Heart Health High Blood Pressure Treatment What to Know About Lisinopril (Prinivil and Zestril) An ACE Inhibitor Used to Treat Hypertension, Heart Failure, and Heart Attack By Sherry Christiansen Sherry Christiansen Sherry Christiansen is a medical writer with a healthcare background. She has worked in the hospital setting and collaborated on Alzheimer's research. Learn about our editorial process Updated on October 26, 2022 Medically reviewed by Mark L. Meyer, MD, JD Medically reviewed by Mark L. Meyer, MD, JD Mark Meyer, MD, JD, is a board-certified physician who specializes in diagnostic and preventative cardiology. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Uses of Lisinopril Before Taking Lisinopril Dosage Lisinopril Side Effects Warnings and Interactions Frequently Asked Questions Lisinopril is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart failure. It also improves survival when it is taken after a recent heart attack or stroke. Known by the brand names Prinivil and Zestril, lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. ACE inhibitors cause the blood vessels to dilate (widen), lowering blood pressure. These medications block the activity of ACE, resulting in reduced angiotensin II, which acts directly on the blood vessels. Lisinopril is not the right drug for everyone, such as people with kidney failure or a history of angioedema. This article discusses lisinopril and why it is prescribed for certain conditions. It explains the main side effects and the dangers of taking lisinopril, as well as possible drug interactions. Lisinopril Warning and Pregnancy People who are pregnant should not take lisinopril. ACE inhibitors, such as lisinopril, can cause injury or even death to the developing fetus during the second or third trimester of pregnancy. Hailshadow / Getty Images Uses of Lisinopril The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved lisinopril for the treatment of: Heart failure Hypertension Acute (sudden and severe) myocardial infarction (heart attack) High blood pressure in children aged 6 and older Is Lisinopril a Diuretic? The Facts You Need to Know Off-Label Uses Lisinopril is sometimes used off-label for the treatment of conditions not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Off-label uses for lisinopril include: Migraine headache prevention Myocardial fibrosis Infertility Diabetic retinopathy, an eye condition caused by diabetes Lisinopril is sometimes given for the treatment of kidney disease. There have been some clinical research studies to back the effectiveness of lisinopril for some types of kidney disease, such as proteinuric kidney disease caused by high amounts of protein in the urine. However, more studies are needed before the drug will be considered a mainstream medication for the treatment of this condition. Proteinuria (Protein in Urine) Before Taking Lisinopril Before giving you a prescription for lisinopril, your healthcare provider will evaluate your blood pressure readings and may do some blood tests to check your kidney function. Your blood potassium level may be checked as well because lisinopril can raise potassium levels. Before taking lisinopril be sure to tell your healthcare provider if: You are taking any other prescription medications, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, vitamins, supplements, or any other type of drugsYou are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeedingYou have kidney diseaseYou have heart problemsYou have been diagnosed with low blood pressureYou are scheduled for any type of major surgeryYou have had a recent bout of diarrhea or vomitingYou are on a special diet, such as a low sodium dietYou have had an allergic reaction to lisinoprilYou plan to have a desensitization treatment for allergies Lisinopril and Diabetes Lisinopril may impact your blood sugar, so you may need to check your level more frequently when taking this medication. If you have diabetes, make sure to speak with your healthcare provider. Other ACE Inhibitors Other ACE inhibitors include: Lotensin (benazepril) Capoten (captopril) Vasotec (enalapril) Monopril (fosinopril) Aceon (perindopril) Accupril (quinapril) Altace (ramipril) Mavik (trandolapril) Medications Used to Treat High Blood Pressure Lisinopril Dosage Lisinopril is available as an oral (by mouth) tablet as well as a liquid solution. The oral tablets are available in 2.5 milligram (mg) tablets, as well as 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg tablets. Lisinopril HCTZ is a combination blood pressure medication that includes hydrochlorothiazide to help make it more effective. The liquid form of lisinopril must be special ordered by your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will prescribe the dosage of lisinopril that is right for you. Always take lisinopril exactly as instructed by your prescribing healthcare provider. Average Dosage The average starting dosage of lisinopril is between 2.5 mg and 10 mg. It is usually to be taken only once per day. According to the FDA, lisinopril should be started at a low dosage and increased gradually over a time span of several weeks. The starting dose depends on the type of medical treatment you are taking lisinopril for, such as: High blood pressure: 10 mg one time per dayRecent heart attack: 5 mg one time per dayHeart failure: 5 mg one time per day The maximum dosage of lisinopril is 80 mg one time per day. Dosages are lower for children and depend on many factors such as the medical condition for which it's prescribed, the child’s age, their weight, and more. How Long Does It Take Lisinopril to Work? How To Take and Store How To Take Lisinopril Lisinopril can be taken with food or on its own. Do not crush the tablet; swallow it whole with liquid. If you were prescribed the liquid form, you’ll receive a syringe to help you measure the precise dosage. If you are unsure about how to measure your dosage, be sure to talk to your nurse, the pharmacist, or another healthcare provider. Proper Measuring Devices Make sure you are using