Overview Of Lisinopril
Lisinopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. The medication is available as a tablet and an oral solution. Adults with high blood pressure will be placed on an initial dose of up to ten milligrams daily. The standard maintenance dose is between twenty to forty milligrams. Patients with kidney or liver issues may need a lower dose.
Lisinopril is an effective medication for high blood pressure. Of course, patients will still need blood pressure checks when taking this medication. It is also an option for heart failure treatment in some patients. Some diabetes patients will benefit as well, though they will still need to conduct blood sugar checks and follow other treatments their doctor prescribes.
How It Works
Like other ACE inhibitors, lisinopril blocks an enzyme that converts angiotensin I into angiotensin II. This reduces angiotensin II in the blood. It makes it less effective. The blood vessels can relax, and the heart receives more blood and oxygen. Additionally, ACE inhibitors reduce the amount of aldosterone released by the adrenal cortex. This mechanism helps the kidneys release sodium that is excreted through urination. Lisinopril is the only medication in its class that the liver does not metabolize. It is unique because it is a water-soluble ACE inhibitor. This medicine has a half-life of approximately twelve hours.
Continue reading to learn about the uses and benefits next.
Lisinopril Uses And Benefits
Lisinopril is one of the most common high blood pressure medications. Doctors routinely prescribe it for heart failure patients. It may be recommended for individuals who have had a heart attack. Since lisinopril lowers blood pressure, it may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and strokes. Patients recovering from a heart attack are advised to start taking lisinopril within twenty-four hours to increase their survival rate. Lisinopril may also be considered for 'off-label' use as a treatment for coronary artery disease. It can be beneficial for patients with mitral valve regurgitation.
Research suggests that it could also help prevent diabetes. In studies of diabetes patients with kidney disease, lisinopril has been shown to prevent the progression of this disease. A study of individuals with diabetic retinopathy concluded that the medication led to a fifty percent reduction in the condition's progression rate. Migraine patients may also benefit from taking lisinopril. A study found that the drug reduced migraine severity and duration by twenty percent, and it led to a twenty-one percent reduction in the number of days that participants experienced migraines.
Reveal the potential side effects next.
Potential Side Effects
Patients who use lisinopril could experience side effects. The most frequently reported side effects include blurred vision, confusion, cloudy urine, dizziness, sweating, and weakness. Patients should contact their doctor immediately if they notice any of these effects. Less commonly, individuals could develop chest pain, chills, abdominal pain, breathing difficulties, coughing, or nausea. Some patients might have diarrhea, vomiting, or a sore throat.
In rare cases, patients have reported insomnia, joint pain, loss of appetite, muscle pain, and heart rate increases. If these side effects occur, it is vital to let the prescribing doctor know immediately. It may be necessary to adjust the patient's dose. Some individuals might need to switch to another medication if the side effects are severe. Skin rashes may develop, and some individuals could have heartburn. While these side effects are considered minor, patients should still let their doctor know if they persist or worsen.
Discover the precautions to remember when taking lisinopril next.
Precautions To Remember
Before lisinopril is prescribed, the patient's doctor will need to make sure that the patient will be able to take it safely. Patients must tell their doctor about any history of diabetes, kidney issues, liver disease, heart conditions, or angioedema. The doctor needs to know about any history of fluid imbalances, electrolyte imbalances, or collagen vascular disease too. Kidney disease patients who are taking aliskiren should not take this medication. Lisinopril may cause dangerous increases in potassium in patients with kidney issues. Since it can exacerbate existing liver problems, individuals with liver disease should use this medication cautiously. Lisinopril is not safe for pregnant women.
After this medication has been prescribed, patients will need to attend regular follow-up appointments to monitor their blood pressure and weight. Frequent blood tests may be necessary. Patients who use the oral solution should shake the bottle before measuring the dose. The tablets and oral solution should be stored at room temperature. It is essential to keep the medicine away from moisture, heat, and direct light. Once the oral solution has been mixed, it can be safely stored at or below room temperature for up to one month.
Learn about potential medication interactions next.
Potential Medication Interactions
Lisinopril is associated with several potential medication interactions. In particular, patients are advised not to take lisinopril with aliskiren or sacubitril. This medication should not be used alongside amiloride, lithium, losartan, potassium, sirolimus, or triamterene. Using these drugs at the same time could increase the risk of side effects.
Suppose the doctor determines that the patient needs to take these medications together. In that case, they may lower the patient's dose of one or both drugs. The patient might need to take one or both medicines less frequently. Patients who use Aspirin, ibuprofen, celecoxib, tizanidine, or tolmetin with lisinopril should check with their doctor about the proper dose of these medicines.