Lisinopril
About Lisinopril
Lisinopril is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and reduce the risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure. High blood pressure is a chronic condition in which the pressure in the blood vessels is high. The blood exerts high pressure on blood vessel walls (arteries), leading to hypertension. Heart failure can occur when your heart cannot pump the blood sufficiently required for the body's remaining. A heart attack or stroke is the blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle. The blockade usually occurs due to fat/cholesterol build-up in the coronary artery (which supplies blood to the heart).
Lisinopril contains lisinopril, which works by lowering the body’s production of substances that could increase blood pressure. Lisinopril relaxes and widens the blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump blood to all parts of the body, lowering the raised blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart failure, heart attack or stroke.
Take Lisinopril with or without food. Do not chew, crush, or break the tablet; swallow it as a whole with a glass of water. Take Lisinopril at the same time every day. Sometimes, you may experience common side effects like headache, dizziness, fatigue, and cough. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and resolve gradually over time. Talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Lisinopril for as long as your doctor has prescribed it. Try not to stop taking it on your own as it may cause a sudden increase the blood pressure, chest pain or heart attack. Regular monitoring of blood pressure, electrolyte levels and kidney functioning is advised while taking Lisinopril. It would help to consume low table salt (sodium chloride) and a low-fat diet while taking Lisinopril. Avoid taking Lisinopril if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor. They may prescribe you alternate medicine. Lisinopril is not recommended for children below 18 years of age as efficacy and safety have not been established.
Uses of Lisinopril
Medicinal Benefits
Lisinopril relaxes and widens the blood vessels, making it easier for the heart to pump blood to all body parts. This helps lower blood pressure and the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Lisinopril helps reduce standing and lying down blood pressure without any orthostatic effect (a sudden decrease in blood pressure might occur when a person stands up suddenly). However, when dehydrated, Lisinopril may show an orthostatic effect. Continued usage of Lisinopril reduces the severity of heart failure, hospitalization rate and symptoms such as weakness and shortness of breath. Lisinopril is used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat high blood pressure.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Lisinopril
Headache
Nausea
Dizziness
Weakness
Hypotension (low blood pressure)
Sinusitis (inflammation of the sinus)
Shortness of breath
Stomach pain
Diarrhea
Indigestion
Skin rash
Chest pain
Muscle pain
Hyperkalemia (increased levels of potassium in the blood)
A dry cough that does not go away
Kidney problems (shown in a blood test)
Drug Warnings
Do not take Lisinopril if you are allergic to Lisinopril or any of its contents. Talk to your doctor if you have heart, kidney or liver problems. Lisinopril may sometimes cause lower blood pressure than normal, especially in dehydrated people who take diuretics (medicines to treat oedema) and low sodium levels. Regularly check your blood pressure levels to avoid any risks. Avoid taking Lisinopril if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor. They may prescribe you alternate medicine. Lisinopril is not recommended for children below 18 years of age as efficacy and safety have not been established. Inform your doctor about your medications and your health condition to rule out any unpleasant side effects. Consult your doctor if you have lost a lot of body fluids through vomiting, diarrhoea, or sweating more than normal or if you are taking low water tablets to treat oedema (diuretics), or if you undergo dialysis. Stop taking Lisinopril one day before receiving an anaesthetic to undergo any surgery or dental procedure. Inform your doctor that you are taking Lisinopril. Regular monitoring of blood pressure, electrolyte levels and kidney functioning is advised while taking Lisinopril.
Drug Interactions
DRUG-DRUG INTERACTIONS: Lisinopril may have interaction with heart failure medicines (sacubitril, valsartan), NSAIDs (aspirin, naproxen, indomethacin, ibuprofen), drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction (sildenafil), anti-gout medicines (allopurinol), anti-diabetic medicines (sitagliptin, metformin, insulin glargine), medicines used to treat oedema (furosemide), anti-hypertensive medication (aliskiren), medicines to treat depression (lithium), potassium supplements.
DRUG-FOOD INTERACTIONS: Maintain low salt and low-fat diet while taking Lisinopril. Avoid consuming potassium-rich foods such as potassium-containing salt substitutes or over-the-counter potassium supplements. Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
DRUG-DISEASE INTERACTIONS: Lisinopril may have interactions with angioedema (swelling), congestive heart failure (heart problems), anti-hemodialysis, low blood pressure, hyperkalemia (high levels of potassium in the body), liver diseases and kidney dysfunction.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Lisinopril to avoid unpleasant side-effects. Alcohol intake might interfere with the working of Lisinopril. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Pregnancy
unsafeIt is not recommended to take Lisinopril while you are pregnant. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this, your doctor will decide whether Lisinopril can be given to pregnant women or not.
Breast Feeding
unsafeIt is not recommended to take Lisinopril while you are breastfeeding. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this, your doctor will decide whether Lisinopril can be given to breast-feeding mothers or not.
Driving
cautionLisinopril may cause dizziness, do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel dizzy.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Lisinopril should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Lisinopril should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeLisinopril should not be used by children, as the efficacy and safety have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
You are advised to consume low salt and low-fat diet while taking Lisinopril.
Regular exercise is also recommended to complement treatment with Lisinopril.
Eat a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.
Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
Maintain a healthy weight with proper diet and exercise.
Managing stress with meditation, yoga, and massage would also help treat high blood pressure.