a proper measuring device for the liquid form of lisinopril. Do not measure it in a regular household measuring tool such as a teaspoon. How To Store Lisinopril Storage recommendations for lisinopril include: Keep it at room temperatureKeep it out of the reach of small childrenProtect the bottle from getting wetKeep the lid tightly closedThrow away any unused tablets or liquid once it has reached its expiration date Lisinopril Side Effects Lisinopril side effects include those commonly experienced and those that are more rare. Common Common side effects of lisinopril that do not usually require immediate medical attention (unless they do not go away or are causing discomfort) include: A change in the perception of tasteA cough (sometimes referred to as lisinopril cough)DizzinessLight sensitivityA headacheA feverAnxiety If your anxiety is severe or does not subside after taking lisinopril for a short time, you should tell your healthcare provider. Abruptly stopping lisinopril suddenly can cause or worsen lisinopril-associated anxiety. Abruptly discontinuing lisinopril can also cause tachycardia (a fast heart rate) and sweating. What Is a Lisinopril Cough? Severe Severe side effects, that should be reported to your healthcare provider right away, include: Dysuria: Problems passing urine, which could be a sign of kidney problems. Signs of increased potassium levels: Weakness in the muscles, chest pain, or irregular heart rate. Signs of liver problems: Flu-like symptoms, light-colored stools, dark urine, general malaise, upper right abdominal pain, nausea, yellowing of the skin or in the whites of the eyes. Dizziness, feeling faint, lightheadedness, or falling: These are signs of low blood pressure. Nausea and vomiting An allergic reaction: Including symptoms such as a rash, swelling in the face, lips, throat, hand, feet, or tongue Difficulty breathing This list may not describe every possible side effect of lisinopril. If you experience any other side effects, be sure to contact your healthcare provider. You can also report side effects to the FDA by calling 1-800-FDA-1088. Lisinopril Warnings and Interactions Do not stand or sit up suddenly after taking lisinopril, particularly if you are a senior, as this could increase your risk of falls. Do not use heavy machinery or perform any type of activity that requires mental alertness. Lisinopril should be used with caution in some conditions, including: Hyperkalemia (high potassium levels): ACE inhibitors can raise blood potassium levels African ancestry: Some studies have found that people of African ancestry do not respond well to ACE inhibitors. This population may be more at risk for angioedema, a potentially fatal complication of the drug. Note, these do not represent all of the warnings for taking lisinopril; be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about any other precautions or warnings linked with ACE inhibitors. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should not take lisinopril. People with certain medical conditions also should not take lisinopril, including those with: A history of angioedemaBilateral renal artery stenosisKidney failure When Should You Not Take Lisinopril? If you become pregnant, you need to talk to your healthcare provider about how to discontinue lisinopril as soon as possible. If you are on lisinopril and planning to become pregnant, you should discuss medication changes before you conceive. For other medical conditions, follow your healthcare provider's instructions. Precautions and Contraindications Medications that can interact with lisinopril include: Hymenoptera venom (venom from insects used to treat immune-related or inflammatory disease)Aliskiren, another type of high blood pressure medicationSome diabetic medicationsPotassium supplementsSalt substituteNSAIDs, which should be taken with caution This list of medications is not all-inclusive, so be sure to provide your healthcare provider with a list of every type of medication you are taking, including the dosage and when you take them. Don’t forget to include over-the-counter medications, herbal and natural supplements (including vitamins), and any other type of medication you take when discussing lisinopril with your healthcare provider. A Word From Verywell Lisinopril and other ACE inhibitors can be very effective in treating high blood pressure, heart failure, and other conditions in some people. However, it does cause common side effects, like the lisinopril cough. Other side effects may be more severe. Contact your healthcare provider if these symptoms continue or get worse while taking lisinopril. Frequently Asked Questions Is Lisinopril a beta-blocker? Lisinopril is not a beta-blocker. Beta-blockers are another medication used to lower blood pressure. One major difference between lisinopril and beta-blockers is that beta-blockers are effective in treating angina (chest pain). What is Lisinopril prescribed for? Lisinopril is used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, and heart attack. It also may be used off-label for conditions including migraine headaches. 5 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Food and Drug Administration. Zestril (lisinopril). U.S. National Library of Medicine. Safety study of lisinopril in children and adolescents with a kidney transplant (PTN_LISINO). Sadat‐Ebrahimi S, Parnianfard N, Vahed N, et al. An evidence‐based systematic review of the off‐label uses of lisinopril. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2018;84(11):2502-2521.doi:10.1111/bcp.13705 Weisman DS, Arnouk N, Asghar MB, et al. ACE inhibitor angioedema: characterization and treatment versus non-ACE angioedema in acute hospitalized patients. Journal of Community Hospital Internal Medicine Perspectives. 2020;10(1):16-18.doi:10.1080/20009666.2020.1711641 UpToDate. Patient education: Medications for angina (Beyond the Basics). By Sherry Christiansen Sherry Christiansen is a medical writer with a healthcare background. 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