We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
WiseGEEK

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

What is the Connection Between Lisinopril and Norvasc®?

By Dennis Wilcox
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

The connection between lisinopril and Norvasc® is that they are both used to treat high blood pressure. Physicians also prescribe lisinopril for congestive heart failure and Norvasc® to relieve symptoms of angina or chest pain that results from blocked arteries in the heart. Lisinopril and Norvasc® can be used together to treat stubborn cases of high blood pressure, provided that the patient does not also have congestive heart failure. Norvasc® should not be used by someone with congestive heart failure.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, does not always have a clear cause. Aging; hardening of the arteries, or arthrosclerosis; obesity; diabetes; too much salt in the diet and heredity are all associated with high blood pressure. What is known is that several drugs are highly effective in treating high blood pressure, two of which are lisinopril and Norvasc®.

Lisinopril and Norvasc® each act differently on the body to lower blood pressure. Lisinopril is in a class of drugs known as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which block the action of the angiotensin-converting enzyme, a naturally occurring enzyme in the body. This prevents the body from synthesizing a hormone, angiotensin II, that causes blood vessels to constrict. Easing blood vessel constriction eases blood flow, lowering blood pressure in the process. This can also aid patients with congestive heart by reducing the workload on the heart.

Norvasc®, which has the generic name of amlodipine, is in a class of drugs known calcium channel blockers. Blood contains an electrolyte solution that is involved with the regulation of blood pressure in the body. Calcium ions are part of the solution. Calcium channel blockers lower blood pressure by reducing the rate at which calcium ions move from the bloodstream into blood vessels in the heart.

The action caused by calcium channel blockers relaxes the vessels, resulting in greater and easier blood flow in coronary arteries. This can reduce blood pressure. It can also lessen pain from angina, which occurs when coronary arterial blockages reduce oxygen flow to the heart muscle. Some calcium channel blockers can also slow the heart rate. Norvasc® does not have that effect, however.

It is common practice to prescribe more than one drug to treat high blood pressure because of how different drugs act on the body. For this reason, lisinopril and Norvasc® are often prescribed together, unless the patient has congestive heart failure. The action of Norvasc® on the heart is the opposite of what is needed for a patient with congestive heart failure. So, in that situation, the two drugs should not be used together.

Adverse interactions between the two medications seem to be rare. Of most concern is blood pressure getting too low. This condition is called hypotension.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
See our Editorial Process Share Feedback

Related Articles

Discussion Comments

By anon990126 — On Apr 07, 2015

I am on both of these drugs. I get a cramping in my left leg but it goes away. My bp was 155 over 110 or higher, so I am down to 138 over 82 with these drugs. I read about what high bp can do, cause strokes , heart attack, etc. So I will put up with a little side effects and hope they go away. Losarton caused itching, and I couldn't stand that.

I do feel fatigued, but I don't work so I can nap during the day. I will stay on these meds unless side effects get worse.

By ddljohn — On Sep 15, 2014

The lisinopril and Norvasc combination seems to work better for some people than others. I experienced too many side effects and had to switch to something else. But my friend is on them and it works well for him with little to no side effects. I guess it depends on the individual.

By serenesurface — On Sep 15, 2014

@turquoise-- That happened to me as well when I first started using these medications. I was extremely tired. But after the first month, this side effect lessened considerably. I'm now mostly fine.

I think that fatigue is not only due to the medications but due to the change in blood pressure. If the body was used to higher blood pressure rates, it will take some time for it to adjust to lower blood pressure. So the fatigue might just be a sign that your body hasn't adjusted yet.

If this side effect doesn't wear off after a few weeks though, then you should talk to your doctor about it. Speak to your doctor sooner if other side effects develop.

By turquoise — On Sep 15, 2014

I take lisinopril and Norvasc for high blood pressure. This combination is very effective. It keeps my otherwise uncontrollable blood pressure in the normal range. I'm very happy that I've found a treatment that actually works for me.

The only issue is that the medications cause a lot of fatigue. I'm not sure if it's the lisinopril or Norvasc, or combining them, but I'm tired all the time. I barely have energy to do anything.

Does anyone else experience this side effect from lisinopril and Norvasc?

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.