Special Advise
Regularly monitor blood pressure levels to prevent hypotension (low blood pressure).
Get up slowly while rising from a lying or sitting position, as the Lisinopril may cause dizziness.
Keep your doctor informed about your health/disease conditions and your medicines.
Avoid consuming potassium-rich food, such as bananas, broccoli, almonds, avocado and potassium supplements.
To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Lisinopril for as long as your doctor has prescribed it.
Try not to stop taking it on your own as it may cause a sudden increase the blood pressure, chest pain, or heart attack.
Your doctor may advise you to get a regular kidney function test and potassium levels in the body while taking Lisinopril.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension: The blood exerts increased pressure on the walls of blood vessels, leading to hypertension. High blood pressure is expressed as systolic/diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats or pumps out blood. Diastolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries between the heartbeats. Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) by a blood pressure monitor called a sphygmomanometer. Some of the symptoms are headache, dizziness, nosebleeds, altered vision, chest pain, weakness, and shortness of breath. However, most of the time, the signs and symptoms of hypertension are none.
FAQs
Lisinopril is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and reduce the risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure.
Lisinopril belongs to the group of medicines called Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors that works by lowering the body’s production of substances that could increase the blood pressure. Lisinopril relaxes and widens the blood vessels making it easier for the heart to pump blood to all parts of the body. This helps in lowering the blood pressure and the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
If you are diabetic you should monitor your blood glucose levels often especially in the first few weeks because Lisinopril can lower glucose/sugar levels in the blood. However, please consult your doctor before taking Lisinopril if you are diabetic.
Please do not stop taking Lisinopril without consulting your doctor on your own as it may lead to rise in blood pressure. Continue taking Lisinopril for as long as your doctor has prescribed it to you. Do not be reluctant to speak with your doctor if you experience any difficulty while taking Lisinopril.
Yes, orthostatic hypotension could be a side-effect of Lisinopril especially in people who are dehydrated. Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden lowering in blood pressure leading to dizziness on standing. If you experience this, do not try to stand up suddenly or start walking, instead lie down and get up slowly only when you feel better. People taking Lisinopril are advised to regularly monitor their blood pressure levels to avoid such unpleasant events.
Do not overdose on Lisinopril or any medicine as it could lead to very unpleasant side-effects. Take Lisinopril only as prescribed by your doctor. Overdose of Lisinopril can cause increased heartbeat, dizziness, and sleepiness. Rush to your nearest doctor as early as possible if you have overdosed on Lisinopril.
The most common side-effects of Lisinopril are headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, low blood pressure, inflammation of the sinus (sinusitis), shortness of breath, stomach pain, diarrhea, indigestion, skin rash, chest pain, muscle pain, and increased levels of potassium in the blood. Please consult your doctor if you experience any of these side-effects persistently.
Lisinopril may cause nasal congestion due to dilation of vessels in the nasal mucosa.
Before taking Lisinopril you should tell your doctor if you are allergic to Lisinopril or any of its ingredients, if you have diabetes, irregular blood pressure, any problems related to heart, kidneys (if you are on dialysis), liver, or blood, such as a low white blood cell count (neutropenia or agranulocytosis) and if you have recently had diarrhea or vomiting. Let your doctor know about all the other medicines you are taking as they may affect, or be affected by Lisinopril. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding or are planning to conceive, consult your doctor before taking Lisinopril to avoid any harmful effects on the baby.
Lisinopril should be taken at the same time every day to reduce the chances of a missed dose. As it can make you dizzy, your doctor may advise you to take your first dose before bedtime. If you do not feel dizzy after the first dose, you may take Lisinopril at any time of the day.
Yes, Lisinopril may make you feel dizzy or lightheaded. If you feel dizzy when you stand up, try getting up very slowly or stay seated until you feel better. To avoid fainting, lie down if you begin to feel dizzy, then sit until you feel better. Avoid driving or using tools or machines and anything requiring concentration while you are feeling dizzy or shaky.
Avoid taking excess salt in your diet and find ways to manage or reduce stress in your life. Take up a hobby, or practice meditation or yoga. Make sure that you have a sound sleep every night as this also lowers stress levels and helps to keep your blood pressure normal. Quit smoking and alcohol consumption as this helps in lowering your blood pressure and preventing heart problems. Exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet that includes fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free products. If you need any further guidance, consult your doctor to get the maximum benefit of Lisinopril and to keep yourself healthy.
Some people may experience dry cough, as a side effect of Lisinopril, which can be persistent and may not be relieved by any medicine. Talk to your doctor if it bothers you or if you have problems falling asleep. Your doctor may advice ways of managing the cough or may recommend another medicine. Remember, do not stop taking Lisinopril without first consulting your doctor as it may raise your blood pressure and increase the risk of developing a heart attack or stroke. Even if you stop taking Lisinopril, the cough may take a few days to a month to resolve completely.
There is no proof that Lisinopril affects either men or women’s fertility. However, if you are planning to conceive, consult your doctor first as Lisinopril is not recommended in pregnancy.
Lisinopril may increase blood potassium levels, especially if you have kidney problems, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, and dehydration. Also, potassium levels may increase in patients who are using potassium salts or medicines or are over 70 years of age. Therefore, if you have any of these conditions and are using Lisinopril, be cautious and get regular blood tests done to check potassium levels.
