Lisinopril

About lisinopril

This belongs to the group of medicines known as ACE inhibitors.

Lisinopril is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and is also sometimes used to treat people who have suffered from a heart attack or who have heart failure.

Lisinopril works by causing blood vessels to relax, lowering blood pressure and increasing the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart. For this reason it is also sometimes used, alongside other medicines, to treat circulatory problems associated with diabetes.

Lisinopril is available in tablet form.

It is also sometimes known as: Carace; Zestril. You may notice the use of any of these names on the packaging of your medicine.

Before taking lisinopril

• if you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding
• if you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine
• if you suffer from kidney or liver disease
• if you are taking any other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines

How to take lisinopril

• Take lisinopril exactly as directed by your doctor.
• Keep your regular appointments with your doctor. You will probably need to have blood pressure tests to ensure the dose you are taking is right for you.
• Do not stop taking this medicine without speaking to your doctor first.
• Try to take lisinopril at the same time each day to avoid missing any doses.
• This medicine is for you. Never give it to others even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
• Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you or someone else has taken an overdose of lisinopril contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once. Always take the container with you if possible, even if it is empty.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Between 1 in 10 and 1 in 100 patients experience dizziness, lightheadedness or blurred vision, especially after the first dose of lisinopril. Make sure that you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machinery or do other jobs that could be dangerous if you were not fully alert or able to see properly.
• Before having any surgery, including dental surgery or emergency treatment, tell the doctor, dentist or surgeon that you are taking lisinopril.
• Lisinopril may cause a dry mouth in 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 10,000 patients. This can usually be relieved by chewing sugar-free gum, sucking sugar-free sweets or pieces of ice. If a dry mouth becomes particularly troublesome, discuss the problem with your doctor.
• Between 1 in 10 and 1 in 100 patients suffer diarrhoea and/or vomiting, this can be treated by drinking plenty of fluids and using 'over-the-couter' medicines from the chemist. If it continues for more than a few days speak to your pharmacist or doctor.
• Chest pain resulting from exercise or physical exertion may be prevented by this medicine, this may tempt you to do too much. Discuss this with your doctor if you intend to do a lot of exercise.
• In less than 1 in 10,000 patients the skin may become more sensitive to the sun. Whilst you are taking lisinopril, try to avoid the sun or sunbeds or use a sun cream higher than spf15.
• Lisinopril may cause you to sweat more than you usually do. Take extra care not to become overheated in hot weather and during exercise whilst taking lisinopril.
• Try to avoid alcohol, as it will also affect your blood pressure. If you do drink alcohol, drink only a little and be aware of its effects on you.

Can lisinopril cause problems?

Along with their needed effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects. These usually go away as your body adjusts to the new medicine. The chance of suffering side effects from this medicines are shown below. If any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome speak with your pharmacist or doctor.

• Common (1 in 10 to 1 in 100 patients): dizziness (especially on standing up), headache, cough, diarrhoea, vomiting.
• Uncommon (1 in 100 to 1 in 1,000 patients): rash, mood alterations, taste disturbance, sleep disturbances, tachycardia, indigestion, impotence, breast pain, feeling tired.
• Rare (1 in 1,000 to 1 in 10,000 patients): dry mouth, mental confusion, swelling of the face, tongue and throat.
• Very rare (less than 1 in 10,000 patients): low blood sugar, tight chest, inflamed or running nose, jaundice.

Important: lisinopril can cause sudden swelling of the tongue, lips, face and eyelids. If this happens contact your doctor or go to the accident and emergency department of your local hospital at once.

If you experience any other worrying or troublesome side effects, which you think may be due to this medicine, discuss them with your pharmacist.

How to store lisinopril

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store in a cool dry place, away from direct heat and light.
• Do not keep out of date or unwanted medicines. Discard them safely out of the reach of children or take them to your pharmacist who will dispose of them for you.

© EMIS and Cegedim Pharmacy Services Ltd 2006   Updated: 03/02/2006