Lisinopril Side Effects: What Are They?

One hundred million American adults are struggling to manage their high blood pressure, and if you’re one of them, you’ve likely been told by your doctor that it's time to make some significant lifestyle changes, like eating right and exercising more. For some people, lifestyle changes are enough to lower blood pressure on their own, but others may require treatment with medication like an ACE inhibitor or beta-blocker in addition to lifestyle changes.  High blood pressure is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease-related deaths in the United States and is considered a “silent killer” because many people have no symptoms and do not know they have high blood pressure until it is too late. If you’re considering taking lisinopril in conjunction with living a healthy lifestyle to manage your high blood pressure, here’s what you need to know.
 

Share This Post

One hundred million American adults are struggling to manage their high blood pressure, and if you’re one of them, you’ve likely been told by your doctor that it’s time to make some significant lifestyle changes, like eating right and exercising more.

For some people, lifestyle changes are enough to lower blood pressure on their own, but others may require treatment with medication like an ACE inhibitor or beta-blocker in addition to lifestyle changes.

High blood pressure is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease-related deaths in the United States and is considered a “silent killer” because many people have no symptoms and do not know they have high blood pressure until it is too late.

If you’re considering taking lisinopril in conjunction with living a healthy lifestyle to manage your high blood pressure, here’s what you need to know.

What Is Lisinopril?

Lisinopril, manufactured under the brand names Zestril and Prinivil, belongs to a class of medications called ACE inhibitors. Lisinopril was first approved for medical use in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1987.

ACE inhibitors work by reducing the levels of angiotensin II and inhibiting its effects, which allows the blood vessels to widen and relax.

As the blood vessels widen, blood flows through more easily and at reduced pressure. ACE inhibitors also reduce the amount of water your body retains, which also lowers blood pressure.

What Is Lisinopril Used to Treat?

Lisinopril is primarily used to treat high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.

It is also used to treat congestive heart failure or heart disease and can be used to treat patients after a heart attack, helping to improve survival rates.

When given to a patient who has suffered a heart attack, lisinopril has been shown to reduce the risk of death or another heart attack when administered immediately after a heart attack. 

High blood pressure

Patients are considered to have high blood pressure when your blood consistently pushes against the walls of your blood vessels too forcefully for an extended period of time.

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is considered dangerous because it increases the workload of the heart and blood vessels.

Over time, the blood vessels and heart work less efficiently and have to work harder to provide the tissues and organs with the blood they need to function.

If not treated or reduced, high blood pressure can cause a narrowing of the blood vessels by creating microtears in the walls of the arteries.

When narrowing occurs, your blood is further prevented from reaching the different areas of the body and your blood pressure gets even higher.

High blood pressure can be caused by any number of factors, including living an unhealthy lifestyle, medications, medical conditions, and genetics.

About 95 percent of high blood pressure cases have no specific cause and are influenced primarily by lifestyle choices.

Congestive heart failure

Congestive heart failure is a chronic condition that gets worse over time.

During congestive heart failure, the pumping ability of your heart muscles is affected by fluid building up around the heart, which causes it to pump less efficiently.

During congestive heart failure, your ventricles, which pump blood to the organs and tissues, are not able to pump enough blood to the different parts of the body.

This causes blood and other fluids to back up inside the lungs, abdomen, liver, and lower body, which can be life-threatening. There are four different stages of congestive heart failure, including:

  • Class I: No symptoms are experienced, and the condition can be managed through medication, lifestyle changes, and monitoring.
  • Class II: Experience shortness of breath, fatigue, and heart palpitations during normal physical activity, but feel fine during rest. The condition can still be managed through medication, lifestyle changes, and monitoring.
  • Class III: Even mild physical activity can cause shortness of breath, fatigue, and heart palpitations, but still feel ok at rest. Treatment options are limited and can be complex.
  • Class IV: Symptoms are present even at rest, and physical activity is impossible. No remaining treatment options are available. 

How Does Lisinopril Work?

Like other medications in its class, lisinopril works by blocking or diminishing the effects of an enzyme called an angiotensin-converting enzyme, or ACE.

ACE helps to produce angiotensin II, which is a powerful substance that narrows the arteries, which can contribute to high blood pressure.

ACE also stimulates the release of a hormone called aldosterone that is produced by the adrenal glands and helps to increase blood pressure.

ACE inhibitors like lisinopril open the arteries back up and reduce how hard the heart must work in order to get blood to the different parts of the body, which helps to reduce blood pressure.

What Is the Cost of Lisinopril?

Compared to its brand name counterpart, Zestril, lisinopril is highly affordable.

