This article is not medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or use the medication guide.

Lisinopril Information

What is Lisinopril?

Lisinopril is a generic drug used to treat high blood pressure in adults and children 6 years of age and older. This drug works by lowering high blood pressure, which helps prevent heart attacks, stroke, and kidney problems.

If you’ve recently suffered a heart attack, Lisinopril may be prescribed in order to avoid future attacks and strokes. This drug will also help in slowing down diabetes-related kidney disease.

Lisinopril is available for prescription only. This medication is classified as an ACE (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) inhibitor. This class of drugs is used mainly to treat high blood pressure and lower the risk of heart failure. The drug works by relaxing the blood vessels, which leads to decreased blood volume and decreased oxygen demand by the heart.

Lisinopril is the generic form of another brand-name drug called Zestril. It was first approved in 1987, and it’s available in other names, such as;

• Prinivil
• Qbreli

Proper use of Lisinopril

Lisinopril is available in tablet form only. It’s not commercially available in syrup dosage, but you can prepare an oral solution for kids by mixing 2 mg/ml. Lisinopril tablets come in the following strengths;

• 2.5 mg
• 5 mg
• 10 mg
• 20 mg
• 30 mg
• 40 mg

Lisinopril is safe for use by both adults and children 6 years of age and above. Your doctor will direct the ideal dosage depending on your symptoms and how you respond to treatment. That’s to say that the dosage should be individualized and not shared.

You can take Lisinopril (Zestril generic) before or after a meal. Always take the medicine as directed by your doctor or as indicated in the patient information leaflet. Usually, you may be advised to start Lisinopril medication with a low dosage and gradually increase the subsequent doses to avoid adverse Lisinopril side effects.

If you’re using blood pressure medication Lisinopril, it may take up to 4 weeks before you realize the benefits. Keep on taking the drug and don’t stop, lower, or increase the dosage without your doctor’s direction.

When using Lisinopril blood pressure medicine, it’s necessary to have your blood checked regularly to ensure that your kidneys are functioning correctly.

If you have an upcoming surgery, please explain to your doctor that you’re taking Lisinopril. It might be necessary to stop medication sometime before the surgery.

Lisinopril Dosing

When prescribing Lisinopril, your doctor will determine the right dosage depending on what you’re being treated for and symptoms. For kids, their weight is a crucial determinant too. What we’ve listed here are the usual dosages. You should follow your doctor’s directions.

Adults

Starting dose: 10 mg once per day. Subsequent treatments 5 mg once per day (Max dose per day is 80 mg).

Geriatrics

Starting dose: 2.5-5 mg once per day. Maintenance dosage 2.5-5 mg given at 1-2 weeks interval. Lisinopril max dose for geriatrics is 40 mg per day.

Pediatrics (6 years and older)

Starting dose: 0.07 mg/kg (Max initial dose 5 mg). Your doctor will recommend the ideal maintenance dosage depending on the blood pressure response after week 1.

What to do if you’ve missed Lisinopril dosage

If you’re taking the medication once, take the missed dose once you remember throughout the day. If you’re taking it twice, you can take the missed dose provided it’s not almost time for the second dose. If it’s time for your second dose already, skip the missed dose and continue with the therapy as usual. Do not double dose to make up for a missed dose.

Uses- what is Lisinopril used for?

Lisinopril is used to treat;

• High blood pressure (Hypertension)
• Heart attack
• Heart failure

Before using Lisinopril

Before taking this drug, your doctor will help you weigh the benefits against the risks. Here are some vital considerations if you’re planning to start Lisinopril medication:

Allergies: allergic reaction to Lisinopril is rare for most people. However, doctors warn patients who use ACE inhibitors to beware of a rare but serious side effect called oral allergy syndrome. This syndrome is characterized by swollen lips, tongue, and throat after taking certain fruits, including apples.

Lisinopril interactions with other drugs: Lisinopril interacts with over 350 other drugs. The interaction may be severe, moderate, or minor. Lisinopril should not be used with drugs that cause severe interactions. For drugs that cause moderate and minor interactions, your doctor will advise you on how to space the dosages.

Drugs with severe interactions with Lisinopril

• Iosartan
• Sacubitril
• Aliskiren

Drugs with moderate interactions with Lisinopril

• Aspirin
• Aspir 81
• Asprin low strength
• Ibuprofen
• Lasix
• Lantu
• Norco

Drugs with mild interactions with Lisinopril

• Amlodipine

This list does not include all the drugs that interact with Lisinopril. Tell your doctor/pharmacist about other drugs that you’re taking for proper guidance.

Special conditions

Lisinopril and pregnancy: in the USA, Lisinopril is not recommended during pregnancy unless there’s no other alternative. This drug is contraindicated in Australia and the UK. Studies show that exposure to ACE inhibitors, especially in the second and third trimesters increases the risk of fetal malformations.

Lisinopril when breastfeeding: there is no enough information on the safety of Lisinopril when breastfeeding. For that reason, it’s recommended to consider other safer high blood pressure medications.

Lisinopril for pediatrics: FDA approves the use of Lisinopril to treat High Blood Pressure among children who are 6 years old and above.

Lisinopril Warnings

• The efficacy and safety of this drug among children below 6 years of age has not yet been established.
• Before taking Lisinopril (Prinivil generic), tell your doctor whether you have any of the following medical problems; Angioedema, Diabetes, kidney problems, liver disease, heart problems, and electrolyte imbalance.
• Lisinopril interacts severely with certain drugs, including Iosartan, Sacubitril, and Aliskiren. Tell your doctor if you’re taking these or any other drugs.
• Lisinopril is contraindicated during pregnancy. Ask your doctor for more information or other possible alternatives.
• It’s not clear whether Lisinopril gets into breastmilk. If you’re breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before taking this drug.

Lisinopril Common Side Effects

The common side effects of Lisinopril medication, include;

• Persistent cough
• Diarrhea
• Dizzine
• Headache
• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Rash
• Nausea
• Low blood pressure
• Psoriasi
• High potassium level

Proper Storage of Lisinopril

Store Lisinopril in its original package in a closed container. It should be stored at room temperature, away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture. Keep from freezing. For oral liquid Lisinopril, store below room temperature for 4 weeks maximum. Dispose of all unused drugs.

Lisinopril Price/Cost

Lisinopril is generally inexpensive compared to other ACE inhibitors. Without Lisinopril coupon, the price of this drug ranges between $7 and $36 for a 30-count of Lisinopril 10 mg tablet. The price of Lisinopril 30 mg starts from $18 for a 30-count supply. With the best Lisinopril coupon, you could get a 30-tablet dose of 30 mg Lisinopril at as low as $4. Consider the coupons above for the best price for Lisinopril.

Lisinopril Mechanism of Action

Lisinopril belongs to a class of drugs called Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. These drugs block the performance of ACE in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). As a result, the RAAS is not able to convert Angiotensin 1 into Angiotensin 2. Angiotensin 2 is an important hormone in the regulation of blood pressure. It causes vasoconstriction leading to high blood pressure. It also stimulates the release of aldosterone, which regulates blood pressure by regulating salt and water.

By inhibiting the production of Angiotensin 2, Lisinopril causes the blood vessels to relax leading to a decrease in blood pressure. Also, the reduction of Angiotensin hormones means a decrease in the release in aldosterone production. This allows your kidneys to excrete excess sodium and water through urine. All of this leads to low blood pressure.