Prinivil

Prinivil is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart failure. It is an ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor.

By inhibiting ACE it causes relaxation of vessels and also decreases absorption of water by the kidney, both helps in reducing pressure on vessels and thus increasing the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart.

Prinivil is also used to increase survival rate after heart attack. It is available in a tablet form and only with your doctor’s prescription.

If you are about to start Prinivil, speak with your doctor about what you need to know.

Before starting the treatment your doctor should be informed about condition such as:

Allergy: Inform your doctor if you are allergic to any food, preservatives, dyes, or had an allergic reaction when you used this drug before.

Children: There are no adequate studies done which prove Lisinopril’s harmful effects in children from 6 to 16 year of age. Use it after consulting your doctor. However, it is not safe in children younger than 6 year of age.

Elderly: This medicine does not cause any different side effects or problem than it does in younger adults. However, it should be used with caution if there are kidney problems.

Pregnancy: It is a category D drug. It should not be used in pregnancy. It can cause harm or death to an unborn baby.

Breast Feeding: There are no adequate studies which prove that Lisinopril passes into breast milk. If you are using Lisinopril while nursing, discuss it with your doctor for possible risk factors.

Drug Interactions: Lisinopril may interact with other drugs. Your doctor should be informed of any other medicines which you are taking. He may want to change the dosage or drug.

Several other conditions may reduce its effectiveness.

Make sure you inform your doctor of conditions such as:

• Angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat, arms, or legs) with other ACE inhibitors.
• Kidney or liver diseases.
• Diabetes.
• High level of potassium in the blood.
• Collagen vascular disease (an autoimmune disease).
• Heart or blood vessel problems (aortic stenosis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy).

Proper usage of Prinivil requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders. Prinivil only helps in reducing blood pressure. It does not cure blood pressure related problems.

It is very important to continue to take medicine as directed in order to keep blood pressure within normal range. You may need to use it for the rest of your life.

It can be taken with or without food. You should drink a large amount of water while using Lisinopril.

With Lisinopril, you should also control your weight and diet. Avoid foods which are rich in sodium (salt).

Swallow the drug. Do not crush or chew it. If children have difficulty in swallowing it as a whole, an oral liquid may be given instead of a tablet. Shake it well before use.

Dosage: It is different for different patients. Dosage mentioned below is an average dose. You must follow your doctor’s command.

For treatment of high blood pressure:

Adults: 10 mg (milligram) once a day. It is usually not more than 40 mg per day.

Children above 6 years of age: doses are based on body weight. It is 0.07mg per kilogram of body weight per day. The dose is usually not more 40 mg per day.

For treatment of heart failure:

Adults: 5mg once a day. It is usually not more than 40 mg per day.

For immediate treatment after heart attack:

Adults: Initially 5 mg, next dose is 5 mg which is given after 24 hours, followed by 10 mg which is given after 48 hours once a day.

Missed dose: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. If it almost a time for your next dose skips the missed dose and continue your daily schedule. Do not double the dose.

Storage: Store it at room temperature. Keep it away from children.

Before using Prinivil, there are some precautions you must take. Your doctor should check your daily progress at regular visits. Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Lisinopril before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.

Lisinopril can cause anaphylactic reactions. Inform your doctor immediately if you start having a rash, itching, fainting, palpitation, trouble breathing and swelling of hand face and mouth. Use an effective form of birth control methods as Lisinopril can harm an unborn baby.

It can cause intestinal angioedema. Inform your doctor immediately if you have a severe stomach pain. If you have diabetes, do not use Lisinopril together with any medication that contains aliskiren (Amturnide, Tekturna, Tekamlo, Valturna).

You can become dehydrated easily while using Lisinopril. Inform your doctor if you are having ongoing diarrhea, vomiting as they can cause severe electrolyte imbalance and can cause death.

Lisinopril may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or light-headedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines.

Use Lisinopril with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it. Lisinopril can cause high potassium levels in the blood.

Its symptoms are abdominal or stomach pain, confusion, difficulty with breathing, irregular heartbeat, nausea or vomiting, nervousness, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips, shortness of breath, or weakness or heaviness of the legs.

Inform your doctor if you have any of these symptoms. Do not take any supplements which have a high level of potassium without informing your doctor. It may alter your blood sugar levels. Keep a track on your blood sugar level.

It can aggravate liver diseases. Inform your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms such as upper stomach pain, pale stools, dark urine, loss of appetite, nausea, unusual tiredness or weakness, or yellow eyes or skin.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Prinivil. Some people may experience none or minor side effects.

Consult with your doctor if they become problematic or frequent:

More common are:

• Blurred vision
• Cloudy urine
• Confusion
• Decrease in urine output or decrease in urine-concentrating ability
• Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position.
• Sweating
• Unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common are:

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• Body aches or pain
• Chest pain
• Chills
• Common cold
• Cough
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty breathing

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.