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.
