Lisinopril
Description
Lisinopril is a medicine mostly used in the treatment of hypertension (increased blood pressure). It is used along with other medications in treating heart failure (a condition where the heart cannot pump sufficient blood). Lisinopril also reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke. Lisinopril works by relaxing the blood vessels and thereby promotes the smooth flow of blood.
Lisinopril shows some common side effects like dizziness, headache, cough, fatigue, weakness and low blood pressure. Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to it. Consult your doctor if any of these symptoms persist for a long time. Lisinopril is not recommended for use in children below 6 years of age as the safety data is unavailable.
Lisinopril can be taken with or without food and with an adequate amount of water. For the ease of remembering, take Lisinopril around the same time every day. Frequent monitoring of blood pressure and electrolytes levels is necessary during treatment with this medicine. You may have to take this medicine for the long term depending on your health condition. Do not stop taking this medicine without your doctor's advice.
Lisinopril can make you feel tired and dizzy when you consume alcohol during treatment. Do not drive vehicles or operate any machines if you experience these symptoms. Appropriate lifestyle changes like eating low salt and low-fat diet, exercising regularly and quitting smoking will help you to get better results with this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Lisinopril
- Blurred vision
- Confusion
- Decreased urine output
- Dizziness
- Abdominal pain
- Cough
- Diarrhoea
- Headache
- Chest discomfort
- Fast heartbeat
- Joint pain
- Lack of strength
- Skin Rash
- Acid or sour stomach
- Indigestion
- Heartburn
Uses of Lisinopril
What is it prescribed for?
- Hypertension
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Myocardial infarction
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of Lisinopril can be observed in 6 to 8 hours.
- Duration of effectThe effect of Lisinopril lasts for an average duration of 24 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol with Lisinopril may lower your blood pressure and can cause dizziness, headache and change your heart rate. Avoid consuming alcohol while using this medicine.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency has been reported for Lisinopril.
- Usage in pregnancy?Lisinopril is not recommended for use during pregnancy as it may cause serious side effects on your baby. Hence your physician may advise a safer alternative medicine with the same therapeutic effect based on your clinical condition.
- Usage while breast-feeding?It is not known whether Lisinopril passes into breast milk. Hence is not recommended for use during breastfeeding. Your physician may advise a safer alternative medicine with the same therapeutic effect based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
Avoid taking Lisinopril if you are allergic to it or if you have a history of allergy to Lisinopril. If you notice any symptoms such as a skin rash, itching/swelling anywhere on your body, dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc., inform your doctor and seek immediate medical attention.
Aliskiren
Use of Lisinopril together with Aliskiren (a medicine used to reduce high blood pressure) in the elderly population with diabetes and severe kidney damage and may not give desired effect rather causes serious effects. Hence avoid using this medicine together with Aliskiren.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Lisinopril is not recommended for use during pregnancy as it may cause serious side effects on your baby. Hence your physician may advise a safer alternative medicine with the same therapeutic effect based on your clinical condition.
Breast-feeding
It is not known whether Lisinopril passes into breast milk. Hence is not recommended for use during breastfeeding. Your physician may advise a safer alternative medicine with the same therapeutic effect based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Hypotension
Lisinopril may cause symptomatic hypotension (low blood pressure) if you are with volume depletion (a reduction in extracellular fluid volume) or treated with high dose diuretics (medicines used to increase urine output). Hence, better to start the treatment at low doses.
Hyperkalemia
Hyperkalemia (a condition with an increase in the potassium levels in the blood) is one of the side effects of Lisinopril. Hence, maintain caution while using potassium-sparing diuretics or potassium supplements if you have any medical condition affecting your kidneys.
Liver disease
Lisinopril can affect your liver. Your liver function needs to be carefully monitored while you are on treatment with this medicine. If you notice any signs of liver damage like jaundice, inform your doctor immediately.
Use in children
Lisinopril should not be used in children below 6 years of age due to the lack of safety and efficacy studies.
Cough
Lisinopril may cause persistent non-productive cough (without mucous production). It is resolved when the medicine is discontinued. However, do not stop taking the tablet on your own. Consult your doctor if the cough is worrisome.
Kidney disease
Lisinopril may cause Azotemia (increased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine level in the body) if you have a known history of severe kidney problems. Your kidney function has to be closely monitored while you are taking this medicine.
Driving and operating machine
Lisinopril may cause dizziness, or drowsiness in some people. Do not drive vehicles or operate machines after taking this medicine.
Missed Dose
In case the scheduled dose of Lisinopril is forgotten, take it as soon as you remember. Skip the dose if the delay has been for more than 12 hours. Take the next dose at the scheduled time. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Never take more than the prescribed dose. Seek emergency medical treatment or contact your doctor in case you suspect an overdose of Lisinopril. Symptoms associated with overdose of Lisinopril may include hypotension, circulatory shock, electrolyte disturbances, kidney failure, increased heart rate, palpitations, dizziness and cough.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol with Lisinopril may lower your blood pressure and can cause dizziness, headache and change your heart rate. Avoid consuming alcohol while using this medicine.
Interaction with Medicine
Losartan
Corticosteroids
Aliskiren
Insulin
Diclofenac
Disease interactions
Angioedema
Avoid the use of Lisinopril if you have angioedema (rapid oedema, or swelling, of the area beneath the skin or mucosa) due to the increased risk of recurrent symptoms and may worsen your condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Lisinopril with or without food preferably before going to bed or as instructed by your doctor. Do not break, crush or chew the tablet in your mouth.
Do not take more or fewer doses than prescribed. It is a long-term treatment. Do not stop using this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Make sure to dispose of the strip properly if the medicine has reached the expiry date. Unused medicine should be disposed of properly. Keep the medicine out of reach of children and pets.
Strictly follow the instructions given by your doctor. Do not take potassium supplements or foods rich in potassium as this medicine can increase potassium levels (hyperkalaemia).
You may feel dizzy after taking this medicine. Hence get up slowly from your sitting position and avoid driving vehicles and operating machines.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) that works by reducing the overload on your heart, relaxing the blood vessels and thereby promoting the free flow of blood, it decreases your blood pressure
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors
Schedule
Schedule H
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Lisinopril 10mg Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 August 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - lisinopril- Lisinopril tablet. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 August 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Lisinopril: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 6 August 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 August 2021].
Gp2u.com.au. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 August 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 15 Sep 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.