Manufacturers coupons and patient assistance programs may be available for the brand name version of the drug information through the manufacturer’s website. 

Approximate Costs of Zestril and Lisinopril

Zestril
Lisinopril

Per Pill
30 Day Supply
Per Pill
30 Day Supply
2.5 mg oral tablet
$13.98
$419.40
$0.41
$12.42
5 mg oral tablet
$13.98
$419.40
$0.52
$15.54
10 mg oral tablet
$13.98
$419.40
$0.42
$12.50
20 mg oral tablet
$13.98
$419.40
$0.44
$13.10
30 mg oral tablet
$13.98
$419.40
$0.54
$16.28
40 mg oral tablet
$13.98
$419.40
$0.55
$16.41

What Are the Benefits of Lisinopril?

Lisinopril has been around since the 1980s and has developed a reputation as a reliable, effective drug for treating high blood pressure and heart failure.

Use of lisinopril has several benefits:

  • Lisinopril can be used to treat high blood pressure in children as young as six.
  • The medication is effective at reducing the signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure.
  • Taking lisinopril within 24 hours of a myocardial infarction (heart attack) can increase a patient’s odds of survival.
  • Studies have shown that mitral valve regurgitation, a condition that allows blood to flow backward into the heart, causing shortness of breath and lightheadedness, can be improved by taking lisinopril.
  • Patients taking lisinopril have been shown to have a significantly lower risk of developing diabetes than patients who take diuretic blood pressure medications.
  • Lisinopril can help prevent kidney disease in people with diabetes.
  • People with diabetes who take lisinopril see their diabetic retinopathy progression slowed by 50 percent compared to patients who do not take it.
  • About half of men with a low sperm count see their sperm count return to normal while taking lisinopril.
  • Migraine sufferers experience 20 percent fewer headache hours, 21 percent fewer migraine days, and a 20 percent reduction in the severity of their headaches when taking lisinopril.
  • Lisinopril is available in a generic form and is highly affordable and accessible for most patients.

Are There Any Risks Associated with Lisinopril?

Although there are many benefits associated with lisinopril, as listed above, taking the medication also poses some risks.

Risks associated with lisinopril include:
Lisinopril can adversely affect kidney function, so all patients, regardless of their current kidney health, should have their kidney function and potassium levels monitored periodically while taking lisinopril.

You may need to take potassium supplements if your levels are low. 

People of African-American descent and those who have already experienced angioedema (swelling of the facial areas and airways) unrelated to ACE inhibitor administration are considered more likely to experience an allergic reaction to lisinopril.

Lisinopril can cause a dry, persistent cough that bothers some people so much that they may decide to stop taking the medication.

Drinking alcohol while taking lisinopril can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects

Lisinopril can decrease your ability to sweat, making you more prone to heatstroke while exercising, in hot weather, or when dehydrated.

Use caution to prevent becoming overheated or dehydrated while taking lisinopril.

What Dose of Lisinopril Do I Take?

The recommended dosage for lisinopril will depend on the condition being treated, the age of the patient, and several other factors.

To treat hypertension in adults, doctors will typically start patients out on a dose of 10 mg taken once per day if the patient is not already taking a diuretic.

Patients who are already taking a diuretic such as hydrochlorothiazide will start on a dosage of 5 mg taken once per day.

A maintenance dose of lisinopril for hypertension in adults is about 20 to 40 mg orally once per day; your doctor will increase your dose to the level needed to control your symptoms.

The maximum recommended dose for the treatment of adult hypertension is 80 mg once per day. Children will take a lower dose, usually starting at 5 mg taken once per day and adjusted according to blood pressure response.

The maximum dose for treating hypertension in children is 40 mg per day.
Treatment for congestive heart failure begins at an initial dose of 2.5 mg to 5 mg once per day and should be increased by your doctor as tolerated.

The maximum dosage of lisinopril for the treatment of congestive heart failure is 40 mg once per day.
Adults who have suffered a heart attack event should receive a 5 mg dose of lisinopril within 24 hours of the onset of the heart attack.

An additional 5 mg will be given 24 hours later, with an additional 10 mg given 48 hours later. Patients are then put on a maintenance dose of 10 mg per day, with treatment lasting at least 6 weeks.

Overall, be sure to follow the medical advice of your doctor including informing them about any missed doses and storing the medication at room temperature. 

What Are the Side Effects of Lisinopril?

Side effects associated with lisinopril are categorized as either common, less common, or rare.

