Lisinopril (By mouth)

lye-SIN-oh-pril

Treats high blood pressure and heart failure. Also given to reduce the risk of death after a heart attack. This medicine is an ACE inhibitor.

Drug classes

Antihypertensive, Cardiovascular Agent, Renal Protective Agent (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Lisinopril is used alone or together with other medicines to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. Lowering blood pressure can reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

Lisinopril works by blocking a substance in the body that causes the blood vessels to tighten. As a result, lisinopril relaxes the blood vessels. This lowers blood pressure and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart.

Lisinopril is also used to help treat heart failure. It is also used in some patients after a heart attack. After a heart attack, some of the heart muscle is damaged and weakened. The heart muscle may continue to weaken as time goes by. This makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood. Lisinopril may be started within 24 hours after a heart attack to increase survival rate.

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Tablet

Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Do not use this medicine together with aliskiren if you have diabetes.

Some foods and medicines may affect how lisinopril works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:

Aliskiren, everolimus, lithium, sirolimus, temsirolimus Another blood pressure medicine, including an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) Insulin or diabetes medicine Diuretic (water pills, including amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene) NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (including aspirin, celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen)

Ask your doctor before you use any medicine, supplement, or salt substitute that contains potassium.

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to lisinopril or another ACE inhibitor, or if you are pregnant.

Warnings

It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, or heart or blood vessel disease.

This medicine may cause the following problems:

Angioedema (severe swelling) Kidney problems Serious liver problems

This medicine could lower your blood pressure too much, especially when you first use it or if you are dehydrated. Stand or sit up slowly if you feel lightheaded or dizzy.

Do not stop using this medicine without asking your doctor, even if you feel well. This medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it will help keep it in a normal range. You may have to take blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash

Change in how much or how often you urinate

Confusion, weakness, uneven heartbeat, trouble breathing, numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips

Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes

Fever, chills, sore throat, body aches

Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting

Severe stomach pain (with or without nausea or vomiting)

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Dry cough

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Lytensopril, Lytensopril-90, Prinivil, Zestril

There may be other brand names for this medicine.