What You Need to Know About Lisinopril
Lisinopril is used alone or together with other medicines to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is also frequently used after a patient has suffered a heart attack or stroke. If you are prescribed Lisinopril, you will want to be sure that your doctor knows all of the other medications that you are taking. Adverse interactions between medications could have serious consequences.
What is Lisinopril?
Lisinopril is in a class of medications called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. It works by decreasing certain chemicals that tighten the blood vessels so blood flows more smoothly and the heart can pump blood more efficiently. This lowers blood pressure and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart.1
Why is it important for my doctor to know about my other medications?
Although certain medicines should never be used together at all, certain cases may require that your doctor decide that the risk of using two different medicines together is worth it for the benefits that you may experience. It’s important for your doctor to know about all your medications so that you can be treated properly, and so that you can be warned to watch for symptoms of possible complications.
When you are taking Lisinopril, it is especially important that your doctor know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. You should tell your doctor about all medications that you are taking, but especially be certain you have communicated about any of the following medications.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Alteplase, Recombinant
- Amiloride
- Azathioprine
- Azilsartan Medoxomil
- Candesartan Cilexetil
- Canrenoate
- Eplerenone
- Eprosartan
- Losartan
- Olmesartan Medoxomil
- Potassium
- Spironolactone
- Telmisartan
- Triamterene
- Valsartan2
These are not the only medications that could cause problems when they are used together with Lisinopril, but are the main ones.
What are the most common side effects I should watch out for?
You should consult your doctor and get a complete list of side effects to watch for. Some side effects are more dangerous than others. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of these more common side effects: blurred vision, cloudy urine, confusion, decrease in urine output or decrease in urine-concentrating ability, dizziness, faintness, or light headedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position, sweating, unusual tiredness or weakness.3
Also be sure to call your doctor if you experience these less common side effects: abdominal or stomach pain, body aches or pain, chest pain, chills, common cold, cough, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, ear congestion, fever, headache, loss of voice, nasal congestion, nausea, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, vomiting.4
What can I do if I am worried about Lisinopril?
Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about the medications that you are being prescribed, or if you start to experience any side effects from them. You may be able to change to a medication that is more comfortable or effective for you. Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, increasing your exercise or finding other means of relaxation may also be something that your doctor will advise. If you are already taking Lisinopril, do not stop taking it without consulting with your doctor.
Learn everything you can about Lisinopril before you start taking it.
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1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000917/
2 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR602023/DSECTION=before%2Dusing
3 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR602023/DSECTION=side%2Deffects
4 Ibid.