Lisinopril Side Effects, Overdose and Pregnancy Information

Lisinopril side effects are cough, dizziness, headache, sleep interruptions, hypotension, diarrhea, vomiting, and problems with kidney functions. Rare Lisinopril side effects may include fatigue, weakness, nausea, indigestion, itching, mood swings, insomnia, palpitations, enhanced level of potassium in the blood (hyperkalaemia), dry mouth, confusion, swelling of lips, face, tongue or throat, hair loss and severe allergic skin reactions.

Lisinopril Side Effects Reporting

If you experience any Lisinopril side effects not mentioned above you should report it to your primary health care provider or FDA 1-800-FDA-1088 in the United States, Health Canada 1-866-225-0709 in Canada, MHRA 020 3080 6000 in UK, or TGA 1800 020 653 in Australia.

Lisinopril is a type of drug known as ACE inhibitor. Lisinopril is primarily used to lower blood pressure. Lisinopril can also be used to improve the symptoms of heart failure and to improve survival following a heart attack. Lisinopril works by blocking the action of a compound in the body called Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). ACE produces another compound called Angiotensin II, which causes blood vessels to tighten and narrow resulting in increasing the pressure within the blood vessels. Lisinopril blocks the action of ACE by reducing the production of Angiotensin II. This results in the relaxation and expansion of the blood vessels, thereby causing drop in blood pressure.

LISINOPRIL OVERDOSE

Lisinopril overdose symptoms may include extreme dizziness, light-headedness and or fainting. In case of Lisinopril overdose seek emergency medical attention right away. If you miss a dose of Lisinopril then take it as soon as you can. However, if it is just about time for your next dose, skip the one you forgot and go on with your regular schedule. Never take a double dose of Lisinopril.

Lisinopril and Pregnancy

Lisinopril should not be used during pregnancy.
Lisinopril could cause birth defects in the baby if taken during pregnancy. If you get pregnant while taking this medicine, talk to your physician right away. However, in some cases, where Lisinopril is considered to be life-saving to the mother, treatment may be continued. Though it is not known if Lisinopril passes into breast milk, nursing mothers should switch to bottle-feed while on this medicine.

Lisinopril Warning

Some people may experience dizziness caused by low blood pressure in the first few days of taking Lisinopril and especially the first dose. For this reason, the first dose should preferably be taken at night before going to bed.

Alcohol may enhance the blood pressure lowering effect of Lisinopril, which can increase dizziness and may increase the risk of fainting.

Lisinopril can sometimes cause an allergic reaction called angioedema. Stop taking Lisinopril and consult your physician right away if you experience difficulty breathing or swallowing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, feet or ankles while taking Lisinopril.

Lisinopril should not be given to:

People who are allergic to other ACE inhibitors.

History of swelling of the lips, face or tongue.

Pregnant women.

Lisinopril is not recommended for children.

Lisinopril Caution

Lisinopril should be used in caution with:

Seniors.

Decreased kidney function.

Narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the kidneys.

People with low fluid volume or salt levels in the body

People taking other drugs for hypertension, specially diuretics.

Low blood pressure.

Severe heart failure.

Narrowing of the main artery of the body.

Diseases affecting connective tissue, e.g. scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis.

People with kidney failure requiring a certain type of dialysis (high-flux membrane).

People receiving therapy to remove certain types of fat from the blood using a machine.

People undergoing therapy to decrease allergy to bee or wasp stings.

Lisinopril Interaction

Lisinopril may enhace effects of other drugs that lower blood pressure.

Lisinopril may cause a large drop in blood pressure with the first dose in people taking antihypertensive drugs, especially those taking diuretic drugs.

If you are taking a diuretic drug, your physician may reduce your dose or ask you to stop taking it for a few days before starting Lisinopril.

If you frequently feel dizzy while taking Lisinopril in combination with other drugs that can lower blood pressure you should let your physician know, as your doses may need adjusting.

Other drugs that lower blood pressure include:
other ACE inhibitors
alpha-blockers
angiotensin II receptor
antipsychotics
beta-blockers
calcium-channel blockers
diuretics
dopamine agonists
MAOI antidepressants
nitrates

NSAIDs such as Aspirin, Acetaminophen, and Ibuprofen may reduce the blood pressure lowering effect of Lisinopril and may increase the risk of a decline in kidney function.

There may be a risk of raised potassium levels in the blood (hyperkalaemia) if the following drugs are taken with Lisinopril:
Angiotensin II receptor antagonists
Potassium-containing salt substitutes
Potassium salts
Potassium -sparing diuretics
Potassium supplements.

Lisinopril may increase the blood level of the drug lithium and for this reason, it is not normally recommended for people taking lithium.

Lisinopril may possibly enhance the blood glucose lowering effect of Insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs, and so could increase the risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia).

There may be an increased risk of a drop in the normal numbers of white blood cells in the blood if Lisinopril is taken in combination with any of the following medicines:
Allopurinol
Azathioprine
Immunosuppressant therapy
Procainamide

Lisinopril Doses

Lisinopril should only be taken at doses directed by the physician.
Lisinopril can be taken with or without food and at the same time each day.

Lisinopril should not be taken within two hours of taking an antacid.

The dosage of Lisinopril is lowered slowly when discontinuing.

The starting dose of Lisinopril is 5 mg daily, and the effective dose range for treating heart failure is 5-40 mg daily. The dose can be increased by 10 mg every 2 weeks to achieve the maximum effect. The maximum dose is 40 mg daily.

The starting dose of Lisinopril for treating hypertension is 10 mg daily. The usual dose range is 20-40 mg daily.
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