Lisinopril: What Are the Side Effects and Dosages of Lisinopril?
The standard dose of this medication for adults with high blood pressure is 10 mg taken by mouth once a day.
The doctor may increase the dose up to a maximum of 80 mg per day depending on the requirement. For heart failures, the starting dose for adults is 5 mg per day and the dosage can be increased up to a maximum of 40 mg per day.
Cost Effective Lisinopril
Lisinopril is a prescription drug which is mainly available in oral form. There is also a generic form of this drug. The generic form is cost effective; however, it is not easily available since it is not considered a brand drug.
It is important that you speak to your doctor to find out if Lisinopril is the appropriate medication to treat your health condition. The drug is available in the form of a therapy and can either be taken alone or in combination with other drugs. It belongs to a class of drugs called Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
What Are the Common Side Effects of Lisinopril?
The most common side effects of the drug Lisinopril include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Persistent cough
- Low blood pressure
- Chest pain
Serious Side Effects of Lisinopril
It is important to consult your doctor immediately if you begin to experience any of the following side-effects. If you feel your symptoms are life-threatening, contact emergency services right away.
Hypersensitivity or Allergic Reaction Symptoms
- Face, lips, tongue, or throat swelling
- Trouble breathing
- Trouble swallowing
- Stomach or abdominal pain
- Nausea or vomiting
Symptoms of kidney Problems
- Weakness
- Body swelling
- Heavy breathing
- Weight gain
Symptoms of Liver Failure
- Yellowing of skin and eyes
- Increased liver enzymes
- Pain in stomach
- Nausea
- Increased potassium levels
Lisinopril causes an increase in potassium and can lead to arrhythmia, which causes heart rate or rhythm problems. The risk increases if you have kidney disease or diabetes. Lisinopril also causes low blood pressure, which can make an individual feel faint or dizzy. A person should not drive or operate heavy machinery after taking this drug since it can cause drowsiness or sleepiness.
Lisinopril interacts with other medications, herbs, and vitamins; therefore, it is important to inform your doctor of any other drugs, vitamins, or herbs that you are taking while on Lisinopril. It is advised to talk to the doctor or to the pharmacist about the possible effects of this drug.
- Alcohol Interaction
If you drink alcohol or if your drink contains alcohol, it may increase the blood pressure and decrease the effects of Lisinopril. It may also cause issues with feeling sleepy or dizzy.
- Blood Pressure Drugs
Taking other blood pressure drugs in combination with Lisinopril to reduce blood pressure may lead to high blood potassium and kidney failure.
- Kidney Disease
People suffering from kidney disease or undergoing dialysis should consult their doctor before taking Lisinopril.
- People with Diabetes
Lisinopril may change the blood level and affect the health of an individual with diabetes. Consult your doctor for any changes in diabetic medicine which depends on your sugar level.
- Pregnant Women
The drug Lisinopril is a category D pregnancy drug. According to research, it is found that the drug can adversely affect the unborn baby of a pregnant woman. Consult the doctor if you are pregnant or if you are planning to become pregnant.
How to Take Lisinopril (Dosage)
The dosages of this drug are dependent mainly on the person and how he or she reacts. Talk to the doctor about the appropriate dosage for you.
The dosage depends on the following factors:
- Age
- Condition of the disease
- Severity of the disease
- Medical conditions
- Reason for taking medicine.
Below is the dosage listing based on age.
Adult Dosage: Ages 18–64 years
- Starting dose: 5 mg taken by mouth once per day
- Maximum dose: 40 mg taken once per day
Child Dosage: Ages 0–17 years
- Medicine shouldn’t be used for children below 18 years of age.
Senior Dosage: Ages 65 years and older
- The effects of this drug will be slower on older people.
Lisinopril FAQ - (Frequently Asked Questions)
Below is a list of frequently asked questions regarding the drug Lisinopril.
Q: Can drugs such as Lisinopril, Metoprolol, Lexapro, Wellbutrin/Bupropion, Singulair, and Advair cause any form of weight gain?
A: The side effects of Lisinopril, and many other similar drugs, can cause rapid weight gain. Drugs such as Metoprolol can also cause swelling of hands and feet and lead to weight gain.
Q: How does 40 mg of Lisinopril affect a patient?
A: Lisinopril can cause fatigue. This side effect is experienced in at least 1 percent of patients taking the medication. Individuals taking Lisinopril feel tired and display the symptoms of low blood pressure.
Always check your blood pressure if you begin to experience an overwhelming drowsiness or fatigue. These symptoms may indicate that your dosage requires an adjustment by your physician.
Q: Can long-term use of Lisinopril affect a patient’s health?
A: Lisinopril is mainly categorized as an ACE inhibitor. It is used in the treatment of diseases such as high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. It also helps in improving the health after a heart attack.
Often, the benefits of Lisinopril outweigh the risk of side effects. Some of the common side effects of this drug include dry cough, dizziness, stomach upset, and itching. According to studies conducted on this drug, no major side effects or adverse conditions of any kind have been reported by patients taking Lisinopril in the past four years.
Q: Why has the doctor added Lisinopril to the medications I take daily when my blood pressure is normal?
A: If you are diabetic, it is likely that Lisinopril was prescribed to help avoid kidney problems.
Lisinopril is highly effective in preventing the progression of kidney disease due to diabetes. Studies show that ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors help in all types of diseases under diabetic conditions.
Q: Can I drink alcohol while taking Lisinopril for my blood pressure?
A: One should avoid alcohol while taking the medicine Lisinopril. Consumption of alcohol can lower your blood pressure further. The beneficial effects of Lisinopril can also be reduced due to alcohol consumption.
Q: Can Lisinopril cause a ringing effect in the ears?
A: According to a detailed clinical study regarding the medication Lisinopril, a small percentage of patients (less than 1 percent) have reported an ear ringing affect upon taking Lisinopril. If you are experiencing a ringing in your ears, it is recommended that you consult your doctor as this symptom could be a sign of ear infection, wax buildup, or certain types of allergies.
Q: How effective is grapefruit while on the medication Lisinopril?
A: Lisinopril (Zestril) is an ACE inhibitor which treats high blood pressure and many other heart-related issues. It does not interact with grapefruit or grapefruit juice.
Q: Why doesn’t Lisinopril dissolve in water?
A: The medication in tablet and pill form has a type of coating which only begins to dissolve inside the stomach. The coating is used to make the pill smoother to swallow. It also keeps the pill intact until it reaches the acidic environment inside the stomach. Since water contains no acidic properties, the pill will not dissolve in water.
Q: When is the best time of day to take my dosage of Lisinopril?
A: If you feel you are struggling with finding the appropriate time of day to take your Lisinopril, consult your doctor.
Q: Does Lisinopril help treat the kidneys in patients with kidney problems?
A: Being an ACE inhibitor, Lisinopril is used to:
- Treat high blood pressure (Hypertension).
- Treat congestive heart failure.
- Improve a patient’s health after a heart attack.
- Protect the kidneys of diabetic patients.
Q: Can taking Lisinopril cause knee and leg stiffness?
A: Yes. However, it is a rare side effect. If you are taking Lisinopril and experiencing stiffness in your knees or legs, consult a doctor.
