Lisinopril

Lisinopril (Zestril, Prinivil)

What Is Lisinopril?

Lisinopril is a prescription medicine sold under the brand names Zestril^® and Prinivil^®. It is also available as a generic medication (Lisinopril tablets). It has been licensed to treat several conditions related to the heart and blood vessels. Some uses of the medication include:

Controlling high blood pressure (hypertension)
Treating congestive heart failure
Improving survival following a heart attack.

Lisinopril has also been approved as a treatment for high blood pressure in children 6 years of age and older.

However, it is not a cure for high blood pressure or congestive heart failure.

(Click What Is Lisinopril Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)

How Does Lisinopril Work?

Lisinopril is part of a class of drugs called ACE inhibitors.

ACE stands for angiotensin-converting enzyme. The medication helps block this enzyme, which is normally part of a reaction in the body that causes the blood vessels to narrow (constrict). By blocking this enzyme, it causes blood vessels to relax, which can lower blood pressure.

By helping blood vessels relax, it also increases the efficiency of the heart. This means that the heart does not have to work as hard and more blood can be pumped out to the rest of the body. Both of these are helpful for a person with congestive heart failure.

How Effective Is It?

A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers -- for example, 120/80. The top number is known as the systolic blood pressure, and the bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure. During clinical studies in people taking lisinopril, both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly lowered. The higher the dose, the greater the drop in blood pressure tended to be. By lowering blood pressure, lisinopril can decrease the risks that often accompany long-term high blood pressure (see Effects of High Blood Pressure).

For people with congestive heart failure, the effects of lisinopril on the heart and blood vessels cause a decrease in the symptoms of congestive heart failure (including shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling), as well as improved exercise tolerance.

When and How Do I Take It?

General considerations for when and how to take lisinopril include the following:

It comes in tablet form and is taken once a day.
You can take it with or without food.
It should be taken at the same time each day to maintain an even level of the medicine in your blood.
If you have difficulty taking the tablet, talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider about a different form of lisinopril.
For it to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. Lisinopril will not work if you stop taking it.

Dosing Information for Lisinopril

The dosage that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:

Your age
The medical condition being treated
Other medical conditions you may have
Other medications you are currently taking.

As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.

(Click Lisinopril Dosage for more information.)

Side Effects

As with any medicine, side effects are possible. Not everyone who takes the drug, however, will experience side effects. If side effects do occur, in many cases, they are minor, meaning that they require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.

Common side effects include:

Cough (see Lisinopril Cough)
Extreme low blood pressure (hypotension)
Diarrhea
Dizziness.

(Click Side Effects of Lisinopril to learn more, including potentially serious side effects to watch out for.)

You can also read about other possible side effects by clicking the following eMedTV articles:

Drug Interactions

This drug can potentially interact with a number of medicines (see Lisinopril Drug Interactions).

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this medication if you have:

Heart disease, including congestive heart failure, aortic stenosis, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Liver disease, including cirrhosis
Kidney disease or kidney failure
Diabetes
Scleroderma
Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus or SLE)
A personal or family history of angioedema, which is swelling under the skin
Any allergies, including allergies to ACE inhibitors, foods, dyes, or preservatives.

Also, let your healthcare provider know if you:

Are pregnant or trying to become pregnant (see Lisinopril and Pregnancy)
Are breastfeeding
Are on dialysis
Will be undergoing surgery or anesthesia.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you are currently taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Do not take any salt substitutes containing potassium without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

(Click Lisinopril Warnings and Precautions to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)

What If I Overdose on Lisinopril?

People who take too much of the medication may have overdose symptoms that could include extremely low blood pressure.

If you happen to overdose, seek immediate medical attention.

(Click Lisinopril Overdose for more information.)

How Should It Be Stored?

It should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. The tablets should be kept in an airtight container.

Keep lisinopril and all medications out of the reach of children.

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?

If you do not take your lisinopril as scheduled, take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed one and continue with normal dosing. Never take a double dose!

Strengths of Lisinopril

Lisinopril comes in several strengths. These include:

Lisinopril 2.5 mg
Lisinopril 5 mg
Lisinopril 10 mg
Lisinopril 20 mg
Lisinopril 30 mg
Lisinopril 40 mg.

Who Makes Lisinopril?

Lisinopril is a generic medicine. It is made by several companies that specialize in making generic medications. Companies that make Lisinopril tablets include:

Teva Pharmaceuticals
Mylan Laboratories
Sandoz
Watson Pharmaceuticals.

(Click Generic Lisinopril for more information.)