Common side effects associated with lisinopril that usually do not need medical attention include:

Rare, but possible side effects of lisinopril that usually do not need medical attention include:

  • Acid or sour stomach
  • Belching
  • Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, or tingling feelings
  • A feeling of constant movement of surroundings or self
  • Heartburn
  • Indigestion
  • Muscle cramps
  • Spinning sensation
  • Stomach discomfort or upset
  • Swelling

Some side effects of lisinopril do require medical attention. Check with your health care provider immediately if you experience any of the following serious side effects while taking lisinopril:

  • Blurred vision
  • Cloudy urine
  • Confusion
  • A decrease in urine output
  • A decrease in urine concentration
  • Unusual fatigue or weakness
  • Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when moving from lying down or sitting to standing
  • Sweating
  • Abdominal or stomach pain
  • Body aches or pain
  • Chest pain
  • Chills
  • Common cold
  • Dry cough
  • Diarrhea
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Ear congestion
  • Fever 
  • Headache
  • Loss of voice
  • Nasal congestion
  • Nausea
  • Runny Nose
  • Sneezing 
  • Sore throat
  • Vomiting
  • Arm, back or jaw pain
  • Chest discomfort, tightness, or heaviness
  • Fast or irregular heartbeat
  • Joint pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Muscle aches and pains
  • Shivering
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Trouble breathing

Is Lisinopril Safe for Women Who Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding?

Lisinopril is not considered safe for pregnant women when taken during the second or third trimester of pregnancy.

Women who find out they are pregnant should speak to their health care professional immediately about switching to another blood pressure medication, as stopping lisinopril abruptly can cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure, endangering the pregnancy.

When taken during the second or third trimesters of pregnancy, lisinopril can cause low levels of amniotic fluid, leading to poor lung and skull development, growth restriction, fetal abnormalities, low blood pressure, and kidney failure in the unborn baby. 

Not enough research has been done about the effects of lisinopril on nursing infants to determine conclusively if the medication is safe for use by breastfeeding mothers as it may pass through breast milk.

It is recommended that nursing mothers use a medication that has more conclusive studies.

Who Should Not Take Lisinopril?

If you are allergic to lisinopril or other ACE inhibitors,  you should not take lisinopril.

It’s important to make your doctor aware of your complete medical history and any prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs that you currently take, particularly if you have a history of any of the following:

  • Angioedema (swelling of the face/lips tongue/throat)
  • Blood filtering procedures, including LDL apheresis and dialysis
  • High levels of potassium in the blood
  • Organ transplant
  • Low levels of sodium in the blood
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  • Kidney problems or liver problems or disease
  • Decreased blood volume

Taking lisinopril can make you feel dizzy or drowsy.

The use of alcohol or marijuana can increase these feelings because of drug interactions. You should not drive or do anything that requires alertness until you know how lisinopril affects you. 

References, Studies and Sources:

heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure/warning-signs-of-heart-failure

healthline.com/health/how-to-raise-blood-pressure

medically reviewed and fact checked

We are committed to providing our readers with only trusted resources and science-based studies with regards to medication and health information. 

Disclaimer: This general information is not intended to diagnose any medical condition or to replace your healthcare professional. If you suspect medical problems or need medical help or advice, please talk with your healthcare professional.

Share This Post

Pharmacists.org Discount Club

Get Started for $1.

  • Cheapest cash pay option at your retail pharmacy
  • 1,000s of drugs below $10.00 that can beat your co-pay
  • Start for $1 for your first month. Cancel anytime. 
  • Tell us your meds, we tell you the cheapest options.

Popular Destinations

Recent Articles

doctor checking phone for prescription

Amlodipine side effects: What are they?

Over 108 million people, or 45 percent of American adults, are currently dealing with hypertension, or high blood pressure, whether they know it or not. Because high blood pressure doesn’t always cause symptoms and just so happens to be the most common cause of cardiovascular disease-related deaths in the United States, it’s known as the “silent killer” – many people have no idea they are affected until it’s too late. Lifestyle factors like poor diet, high-stress levels, not getting enough exercise, and not getting enough sleep all play a role in causing high blood pressure, but the condition can also be caused by other factors, such as medical conditions and certain medications. Lifestyle changes won’t control high blood pressure for everyone, and although they’re an important first step, sometimes treatment with medication is necessary.  One medication commonly prescribed to treat high blood pressure is amlodipine.

Read More »
doctor

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

If you’re one of the one in two Americans struggling to keep their blood pressure at a manageable level, you may be looking for more ways to manage your condition. High blood pressure is sometimes called the “silent killer” because it produces few symptoms but is a major contributor to many of the leading causes of death, including heart disease and stroke. Before we can talk about how to treat hypertension, or high blood pressure, it’s important to understand what causes high blood pressure, what types of problems it can cause in our bodies, and what our blood pressure goals should be.

