Lisinopril

In Aotearoa New Zealand lisinopril is available as tablets (5 mg, 10 mg and 20 mg).

• Your prescriber or pharmacist will tell you the strength that is right for you. Your dose of lisinopril will depend on what it is being used for.
• You will usually be started on a low dose which may be increased depending on how you respond. This allows your body to get used to the medicine and reduces side effects.
• Always take your lisinopril exactly as your prescriber has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much lisinopril to take, how often to take it and any special instructions.
• Check with your pharmacist if your tablets are different to what you expect.

• Timing: Lisinopril is usually taken once a day, in the morning. Take lisinopril at the same time each day. You can take lisinopril with or without food.
• Limit alcohol intake while you are taking lisinopril. Alcohol can increase your chance of side effects such as dizziness and light-headedness.
• Missed dose: If you forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it is nearly time for your next dose, just take the next dose at the right time. Don't take double the dose.

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy

ACE inhibitors can affect your baby's kidneys, especially if it's taken in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. This can result in long term damage to your baby's kidneys.

If you're already pregnant, talk to your doctor straight away. Usually your doctor will be able to prescribe a different medicine that's safe to take in pregnancy. ACE inhibitors should be stopped by the time you're 12 weeks pregnant at the latest.

Use contraception if you're taking ACE inhibitors and carefully plan any pregnancy with your GP, pregnancy specialist (obstetrician) or hospital doctor. They will want to review your medical condition and medicine before you get pregnant.

Most women stop taking ACE inhibitors before getting pregnant, but some may continue until they have a positive pregnancy test and then stop. Your doctor will discuss what's best for you, based on your medical condition and the risks and benefits of ACE inhibitors.

Severe allergic reaction to an ACE inhibitor

You shouldn't take ACE inhibitors if you've had a severe allergic reaction to an ACE inhibitor in the past, eg, swelling of your face, lips, mouth or tongue (called angioedema). Angioedema is a rare but potentially serious side effect and it can be fatal. It can occur at any time, including in people who have been taking ACE inhibitors for years. Read more about angioedema from ACE inhibitors in the side effects section below.

Here are some things to know when you're taking lisinopril. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.

Monitoring

Your doctor will arrange for you to have blood tests and blood pressure checks before you start taking lisinopril and during your treatment, especially when you first start taking it. This is to check how it is working and to check your kidneys and potassium levels.

Have a sick day plan

If you have diarrhoea (runny poo) or vomiting (being sick) from a stomach bug, or if you're dehydrated from another illness, it’s important to let your healthcare provider know. They may advise that you decrease your dose or stop taking lisinopril for a few days, and start again when you feel better.

Be careful when taking some pain relief medicines

ACE inhibitors can be used to protect your kidneys from damage if you have diabetes. However, if you are taking lisinopril and diuretics (water pills), the combination of these with NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory pain relief medicines) can be very harmful to your kidneys. It can cause acute kidney injury. This combination is called the ‘dangerous trio’ or ‘triple whammy’. You have a higher risk of harm to your kidneys if you are also an older adult (over 65 years) or you're dehydrated.

If you are taking an ACE inhibitor with a diuretic, do not use NSAIDs for pain relief. Talk to your healthcare provider about safe pain-relief options for you. Read more about NSAIDs and protecting your kidneys.

• Examples of NSAIDs are ibuprofen (Nurofen, Brufen SR), Diclofenac (Voltaren), Naproxen (Noflam, Naprosyn), Mefenamic acid (Ponstan), Celecoxib (Celebrex) and Tenoxicam (Tilcotil).
• Examples of diuretics are furosemide, bumetanide, bendroflumethiazide, chlortalidone, hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide, spironolactone, eplerenone and metolazone.

Image credit: Healthify He Puna Waiora

Are you pregnant or planning a pregnancy?

Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant or are planning a pregnancy while you're taking lisinopril.

Like all medicines lisinopril can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. If you're concerned about any symptoms you think might be related to your medicine, talk to your healthcare provider. The following information offers some guidance but doesn't include all possible side effects.

Common side effects

Tell your healthcare provider if these side effects bother you.

• Headache.
• Upset tummy or feeling sick, constipation (hard to poo) or diarrhoea (runny poo).
• Tickle in your throat, or dry, irritating cough.
• Dizziness, feeling lightheaded or faint when you stand up. This is quite common when you first start taking lisinopril and usually goes way with time. Be careful when getting up from either lying down or sitting to avoid falls. These effects put you at risk of falls and injuries, especially if you're an older adult. Stand up slowly. If you do feel dizzy, sit or lie down for a few moments.

Tell your healthcare provider immediately or phone Healthline free on 0800 611 116 if these occur

• Signs of problems with your liver, such as yellowing of your skin or eyes, dark pee (urine) or pain in your abdomen (tummy).

Phone 111 for an ambulance or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) clinic if these occur

• Signs of an allergic reaction such as itchy skin, and rash, swollen lips or tongue, problems breathing, like a tight chest or shortness of breath.

Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect.