up for Acebutolol HCL price alerts and find out when the price changes! Get price alerts. ACE inhibitors angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors dilate blood vessels and decrease blood volume, which lowers blood pressure and increases blood flow to the heart.

To do so, ACE inhibitors block the angiotensin-converting enzyme from converting angiotensin I to angiotensin II—a hormone that constricts blood vessels. ACE inhibitors are most commonly prescribed by doctors to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. They can also help reduce the risk of fatalities after a heart attack myocardial infarction. Beta blockers beta-adrenergic blocking agents block the effects of stress hormones that are part of the sympathetic nervous system.

These hormones include norepinephrine and epinephrine also called adrenaline. Blocking these hormones allows blood vessels to relax and dilate. In turn, beta blockers can slow the heartbeat, lower blood pressure, and improve blood flow. Beta blockers can treat high blood pressure along with other hmnealth conditions like congestive heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms, anxiety, and chest pain.

Get the SingleCare prescription discount card. Sign up for lisinopril price alerts and find out when the price changes! A doctor might prescribe an ACE inhibitor and a beta blocker at the same time to optimize blood pressure levels for high-risk hypertensive patients or people with certain medical conditions like coronary heart disease or chronic heart failure. This combination therapy may include taking ACE inhibitors and beta blockers at the same time or taking one with some other type of blood pressure medication like angiotensin receptor blockers ARBs.

ACE inhibitors and beta blockers work differently and target different parts of the body. In this way, they can complement each other. Both ACE inhibitors and beta blockers can be dangerous for pregnant women. They can cause dizziness from low blood pressure and potentially cause birth defects. ACE inhibitors raise blood potassium levels, so monitoring potassium intake during treatment is necessary.

Drinking alcohol while taking metoprolol can increase your risk of drowsiness. During the first few days of taking metoprolol, or after an increased dose, consider avoiding alcohol until you see how the medicine affects you. Also, if you are taking the extended-release form of metoprolol metoprolol succinate , alcohol speeds up the action of metoprolol, and the drug is released into your system faster than expected DailyMed, Similarly, avoid driving a car or riding a bike when starting the medication or increasing the dose.

Pregnant women are advised to discuss medication options with their healthcare provider before starting metoprolol. If the potential risks outweigh the benefits, they may receive alternative medications for high blood pressure in pregnancy.

Metoprolol is also present in small quantities in breast milk. Nursing mothers should seek medical advice regarding the risks and benefits of using metoprolol DailyMed, Certain drugs may interfere with the way metoprolol works. Before starting metoprolol, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription drugs, as well as any over-the-counter medicines , vitamins, and herbal supplements you are taking—you may need to change the dose or monitor for side effects NIH, Also important to note, both forms of metoprolol share similar drug interactions.

This list does not include all potential drug interactions. Metoprolol is a widely prescribed medication for heart conditions in the United States, but it does come with a list of side effects and drug interactions. While most common side effects of metoprolol succinate brand name Toprol-XL and metoprolol tartrate brand name Lopressor are mild and transient, the FDA has issued a black box warning for metoprolol: sudden discontinuation of metoprolol can lead to chest pain and heart attack.

When stopping the medication, create a plan for tapering the dose to avoid serious adverse effects FDA, Other side effects of metoprolol include depression, tiredness, diarrhea, wheezing, shortness of breath, dry mouth, stomach pain, nausea, weight gain, constipation, and hives. More serious, yet less common, side effects are low blood pressure hypotension , heart block, worsening asthma or other lung conditions, slow heart rate bradycardia , worsening of heart failure, and masking of the low blood sugar response DailyMed, Generally speaking, metoprolol is considered an inexpensive and respected drug for treating heart conditions.

Both versions of the drug are also available as generics, which is usually a cost-effective alternative to the brand name drugs. Before starting the metoprolol, review all health information with your healthcare provider.

Let them know if you have a history of slow heart rate, heart failure, blood circulation problems, thyroid disease, or pheochromocytoma.

While taking the medication, your healthcare provider may ask you to regularly check your blood pressure and pulse to determine your response and any potential adverse effects to metoprolol.