Highlights
- Lisinopril is primarily used to treat high blood pressure and can also be used to treat kidney problems in people with diabetes.
- An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, lisinopril acts on a key hormone cycle for regulating blood pressure.
- If you have kidney or liver disease, you may need to seek other blood pressure treatment options.
Hypertension, also called high blood pressure, is a major contributor to complications and deaths surrounding a wide range of medical issues, most notably heart disease. If you have high blood pressure, your doctor might prescribe lisinopril. Learn what lisinopril is used for, how it works, who should and shouldn’t take it, and how to get the lowest price for lisinopril.
What Is Lisinopril and What Is It Used For?
Lisinopril is a first-line treatment for high blood pressure. Lisinopril is also used for symptoms related to heart attacks and heart failure and to manage blood pressure immediately after a heart attack. If you have kidney problems related to diabetes, you may also be prescribed lisinopril.
Lisinopril is sold under many brand names, including Zestril, Prinivil, and Qbrelis. The generic version became available in 1987.
How Does Lisinopril Work?
Lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. ACE inhibitors help manage blood pressure by specifically targeting and inhibiting the enzyme ACE. By blocking ACE, lisinopril prevents the conversion of angiotensin I into angiotensin II. Angiotensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor, meaning it narrows the blood vessels and increases blood pressure.
By reducing the levels of angiotensin II, lisinopril helps to relax and widen the blood vessels, allowing for improved blood flow. This action helps to maintain healthy blood pressure levels and reduce the strain on the heart and cardiovascular system.
Lisinopril Dosage and Administration
Lisinopril is taken orally, either as a capsule or in solution form. Generally, adults will start with 10 milligrams once daily, moving towards a maintenance dose of 20 milligrams and can receive doses as high as 40 milligrams.
Lisinopril can be stored anywhere away from moisture and heat, and solutions should not be frozen.
Lisinopril can be taken with or without food and should be paired with a hydration regimen to limit side effects and other problems.
What Formulas Are Available for Lisinopril?
Lisinopril is most often prescribed as a stand-alone drug, but it is also available in combination with other medications. The most common combinations include:
Lisinopril-hydrochlorothiazide: This combination medication includes lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide, which is a diuretic (water pill). It is commonly prescribed to treat high blood pressure by reducing fluid retention and lowering blood pressure.
Lisinopril-amlodipine: This combination medication combines lisinopril with amlodipine, which is a calcium channel blocker. It is used to treat high blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels and improving blood flow.
Lisinopril-hydrochlorothiazide-amlodipine: This combination medicine contains lisinopril, hydrochlorothiazide, and amlodipine. It is prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure when multiple medications are needed to control blood pressure levels effectively.
HCTZ prevents the kidneys from retaining water, helping to flush more sodium out of the body. Reducing fluid volume can help drive down blood pressure, although it’s important to maintain a balance.
What Are the Potential Side Effects of Lisinopril?
The most common side effect of lisinopril is dehydration. Because it interferes with one of the ways the body manages fluids, dehydration is more of a risk when you’re taking lisinopril. Talk to your doctor about a hydration regimen and what to avoid while taking it, as some common drinks like coffee and alcohol may potentially have diuretic effects.
Review what to do if you’re experiencing a medical condition that causes dehydration, such as diarrhea, ongoing vomiting, or excess sweating. These can speed up dehydration and can catch patients by surprise if they’re not monitoring their fluid intake. If you live in a warm area, lisinopril can increase your risk of heatstroke.
Other possible common side effects of lisinopril include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Cough
- Nausea
- Skin rash
There is the potential for more serious side effects, such as:
- Acute kidney injury due to elevated creatinine or blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels
- Elevated blood potassium
- Swelling under the skin (angioedema)
- Severe cough
Who Shouldn’t Take Lisinopril?
Before taking lisinopril, review your medical history with your doctor, particularly if you’ve ever had:
- Any form of kidney disease
- Any type of liver disease
- A history of angioedema (swelling just under the skin or mucous membranes anywhere on the body.)
- High blood potassium levels
- Are currently on dialysis or may need to begin dialysis in the near future
If you’ve never taken an ACE inhibitor before, request an allergy test to ensure it’s safe to take, and let your doctor know if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to an ACE inhibitor, even a minor one. If you’re pregnant or may become pregnant, do not take lisinopril, as it may harm the baby.
Are There any Potential Drug Interactions with Lisinopril?
Lisinopril has several drug interactions you need to be aware of. Be sure that all your providers are aware of all drugs and supplements that you take.
The drugs that can have potentially dangerous interactions with lisinopril include:
-
- Sacubitril (Entresto). Another type of antihypertensive. Don’t take lisinopril within 36 hours of a dose of sacubitril.
- Aliskiren (Tekturna, Rasilez). If you have diabetes, do not take lisinopril together with any medication that contains aliskiren.
- Erectile dysfunction drugs such as sildenafil. ED drugs are generally vasodilators and may not be recommended, depending on how you control your blood pressure.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). NSAIDs (pain relievers like Tylenol, ibuprofen, and aspirin) can weaken the effectiveness of lisinopril in lowering blood pressure and may increase the risk of kidney problems.
- Certain diabetes medications. Lisinopril can sometimes enhance the blood sugar-lowering effects of oral hypoglycemic agents or insulin, leading to a potential risk of low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia). If your doctor prescribes lisinopril while you’re taking one of these diabetes medications, your doctor will want to closely monitor your blood sugar levels and adjust the dosage of diabetes medications as needed.
- Potassium supplements. Lisinopril can increase the levels of potassium in the body. Taking additional potassium supplements can further elevate potassium levels to potentially dangerous levels.
What Other Precautions Should I Take With Lisinopril?
As with all medications, there are precautions that you should take if you’re taking lisinopril. These include:
- Follow the prescribed dosage: It is important to take lisinopril exactly as prescribed by a healthcare professional. Do not take more or less than the prescribed dose without consulting a doctor.
- Stay hydrated: Lisinopril can sometimes cause excessive fluid loss due to its effects on blood pressure and fluid balance. Ensure you drink an adequate amount of water and stay hydrated while taking the medication.
- Keep your healthcare providers informed: Before starting lisinopril, inform your provider about any existing medical conditions, including allergies, kidney disease, liver disease, heart conditions, diabetes, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Monitor blood pressure and kidney function: Regularly monitor your blood pressure while taking lisinopril and keep track of any changes. Additionally, your doctor may order periodic blood tests to evaluate kidney function, as lisinopril can affect kidney function in some individuals.
- Avoid pregnancy: Lisinopril is not recommended during pregnancy, as it can cause harm to the developing fetus. If you become pregnant while taking lisinopril, inform your doctor immediately.
- Report side effects: If you experience any unusual side effects while taking lisinopril, such as dizziness, persistent cough, swelling, or difficulty breathing, contact your prescribing provider promptly.
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