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Introduction of
Lisinopril
Lisinopril is used alone or in combination with other
medications to treat high blood pressure. It is used in
combination with other medications to treat heart failure.
Lisinopril is also used to improve survival after a heart
attack. Lisinopril is in a class of medications called
angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. It works by
decreasing certain chemicals that tighten the blood vessels,
so blood flows more smoothly and the heart can pump blood more
efficiently.
Side
Effects of Lisinopril
If you experience any of the
following serious side effects, stop taking lisinopril and
call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical
treatment:
-
an allergic reaction (difficulty
breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips,
tongue, or face; or hives);
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difficulty breathing;
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ittle or no urine;
-
an irregular heartbeat or
changes in your heartbeat;
-
chest pain;
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severe dizziness or fainting; or
-
signs of an infection including
a sore throat or a fever.
Other, less serious side effects
may be more likely to occur. Continue to take lisinopril and
talk to your doctor if you experience
-
mild dizziness or
lightheadedness;
-
headache;
-
unusual fatigue or weakness;
-
dry, tickling cough;
-
muscle cramps;
-
numbness or tingling in the
hands, feet, arms, or legs;
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nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
-
a rash
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impotence
Warning
Before Taking Lisinopril
Lisinopril may increase the risk
of dangerous allergic reactions. Before taking lisinopril,
tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction
that involved swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat
or difficulty breathing. Seek emergency medical attention if
you develop any of these symptoms while taking lisinopril.
-
Before taking lisinopril, tell
your doctor if you
-
have kidney disease;
-
are on a salt-restricted diet or
have high levels of potassium in your blood;
-
are taking salt substitutes,
potassium supplements, or potassium-sparing diuretics such
as amiloride, triamterene, or spironolactone
-
have diabetes
You may not be able to take
lisinopril, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special
monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions
listed above.
Lisinopril is in the FDA pregnancy
category D. This means that lisinopril is known to harm an
unborn baby. When used during the second and third trimesters
of pregnancy, lisinopril can cause injury and even death to
the developing fetus. Do not take lisinopril if you are
pregnant.
It is not known whether lisinopril
passes into breast milk, and its effects on a nursing baby are
not known. Do not take lisinopril without first talking to
your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Disclaimer:
Information on this page is provided for general
information purposes. You should not make a clinical treatment
decision based on information contained in this page without
consulting other references including the package insert of
the drug, textbooks and where relevant, expert opinion. We
cannot be held responsible for any errors you make in
administering drugs mentioned on this page, nor for use of any
erroneous information contained on this page.
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