Guide To Lisinopril
Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that is available as a liquid and a tablet! The initial dose of this medication is up to ten milligrams a day for adults. This is used for high blood pressure patients! When on a maintenance dose, patients will take twenty to forty milligrams daily. However, liver and kidney disease patients will need a lower dose!
High blood pressure patients will need to conduct regular blood pressure checks. However, this is an effective medication for high blood pressure. They will start seeing results soon! This medication also appears as a diabetes treatment. Patients will, of course, need to conduct blood sugar checks as well! This medication can also act as a heart failure treatment!
How It Works
Lisinopril works the same as other ACE inhibitors! This medication blocks the needed enzyme. The result is less angiotensin II in the blood, since the enzyme cannot convert the first type into it. Thus, an individual's blood vessels will relax. Their heart will receive more oxygen and blood! This medication will also reduce how much aldosterone is released. Thus, the kidneys can release more sodium in an individual's urine! The liver does not metabolize this medication. It is a unique one, as it is considered water-soluble. Evidence has shown that it has an approximate half-life of twelve hours.
Get the full details on the benefits and uses for this medication next.
Uses And Benefits
Lisinopril is often prescribed for high blood pressure. It is the most common medication for this condition! Additionally, doctors will prescribe this medication to treat heart failure. It also benefits individuals recovering from a heart attack! It will even prevent strokes and similar events. This is because it lowers a patient's blood pressure! Patients who have experienced a heart attack must take this medication within a day for the best results.
'Off-label' uses for this medication include treating coronary artery disease and diabetes. This medication slows the progression of diabetes! Patients can expect a fifty percent reduction in the progression of diabetic retinopathy. This is incredible support! Studies show that migraines patients experience relief with lisinopril. The duration and severity of their migraines decrease by twenty percent! They can also expect a reduction of twenty-one percent in the number of days that they experienced migraines.
Continue reading to learn about the side effects linked to this medication next.
Side Effects
Side effects may occur with this medication. The most common lisinopril side effects are dizziness, blurry vision, and sweating. Patients will also often deal with confusion, weakness, and cloudy urine. Skin rashes and heartburn are minor, but do occur! Less common side effects include chills, nausea, coughing, chest pain, and abdominal pain. Other potential side effects are vomiting, sore throat, diarrhea, and breathing issues. Patients must inform their doctor about all the side effects that they experience!
Patients will rarely experience joint or muscle pain, insomnia, appetite loss, or an increased heart rate. However, they must report these side effects to their doctor immediately! They will need their dose adjusted. Doctors will switch them to another medication if necessary.
Uncover information on precautions to remember when taking this medication next.
Precautions
Doctors need to know about their patient's medical history before prescribing lisinopril. Patients must inform them of any history with liver disease, kidney problems, and heart conditions. Electrolyte or fluid imbalances are also points of concern! Patients should tell their doctor about all medical conditions they have a history of to be safe. This medication, for instance, can cause dangerous potassium increases in kidney disease patients. It can also make liver issues worse! Pregnant women should not take this medication either.
Patients on this medication need to monitor their weight and blood pressure. Follow-up appointments and blood tests are suitable for this! Patients must also store the oral form away from heat and moisture. Storing it at room temperature is appropriate! They also have to shake their medication before measuring each dose.
Discover information on medication interactions next.
Potential Medication Interactions
Many medication interactions can occur with lisinopril. This is why patients need to talk about all medications they currently take with their doctor. They cannot take this medication alongside losartan, lithium, and potassium. Taking it with aliskiren may not be appropriate either! Mixing these medications increases the risk of side effects.
Some patients need to take multiple medications. In these cases, the doctor can adjust the doses. This ensures that they manage the risk of side effects while maintaining effectiveness! Patients may need to take one medication less often. Medications that this applies to include ibuprofen, Aspirin, and tizanidine. They need to get the proper dose if they are also taking lisinopril!