Lisinopril

What lisinopril is for

Lisinopril is a type of medicine called an ACE inhibitor which makes your blood vessels relax and widen. This helps to lower your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body.

Lisinopril is used to treat:

• high blood pressure (hypertension)
• a recent heart attack
• kidney problems caused by diabetes

It’s also used, along with other medicines, to treat heart failure.

How to take lisinopril

Lisinopril comes as tablets you swallow with water, or as a liquid.

Your doctor may prescribe a low dose to start with and gradually increase it over a few days or weeks. This reduces the chances of side effects.

You may have regular blood tests or other checks while you're taking lisinopril.

Some people take it for a few weeks while others take it for several months or more.

When taking lisinopril:

• try to take it at the same time each day
• swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water

Always check the packet or leaflet that comes with your medicine. Ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice if you're not sure how to take it or have any problems taking it.

If you miss a dose of lisinopril

If you forget to take a dose of lisinopril, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose.

If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose at the usual time.

Do not take 2 doses to make up for a missed dose.

If you take too much lisinopril

Taking an extra dose of lisinopril can be dangerous.

Get help from NHS 111 if:

If you're told to go to A&E, do not drive. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

Bring the lisinopril packet or leaflet inside it, any remaining medicine, and any other medicines you take.

Side effects of lisinopril

Like all medicines, lisinopril can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Common side effects

Common side effects of lisinopril include:

• headaches
• feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
• diarrhoea
• feeling dizzy, especially if you stand up quickly
• a dry cough that does not go away
• kidney problems (you'll have blood tests to check for this)

If you feel dizzy or drowsy after taking lisinopril, do not drive, ride a bike or use machinery until you no longer have these symptoms.

Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if:

Serious side effects

Lisinopril can sometimes cause serious side effects, although most of them are uncommon or rare.

Possible serious side effects of lisinopril include:

• an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) – causing symptoms such as a swollen throat or tongue, a raised itchy rash and difficulty breathing
• kidney failure – which may cause symptoms such as blood in your pee, passing less pee than usual, and pain in your lower back
• angioedema – which causes swelling in areas such as your lips, tongue and face (you have a higher chance of getting angioedema if you have black skin)

Call NHS 111 if:

More about side effects

These are not all the side effects of lisinopril.

For a full list, see the leaflet that came with your medicine or search for your medicine leaflet on the electronic medicines compendium website.

You can report any side effects you get on the Yellow Card website

Who can and cannot take lisinopril

Lisinopril is a medicine for adults and children over 6 years old.

Lisinopril is not suitable for some people. For example, it may not be suitable if you’ve had an allergic reaction to lisinopril or another ACE inhibitor.

It also may not be suitable if you have:

• a condition called angioedema that causes swelling in areas such as your face, hands and feet, mouth or throat
• kidney problems
• liver problems
• treatment to prevent allergy symptoms, such as desensitisation therapy

Before taking lisinopril, tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions.

Breastfeeding and lisinopril

Tell your doctor if you're breastfeeding.

Lisinopril may be taken while breastfeeding, but it's best to check because the medicine may pass into your breast milk in small amounts.

A doctor may recommend you try a different ACE inhibitor, called enalapril, while you’re breastfeeding.

If you’re taking lisinopril while breastfeeding, speak to a healthcare professional or call NHS 111 if you have any concerns about your baby.

Pregnancy and lisinopril

Tell your doctor if you're pregnant or become pregnant.

Lisinopril is not usually used during pregnancy because it can:

• affect how your baby’s kidneys, skull, lungs and joints develop
• reduce the level of amniotic fluid that protects them in the womb
• increase the risk of stillbirth

A doctor will recommend an alternative medicine that’s safer to take during pregnancy.

Find out more about taking lisinopril and other ACE inhibitors during pregnancy on the Bumps (Best Use of Medicines in Pregnancy) website

Taking lisinopril with other medicines, food and drink

There are some medicines, remedies and supplements that may not mix well with lisinopril.

This includes:

• other medicines for high blood pressure and heart problems
• medicines for asthma
• antiviral medicines, such as aciclovir
• antidepressants, such as amitriptyline
• antibiotics, such as cefalexin
• diuretics, such as bendroflumethiazide
• anticoagulants, such as heparin
• the medicine lithium, used to treat some mental health problems
• painkillers, such as ibuprofen

This is not the full list of medicines that may not mix well with lisinopril. Before taking lisinopril, tell your doctor if you’re taking any other medicines, remedies, vitamins or supplements.

Food, drink and alcohol with lisinopril

You can eat as normal while taking lisinopril, but it may be best to avoid drinking alcohol because it can increase the risk of low blood pressure (hypotension).

Find out more about your medicine

To find out more about your medicine, you can:

• check the leaflet that comes with it
• search for your medicine leaflet on the electronic medicines compendium website
• speak to a pharmacist or doctor for advice