Read More »
image of pills

What Is Losartan Potassium?

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimatesthat about 45 percent of American adults, or 108 million people, currently suffer from high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. High blood pressure is influenced by a number of factors, including diet, activity level, stress, medications, and medical conditions, and doctors generally advise hypertensive patients to make serious lifestyle changes, like eating right and exercising more. Lifestyle changes will be effective in reducing or eliminating high blood pressure for many people, but others might need additional treatment in the form of blood pressure medication to bring their condition under control. Regardless of how patients get their high blood pressure under control, doing so is critical; high blood pressure is known as the “silent killer” because it is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease-related deaths in the United States, and many people are unaware that they have high blood pressure until it is too late. If your doctor has recommended taking losartan potassium in conjunction with making lifestyle changes to control your high blood pressure, here’s what you need to know about the medication.

Read More »

What is Normal Blood Pressure?

According to the American Heart Association, nearly one in two American adults, or about 103 million people, suffer from high blood pressure. This “silent killer” has been implicated in a number of serious conditions, including heart disease and stroke. High blood pressure comes with a lot of risk factors and is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease-related deaths in the United States such as heart attacks, and a 38 percent increase in high blood pressure-related deaths occurred between 2005 and 2015. Maybe you want to get your high blood pressure back to normal, but you’re not even sure what normal blood pressure even is, much less how to get there. Measuring blood pressure can be a bit confusing at first before you understand where the readings come from.

Read More »

Share On:

More To Explore

What Is Lisinopril Used For?

Lisinopril is a first-line treatment drug recommended for hypertension, but it also has other less well-known uses.

Amlodipine side effects: What are they?

Over 108 million people, or 45 percent of American adults, are currently dealing with hypertension, or high blood pressure, whether they know it or

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

If you’re one of the one in two Americans struggling to keep their blood pressure at a manageable level, you may be looking for

What Is Losartan Potassium?

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimatesthat about 45 percent of American adults, or 108 million people, currently suffer from high blood pressure, also

What is Normal Blood Pressure?

According to the American Heart Association, nearly one in two American adults, or about 103 million people, suffer from high blood pressure. This “silent

What Is Amlodipine?

Nearly half of American adults (108 million people, or 45 percent of the adult population) is currently struggling with hypertension, or high blood pressure.

Losartan Potassium Side Effects: What Are They?

If you’re one of the 108 million American adults (about 45 percent of the adult population) currently suffering from high blood pressure, you’re definitely

Can a Garlic Supplement Prevent Heart Disease?

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America due to many different risk factors. The use of garlic supplementation may help reduce

What is Metoprolol tartrate?

If you’re one of the more than 100 million American adults struggling to manage your high blood pressure, your doctor may have spoken to

Does Aspirin Lower Blood Pressure?

Aspirin, a common medication that is known to reduce the risk of heart attack, has been studied to see whether or not it might

When To Take Lisinopril

Need to know when to take lisinopril? Learn why it’s important to take it at the right time of day.

Does Timing Matter for Blood Pressure Medications?

Uncontrolled blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major burden in the United States that contributes to high heart disease rates, heart attacks, and stroke.

Can Potassium Help Manage High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects about half of all adults living in the United States. Preventing and controlling blood pressure through healthy habits

What are Foods to Avoid with High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure is heavily influenced by a number of lifestyle factors, which means there are lots of different ways to manage your condition.

What is Lisinopril?

Today, one of the first-line treatments for high blood pressure is lisinopril. Exactly what is lisinopril and what is it used for?

Losartan Potassium Side Effects: What Are They?

Losartan potassium is a commonly prescribed high blood pressure medication that can help lower high blood pressure in hypertensive patients when used in conjunction

How to lower your blood pressure?

Picture yourself and two coworkers. You’re all pretty healthy, right? Appearances can be deceiving. The American Heart Association estimates that about 103 million people,

How Does Lisinopril work?

Drugs within all of these classes are commonly prescribed for cardiovascular problems and some of these names might be familiar to you. Each of

What is Low Blood Pressure?

We often hear about the dangers of high blood pressure, but is it possible for your blood pressure to be too low? With high

What does Amlodipine do?

About 45 percent of the American adult population, or 108 million people, struggle with hypertension, or high blood pressure. This “silent killer” is so

What Is the Best Time to Take Amlodipine?

High blood pressure is the “silent killer” in America, and increasing numbers of people are affected by the condition each year. About 45 percent

What does Losartan potassium do?

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), about 45 percent of American adults, or 108 million people, currently suffer from high blood