Lisinopril Side Effects

High blood pressure (‘HBP’) or hypertension is a medical condition that causes concern to many people. Elevated blood pressure may be an indication of blocked arteries. Blood pressure is the force with which blood is pumped by the heart through the arteries. When certain conditions such as clogged arteries cause narrowing of the path through which the blood has to be pumped, the heart has to exert extra effort to pump the blood. This puts a lot of strain on the heart muscle. Over time, the excess amount of work done by the heart will damage both the heart and kidneys and be the cause of cardio vascular illnesses as well as renal dysfunction. HBP is also the leading cause of stroke, as ruptured arteries can produce blood clots that can block major arteries. Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor prescription medication that is used to lower high blood pressure. It is also prescribed for relieving the symptoms of congestive heart failure and as a precautionary medication against another heart attack. Those prescribed with Lisinopril need to be aware of drug interactions as well as the Lisinopril side effects to ensure that they reap the best benefits from this drug.

Causes of High Blood Pressure

Although the primary cause of hypertension is clogged arteries, due to deposits of plaque, there are several other reasons why a person may develop HBP. In order to understand this, knowing the two types of hypertension is beneficial. These are essential hypertension and secondary hypertension. The cause of essential hypertension is not clearly defined. However, excessive salt intake is one of the reasons known to cause essential hypertension. Genetics, obesity, lack of proper exercise, high intake of fatty and cholesterol rich foods, as well as smoking, are among the other reasons behind essential hypertension. On the other hand, secondary hypertension is caused as a result of another disorder in the body. A good example of secondary hypertension is high blood pressure caused by renal failure.

How Lisinopril Works

In people with high blood pressure, certain enzymes in the blood, called the angiotensin converting enzymes, act on the blood vessels by narrowing them. This narrowing of the artery walls contributes to elevated blood pressure levels. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) help to relax blood vessels, facilitating smooth blood flow through the arteries. This, as a result, puts less stress on the heart. Reduced load on the heart organ is beneficial for its health as it provides the time and opportunity for the cells in the heart to recuperate and be less inflamed with overwork. There are several ACE inhibitors on the market that have a similar efficacy in relaxing the artery muscles. These include Captopril, Benazapril, Perindopril etc. Lisinopril also belongs to the class of ACE inhibitors that act on HBP by relaxing blood vessels.

Adverse Effects of Lisinopril

As with all other medications, there are side effects of Lisinopril. They will, however, depend on the individual. Some may experience mild to severe Lisinopril side effects while others may not. However, it is always beneficial to be aware of these side effects in order to avoid any complications. Common side effects of Lisinopril include:

• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Cough
• Vomiting
• Fatigue
• Headaches

Certain side effects may be more complex than others. Medical attention is advised in cases such as the following, which may indicate the need for either terminating the medication or adjusting the dosage.

• Severe allergic reaction that includes hives, difficulty in breathing, tightening of the chest, swelling of the face, hands and other parts of the body etc.
• Decreased urge to pass urine
• Dark urine
• Irregular heartbeats
• Infections
• Hypotension
• Jaundice
• Abdominal pain

There are many more indirect side effects of Lisinopril that can be observed over a longer period of treatment time. For example, weight gain is another side effect of taking this medication. Decreased sex drive, impotence and erectile dysfunction are also among the side effects resulting from Lisinopril. The cause of these, as with weight gain, cannot be blamed 100% on the medication. Pregnant women prescribed Lisinopril should obtain advice from their doctor about possible birth defects when taking this medication. Lisinopril is known to cause birth defects and miscarriages. It should not be taken if pregnancy is being planned in near future or a woman has tested positive for pregnancy. Breastfeeding mothers too are advised against the medication, although there is no conclusive evidence to suggest whether Lisinopril is secreted into breast milk. If a person has been prescribed the medication already, these factors should be alerted to the health care provider so that a decision regarding altering the prescription can be taken professionally rather than at the patient’s own discretion. In addition, Lisinopril or any other ACE inhibitor should not be taken if a person is allergic to Lisinopril. Those with any medical conditions such as kidney disease, liver disease, heart disease, diabetes or tissue disease need to bring their doctor up to date on these conditions before taking Lisinopril.

There have been remarkably few significant Lisinopril side effects. Therefore, most often, the medication can be taken without any worry. Keep in mind the fact that lifestyle changes such as reducing alcohol intake, quitting smoking, consuming a healthy diet and engaging in exercise will help increase the benefits of Lisinopril.