Lisinopril (Zestril)

Brand Names:Prinivil, Qbrelis, Zestril

Lisinopril is a prescription drug used to treat high blood pressure in adults and kids who are at least 6 years old.

This medication is also prescribed to treat congestive heart failure or improve the chances of survival after a heart attack in adults.

Lisinopril is in a class of medicines called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. It works by decreasing chemicals that tighten blood vessels, lowering blood pressure so blood can flow more smoothly and the heart can pump blood better.

Lisinopril also has a favorable effect on how the heart remodels in heart failure or after a heart attack.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved lisinopril in 1988.

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uses

What is Lisinopril (Zestril) used for?

  • Congestive Heart Failure
  • Diabetic Nephropathy
  • Hypertension
  • Myocardial Infarction
  • Pre-eclampsia/Eclampsia
  • Heart Disease
  • Cardiovascular Disease
  • Hypertensive Congestive Heart Failure
  • Hypertensive Heart (w/ CHF) and Renal Disease
  • Hypertensive Heart (w/o CHF) and Renal Disease
  • Hypertensive Renal Disease
  • Hypertensive Retinopathy
  • Renovascular Hypertension
  • Hypertensive Encephalopathy
  • Hypertensive Heart Disease
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warnings

What is the most important information I should know about Lisinopril (Zestril)?

You should not use lisinopril if you are allergic to it or to any other ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor such as captopril, fosinopril, enalapril, benazepril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, or trandolapril.

You may also need to avoid taking lisinopril with aliskiren if you have kidney disease.

Stop using this medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Lisinopril can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you use the medicine during your second or third trimester.

Do not breastfeed.

Do not take lisinopril within 36 hours before or after taking medicine that contains sacubitril (such as Entresto).

If you have diabetes, do not take lisinopril with any medication that contains aliskiren (a blood pressure medicine).

Do not take lisinopril if you have a history of angioedema (severe allergic reaction).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • heart disease, heart problems such as a recent heart attack;
  • low blood pressure;
  • low white blood cell count;
  • stomach pain;
  • if you are on a low-salt diet;
  • diabetes;
  • liver disease; or
  • kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis).
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User Reviews & Rating

Overall rating for Lisinopril (Zestril)

Side Effects
2.3
Easy to Use
3.8
Effectiveness
3.1
Read Lisinopril (Zestril) Reviews
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Side Effects

What are the side effects of Lisinopril (Zestril)?

Get emergency medical help if you have severe stomach pain, hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. signs of an allergic reaction:

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
  • high blood potassium--nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement;
  • low white blood cell counts--fever, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough;
  • kidney problems--swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath; or
  • liver problems--loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
  • headache, dizziness;
  • low blood pressure, cough; or
  • chest pain.

Common side effects may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Can I take Lisinopril (Zestril) if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

Stop using this medicine and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Lisinopril can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you use the medicine during your second or third trimester.

Do not breastfeed.

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Interactions

What drugs and food should I avoid while taking Lisinopril (Zestril)?

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes, unless your doctor has told you to.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, in hot weather, or by not drinking enough fluids. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

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Dosage Guidelines & Tips

How to take Lisinopril (Zestril)?

Use Lisinopril (Zestril) exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may take lisinopril with or without food.

Measure with the supplied measuring device (not a kitchen spoon). liquid medicine

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often and you may need frequent blood tests.

Tell your doctor if you have a planned surgery.

If you have high blood pressure, High blood pressure often has no symptoms. keep using this medicine even if you feel well.

Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking lisinopril. This can lead to very low blood pressure, an electrolyte imbalance, or kidney failure.

Store tightly closed at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze.

What should I do if I missed a dose of Lisinopril (Zestril)?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. take two doses at one time. Do not

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Overdose Signs

What happens if I overdose on Lisinopril (Zestril)?

If you think you or someone else may have overdosed on: Lisinopril (Zestril),  call your doctor or the Poison Control center
(800) 222-1222
If someone collapses or isn't breathing after taking Lisinopril (Zestril), call 911
911
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What to Expect

Lisinopril starts to lower blood pressure within a few hours after you take it, but it may take a few weeks for you to see the full effects.

If you’re using lisinopril for heart failure, it could take weeks or months before you notice improved symptoms.

People who take lisinopril after a heart attack may not have any symptoms and may not feel different when using this medicine. It’s important to keep taking lisinopril, even if you don’t notice any changes.

If you have high blood pressure and heart failure, you’ll likely take lisinopril for a long time, possibly even for the rest of your life.

After a heart attack, lisinopril is usually prescribed for at least six weeks.

 
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Additional Dosage Information

Your lisinopril dosage will depend on your medical issues and your blood pressure levels. Your doctor will check your levels first.

Depending on your condition, the usual starting dose is between 2.5 milligrams (mg) and 10 mg. Typically, doctors start patients on a lower dose and gradually increase it over a period of a few weeks.

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Secondary Uses

Sometimes, medicines like lisinopril are used for conditions they aren’t approved for. This is known as an “off-label” use.

Lisinopril may play a role in helping the following medical conditions:

  • Heart disease
  • Diabetes
  • Diabetic retinopathy
  • Diabetic kidney disease
  • Migraines
  • Infertility in men
  • Mitral valve regurgitation
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Images

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Medical Disclaimer

Drugs A-Z provides drug information from Everyday Health and our partners, as well as ratings from our members, all in one place. Cerner Multum™ provides the data within some of the Overview, Uses, Warnings, Side Effects, Pregnancy, Interactions, Dosage, Overdose, and Images sections. The information within all other sections is proprietary to Everyday Health.