Depression and Lisinopril: An Overview
Several side effects are possible for people taking
lisinopril (
Zestril®,
Prinivil®).
Depression appears to be a rare complaint in people taking the drug. In clinical studies, depression was reported in less than 1 percent of people who took lisinopril. Given how common depression is in the general population and how rare a complaint it is in people who take lisinopril, it is difficult to say whether depression is caused by the medicine, specific factors, or a combination of things.
Depression and Lisinopril: What to Look For
While depression may not be a commonly reported side effect of lisinopril, it is extremely common in society today.
In fact, in any given one-year period, 9.5 percent of the population (about 18.8 million American adults) suffers from depression. Therefore, knowing the
symptoms of depression can be helpful.
Possible symptoms may include:
- A persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
- Feelings of hopelessness and pessimism
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and helplessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed, including sex
- Decreased energy, fatigue, and being "slowed down"
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, and making decisions
- Insomnia, early-morning awakening, or oversleeping
- Appetite and/or weight loss; overeating and weight gain
- Thoughts of death or suicide; suicide attempts
- Restlessness and irritability
- Persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain.
Keep in mind that other conditions can have similar symptoms.
