What is lisinopril?
Lisinopril is in a group of drugs called ACE inhibitors. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme.
Lisinopril is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), congestive heart failure, and to improve survival after a heart attack.
Lisinopril may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about lisinopril?
Do not use lisinopril if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.
Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of lisinopril.
Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking lisinopril, unless your doctor has told you to.
Vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating can cause you to become dehydrated. This can lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure while you are taking lisinopril. Drink plenty of water each day while you are taking this medication.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking lisinopril?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to lisinopril or to any other ACE inhibitor, such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik).
To make sure you can safely take lisinopril, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
liver disease;
heart disease or congestive heart failure;
diabetes; or
a connective tissue disease such as Marfan syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis.
FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use lisinopril if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Lisinopril can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control while taking lisinopril.
It is not known whether lisinopril passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.