What is Lisinopril?
Lisinopril can be used alone or with other medications in the treatment of high blood pressure in adults and children aged 6 years and older.Adults can also take Lisinopril to treat congestive heart failure and to increase survival following a heart attack.Lisinopril belongs to a class of medications called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. This product works by reducing chemicals which tighten the blood vessels.Blood flows more freely, and the heart pumps blood more efficiently.When left untreated, high blood pressure can damage the brain, the heart, the blood vessels, the kidneys, and other organs. These organs can be damaged and cause heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, a heart attack, or heart failure. Making lifestyle changes can help control blood pressure in addition to medication. This includes eating a low-fat and salty diet, maintaining a healthy body weight, exercising for at least 30 minutes every day, not smoking, and drinking alcohol in moderation.
Warnings
Avoid using lisinopril while pregnant. This drug could harm an unborn child. If you become pregnant, stop using this medication and immediately tell your doctor.This medicine should not be used if you've ever suffered from angioedema. You should not take lisinopril for 36 hours after you have taken a medicine that contains sacubitril, such as Entresto.Do not take lisinopril with any medications that contain aliskiren, such as Amturnide or Tekturna.If you have kidney problems, it is important to avoid taking both lisinopril and aliskiren.
Similar/related drugs
Amlodipine, metoprolol, aspirin, losartan, furosemide, carvedilol, and hydrochlorothiazide
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to lisinopril or any other ACE inhibitor, such as benazepril or captopril, or if it is ramipril, quinapril, moexipril, fosinopril, enalapril, benazepril, moexipril, perindopril, or trandolapril,You should not take lisinopril for 36 hours after taking a medicine containing sacubitril, such as Entersto.Do not combine lisinopril and any other medication containing aliskiren, a blood pressure medicine.If you have had a severe allergic reaction (angioedema), do not take lisinopril.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that this medicine will be safe for you:
- Heart disease; heart problems, such as recent heart attacks.
- Low blood pressure
- Low white blood cell count
- Stomach pain;
- If you're on a diet low in salt,
- Diabetes;
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease (or dialysis if you have it)
If you have kidney problems, it is important to avoid taking both lisinopril and aliskiren.If you are pregnant, stop using the medication and immediately tell your doctor. Lisinopril may cause harm or even death to an unborn child if taken during the second or third trimester.Breastfeeding is not recommended.
How to take Lisinopril?
Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Read all the instructions and directions that come with your prescription. Sometimes your doctor will change the dose.Take lisinopril either with or without food.Use the measuring device provided to measure liquid medicines (not a spoon).You may require frequent blood tests to check your blood pressure.Inform your doctor of any planned surgery.If you experience persistent nausea, diarrhoea, or excessive sweating, call your doctor. Lisinopril can cause you to become dehydrated. This can cause very low blood pressure, an electrolyte imbalance, or renal failure.Even if you are feeling well, continue to take lisinopril if you have high blood pressure. High blood pressure can often be symptomless.Store away from moisture, heat, and humidity. Do not let it freeze.
Details on dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:
Initial dose: 5 mg orally, once daily; 10 mg orally
Maintenance dose: 20–40 mg orally, once daily.
The maximum dose is 80 mg taken orally, once per day.
Comments:
The initial dose for patients who are receiving diuretics is 5mg orally, once per day.
The 80 mg dose was used, but it did not seem to have a greater effect.
If lisinopril is not controlling blood pressure, you can add a small dose of diuretic (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide, 12.5mg). It may be possible, after the addition of diuretics, to reduce the dosage of lisinopril.
Adult dose for congestive heart failure:
Initial dose: 2.5 to 5 mg taken orally, once per day.
Maintain dose: Increase dosage as tolerated.
Maximum dose: 40mg orally, once daily.
Comments:
The diuretic dosage may need to be adjusted to minimise hypovolemia, which can contribute to hypotension. It is not necessary to stop lisinopril if hypotension occurs after the first dose.
Adult dose for myocardial infarction:
Initial dose: Orally 5 mg (within 24 hours of the onset of acute infarction).
Subsequent dosages: 5mg orally every 24 hours and 10mg orally every 48 hours.
Maintenance dose: oral, 10 mg once per day. The dose should be continued for at least six weeks.
Comments:
In the first three days following the infarction, patients with low systolic pressure (less or equal to 120 mmHg but greater than 100 mmHg) should begin treatment at 2.5mg. If hypotension persists (systolic pressure below 90 mmHg) for longer than one hour, the therapy should be discontinued.
Uses: Reduce mortality in acute myocardial ischemia
Adult dose for diabetic nephropathy:
Initial dose: 10–20 mg orally, once daily.
Maintenance dose: 20–40 mg orally, once daily.
Every 3 days, the dosage can be increased.
Comments:
Not an approved indication.
The usual dose for hypertension in older adults is:
Initial dose: 2.5 to 5 mg taken orally, once per day.
Maintaining dose: Increase dosage by 2.5 mg to five mg per day every one to two weeks.
Maximum dose: 40mg orally, once daily.
The usual paediatric dose for hypertension is:
Patients older than 6 years old:
Initial dose: 0.7 mg/kg, orally, once daily (maximum dose of 5 mg).
Maintaining dose: The dosage should be adjusted every 1 to 2 weeks according to the blood pressure response.
Paediatric patients have not received doses above 0.61 mg/kg (40 mg) or higher than this.
Comments:
This drug is not recommended for paediatric patients younger than 6 years of age or those with a glomerular filtering rate below 30 mL/min.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once.
What happens if I overdose?
For poison assistance, call 1-800-222-1222 or get immediate medical help.
What should be avoided?
You may get dizzy if you stand up quickly from a seated or lying position.Use potassium supplements and salt substitutes only if your doctor recommends them.Drink enough fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated or overheated during exercise or in hot weather. You should follow your doctor's advice on the amount and type of fluids to drink. Drinking too much liquid is as dangerous as not drinking enough.
Side effects of Lisinopril
If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical attention: stomach pain, severe hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling in your face, lips, or tongue.
Lisinopril may cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- Feeling lightheaded, like you might pass out.
- High potassium; nausea; weakness; chest pains; irregular heartbeats; and loss of mobility.
- Low counts of white blood cells; fever; sore throat and cough
- Kidney problems: swelling, urinating more, feeling tired, or short of breath
- Liver disorders: loss of appetite (upper right), stomach pain, fatigue, itching, and dark urine
Side effects of lisinopril include:
- Headache, dizziness;
- Low blood pressure and cough
- Chest pain.
There may be other side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report adverse effects, you can contact the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drug
Lisinopril may harm your kidneys if you are also taking certain medications for cancer or osteoporosis.
Tell your doctor about your other medications, including:
- Diuretics or "water pills" may raise blood potassium levels, such as triamterene or amiloride.
- Nsaids are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as aspirin (Advil), ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac (Indomethacin), meloxicam (Aleve), and celecoxib.
- Insulin, or diabetes medications
- Medicines to prevent transplant rejection, such as temsirolimus, sirolimus, or everolimus
- Heart or blood pressure medications
This list is incomplete. Other drugs, such as vitamins and herbs, may interact with lisinopril. The list is not exhaustive.
