Lisinopril is used on its own or together with other medicines to keep your blood pressure under control. This medicine relaxes your blood vessels and helps lower your blood pressure.
Lisinopril may also be used to treat other conditions such as heart failure, heart attack, and kidney damage caused by diabetes.
Take Lisinopril exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Lisinopril is available as a tablet or oral solution.
If you are taking the tablet, swallow it whole with a glass of water.
If you are taking an oral solution, shake the bottle well before you take it to ensure that the liquid is evenly mixed. Use the measuring spoon or cup provided to measure your dose.
Lisinopril must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take Lisinopril if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or similar medicines such as captopril, enalapril or ramipril.
Alert your doctor if you have previously experienced a serious allergic reaction which causes swelling of the face and throat due to an unknown reason or a family history, as Lisinopril may not be suitable for you.
Do not take Lisinopril if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon. If you become pregnant while being treated with this medicine, alert your doctor immediately. Lisinopril may cause harm to your unborn child. You must use proven birth control methods while taking this medicine.
Do not take this medicine with aliskiren (medicine used to treat high blood pressure) if you have diabetes and severe kidney disease. Do not take Lisinopril if you have taken sacubitril/valsartan (medicines used to treat high blood pressure) within 36 hours. Please see the section “Can I take this with other medicines?” below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- other heart diseases such as narrowing of heart valves
- hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (abnormally thick heart muscle)
- immune system diseases affecting collagen e.g. systemic lupus erythematosus (autoimmune disease that causes inflammation)
- diabetes
- liver disease
- kidney disease or undergoing dialysis treatment
- hypoaldosteronism (deficiency in a hormone called aldosterone)
- low sodium levels in the blood or fluid loss caused by dietary salt restriction, diarrhoea, or vomiting
Let your doctor know if you are breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Lisinopril to a child or the elderly. Children or elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
If you are of a Black race, Lisinopril may be less effective. Inform your doctor if you are taking this medicine.
If you are going to have an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking Lisinopril.
If you are going to undergo certain laboratory tests or treatment to reduce allergy to bee or wasp stings (desensitisation), inform your doctor that you are using this medicine.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. kidney and liver function, blood potassium levels, complete blood count with differentials) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Your blood pressure may rise to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure during treatment.
- Regular monitoring for allergic reactions may also be needed.
What lifestyle changes can I make to improve my blood pressure?
Regular exercise and eating a healthy diet will help control your blood pressure and improve your overall health. Engage in physical activity like walking for at least 30 to 60 minutes on most days of the week. If you have not exercised for a long time, start with light exercises such as slow walks. Speak to your doctor about what type of exercise would be suitable for you. Follow a healthy diet plan by eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products and reduce your intake of foods high in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. Cutting down on deep-fried foods and using less salt when cooking can kick-start your healthy diet.
If you smoke, you should try to quit. Smoking is harmful to your blood pressure, heart and overall health. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about ways to stop your smoking habit.
Lisinopril may cause dizziness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
You may experience dizziness when getting up from a sitting or lying down position, especially if you are taking Lisinopril for the first time. This is common and should disappear gradually as you get used to this medicine. It will help if you get up slowly from a sitting or lying position.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, tiredness, dry cough, taste disturbances, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, muscle pain, and rashes.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes, or mouth
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
- muscle weakness, cramping or numbness; fast or irregular heartbeat
Lisinopril may cause the level of your red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets to drop.
Red blood cells carry oxygen around your body. A fall in the level of red blood cells may make you feel tired and worn out.
White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Inform your doctor if you have a fever, or a cough or flu that does not go away.
Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Inform your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Lisinopril with aliskiren (medicine used to treat high blood pressure) if you have diabetes or severe kidney disease.
Do not take this medicine if you have taken sacubitril/valsartan (medicine used to treat high blood pressure) within 36 hours as it may cause swelling of the face, and difficulty in breathing or swallowing.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other medicines for high blood pressure
- medicines for diabetes e.g. insulin, vildagliptin
- medicines for mood disorders e.g. lithium
- potassium supplements (either as a medicine or a as a salt substitute)
- water pills or medicines for water retention e.g. hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone, amiloride
- medicines for pain and inflammation e.g. aspirin, ibuprofen, celecoxib
- medicines used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, everolimus, sirolimus, tacrolimus
- blood-thinning medicines e.g. heparin
- racecadotril (medicine to treat diarrhoea)
- trimethoprim (antibiotic)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Lisinopril.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics, such as traditional Chinese medicine, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Cut down on your salt intake. This may help lower your blood pressure and improve your overall health. Discuss with your doctor or dietitian about ways to cut down on your salt intake.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
Sign Out
