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Hi Islandgal, Lisinopril and Hydrochlorothiazide are often given separately or in combination to treat high blood pressure. The Lisinopril is in a class of drugs called "angiotensin converting enzyme" or ACE inhibitors. The hydrochlorothiazide is a water pill. When people take them in combination they often take them in the morning so the water pill doesn't get you up in the middle of the night.
A Generic drug has the same active ingredient as the brand name drug. It must also have the same dissolution and bioavailability as the brand name drug. It also must be manufactured under the same rigid manufacturing guidelines as the brand. For most people, there is absolutely no difference between the name brand and the generic version. However, there are 2 instances where one should be cautious. While the active ingredients are the same in the brand and the generic, they often have different inactive ingredients. A patient may rarely be allergic to one of the inactive ingredients in the generic. The other situation where one should be cautious is if you are taking a "narrow therapeutic" drug. These are drugs that are very beneficial in the right dosage, but a small variation in dosage could be dangerously subtherapeutic or too strong for the patient. Such drugs include digoxin, theophylline, synthroid, coumadin and others. With these drugs, patients should not switch back and forth between brand and generics without monitoring. Other than these 2 instances, you can have complete faith in generics.
Disclaimer: Please check with your doctor and/or pharmacist concerning any possible side effects or adverse reactions of drugs you are taking.