Lisinopril is a medicine used for the treatment of high blood pressure. While there are benefits of Lisinopril, precautions must be taken, and medical advice should be sought out before starting a course of this medication.
Mechanism of Action
Lisinopril is an Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme inhibitor (ACE Inhibitor). Angiotensin is a hormone responsible for the narrowing of blood vessels, a process termed as vasoconstriction. Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme is responsible for the production of the Angiotensin hormone. Lisinopril acts as an inhibitor and stops the production of this enzyme altogether. With the prevention of angiotensin production, the blood vessels stop narrowing, resulting in a reduction in the high blood pressure levels.
Precautions
This medicine should not be taken in certain conditions: pregnancy, diabetes, liver or kidney disease, and high potassium levels in the body. Moreover, if you have hereditary angioedema, you should avoid this medicine in that case as well.
Side Effects that Need Medical Attention
If you are on Lisinopril and suffer from following side effects, you should immediately consult your doctor so that he can adjust the dosage or change your medication altogether.
Common Side Effects
Common side effects of Lisinopril include:
- Weakness or tiredness
- Sweating
- Light-headedness and dizziness
- Cloudy urine or decrease in urination
- Blurred vision
Occasional Side Effects
Occasional side effects that are less common may include:
- Indigestion-like symptoms including vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain or diarrhoea
- Cough-like symptoms such as sore throat, hoarse voice, breathing difficulties or chest pain
- Flu-like symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing or ear or nasal congestion
- Feverish symptoms such as elevated body temperature, chills, headaches or body aches
Rare Side Effects
Rare side effects that rarely occur, but if they do, might need doctor’s attention include:
- Insomnia or trouble sleeping.
- Shivering
- Muscle or joint pain
- Anorexia or loss of appetite
- Heart palpitations or irregularity in heartbeat
- Heaviness or tightness in the chest
- Pain in arms, jaws or back
Side Effects that Do Not Require Medical Attention
Few side effects of Lisinopril do not require any medical attention and subside as your body adjusts to the medicine. With the help of a health professional, you can keep these symptoms to a minimum. Typically, these symptoms go away on their own as the treatment progresses.
Occasional Side Effects
These side effects do not occur in all the patients who take Lisinopril. They may include:
- Skin rash or redness
- Loss in sexual libido, leading to a reduction in sexual drive, performance and desires
- Loss or lack of strength
Rare Side Effects
These side effects rarely occur in patients, but still, a limited number of cases have been recorded, hence should be taken into account.
- Swelling
- Feeling of the world spinning around
- Cramping of muscles
- Feeling of tingling, prickling, numbness, itching, crawling or burning in the skin.
- Digestive problems such as upset or discomforting stomach, heartburn, frequent belching, increase in acidity and indigestion
Medical Side Effects
These medical side effects are more useful for professional reference, but a typical consumer should also be aware of these side effects.
- Intake of Lisinopril can cause hypotension or low blood pressure. Heart palpitations, orthostatic hypotension, angina or chest pain are also common side effects.
- Lisinopril can increase levels of creatinine in the body.
- Lisinopril can increase levels of potassium in the body, causing hyperkalaemia (high potassium levels in the body).
Lisinopril has its benefits as well as side effects. Before beginning the medication, it is necessary to inform your health professional about your previous history so that he can decide whether or not you should be prescribed Lisinopril, and if yes, then decide on the quantity and dosage.
