Heart disease is on the rise all over the world and no one, not you and me, is considered immune. Fortunately the medical world has come up with several drugs for us which focus on helping those suffering from congestive heart failure and high blood pressure, as well as all the other medical conditions involved with heart-related problems such as heart attacks, strokes, left ventricular hypertrophy, and arterial aneurysm. The Lisinopril drug is one of the most popular medications used to treat these problems, and if you’re like me whose family has a history of high blood pressure, then knowing some basic information about this medicine will be very helpful, either for yourself or someone close to you. This article will reveal more about Lisinopril and the side effects commonly associated from taking this drug.
What is Lisinopril?
Lisinopril is a drug that inhibits the productions of enzymes that cause the blood vessels in the body to tighten up. The body’s veins and arteries tighten up if you’re suffering from hypertension or high blood pressure, a process called vasoconstriction, and Lisinopril relaxes the blood vessels, allowing smooth blood circulation and keeping your heart, brain and other vital organs nourished with fresh oxygen.
Lisinopril belongs to a special class of drugs called the ACE inhibitors, short for angiotensin-converting enzyme, all of which are used for primarily treating high blood pressure. Other drugs in this group include Captopril, Zofenopril, Enalapril, Ramipril, Quinapril, Benazepril and Imidapril.
Incidentally, all of the ACE inhibitors happen to be synthesized from the toxic venom of the pit viper known as jararaca, found in Brazil, Paraguay and some areas of Argentina. Scientists have long noticed that the venom of the jararaca can cause massive bleeding and destroy the body’s tissues, and long years were spent researching and modifying the venom to isolate the compound that could relax the blood vessels without injuring them. The compound teprotide was finally isolated, and the first ACE inhibitor that marketed it was Captopril. The other inhibitors are modified versions of Captopril, including Lisinopril, which is sold under various brand names such as Hipril, Listril, Lopril, Prinivil, Tensopril and Zestril. Each drug has its own unique characteristics, and even those same drugs from different brands may have different effects on the same person.
My father, who has high blood pressure himself, has been prescribed Lisinopril, and we learned that Lisinopril differs from the other ACE inhibitors with its longer half life and water soluble properties. The drug is not metabolized at all, either by the liver or the digestive tract. Instead it leaves the body through the urine, perfectly unchanged. It is also more thoroughly absorbed by the tissues better than the other inhibitors. The drugs Prinzide, Zestril and Zestoretic, which are used for treating both hypertension and kidney problems, contain Lisinopril along with HCTZ or Hydrochlorothiazide, a first-line diuretic drug. The combination of these two drugs is called Lisinopril HCTZ for short.
What are the Lisinopril side effects?
The side effects of taking Lisinopril differ from person to person. However, constant research and observation has given rise to a list of potential and maybe even expected results you might get from taking the drug, other than its vessel-relaxing properties.
Headache and dizziness
These two are probably the most common of all Lisinopril side effects, and these do not generally symbolize a serious problem unless the headaches grow stronger and more frequent, or the dizziness gives way to fainting spells. Doctors might recommend a lighter Lisinopril dosage for these cases. My father complained of headaches too when he was first prescribed Lisinopril, but our doctor told him to keep taking the drug, and the headaches went away on their own.
Dangerously low blood pressure
Lisinopril is used to treat high blood pressure, but very low blood pressure is just as dangerous, and it is one of the reported side effects of Lisinopril. Lighter dosages might be administered, for a dangerously low blood pressure is a sign of an overdose.
Lisinopril cough
The enzymes in Lisinopril sometimes give an adverse effect to the lungs, resulting in a dry cough. This common side effect has led to it being known as the Lisinopril cough, where the sickness stems only from taking the medication, and not as an infection of any sort. The cough can appear within a few hours of taking Lisinopril or take as long as weeks or even months. If the cough becomes troublesome, doctors usually prescribe a different ACE inhibitor for the patient to take. The Lisinopril cough usually disappears once taking the medication is halted.
Other side effects of Lisinopril that are generally easily remedied when reported at once are:
- Tiredness
- Muscle Weakness
- Fever
- Chills
- Sore Throat
- Rashes
- and diarrhea.
These should be carefully observed and noted to your doctor.
The following side effects below are more serious. They usually only affect a small percentage of those who take Lisinopril, but any early signs should be brought to your doctor’s attention at once.
Hyperkalemia
Any medication such as Lisinopril that can inhibit or affect urinary excretion can lead to hyperkalemia, where the potassium level in the body reaches a very high level that it cannot be fully contained by the cells and starts filling the blood. Hyperkalemia is said to affect more men than women, and if treatment doesn’t start soon, the problem can lead to arrhythmia, irregular or abnormal heart rhythms.
People who are just beginning to take Lisinopril and have noticed heart palpitations, inexplicable malaise and general muscle weakness should visit their doctor as soon as possible. This is because hyperkalemia can only be detected through blood tests and can be the cause for fatal cardiac arrest or sudden death.
Urinary tract infection
Any sudden change to your usual urinary habits can be a sign of urinary tract infection. The most common symptoms are frequent urination, an urge to urinate even when no liquid comes out, and a burning sensation when urinating. Abdominal pain accompanied with a fever is also a sign of UTI.
UTI as a side effect is not as serious as hyperkalemia, but when left untreated can lead to kidney problems like pyelonephritis, which in turn can cause the formation of pus in the kidneys, septic shock, delirium, kidney failure, and even death. Our family also has its history of kidney problems, which is why we also need to be careful of watching any changes in our body regarding urine output.
When should you not take Lisinopril?
Lisinopril is only obtainable with a doctor’s approval, and this should not be considered a simple and safe drug that can be trifled with. Taking Lisinopril is risky even at the best of times, but it is widely considered downright dangerous for pregnant and lactating women. Taking the drug during the first trimester of pregnancy has been shown to greatly increase the risk for stillbirths, neonatal deaths, intrauterine retarded growth, underdeveloped skull and lungs, congenital heart disorder and other congenital malformations on the fetus. The United States Food and Drug Administration has classified Lisinopril as Pregnancy Categories C and D, which means that there is a very high risk of congenital defects on the infant, but that the drug can be taken if considered necessary.
Patients should inform their doctors of any allergic symptoms before they take Lisinopril, since the drug’s synthetic compounds can cause allergies to flare up.
What should Lisinopril takers do to stay well?
Effective birth control methods should be observed by women who are made to take Lisinopril. Consuming alcoholic drinks is also prohibited, since the drug can react to the alcohol in your bloodstream and lower your blood pressure to dangerous levels. Taking potassium supplements should not be done unless your doctor advises it, for this can increase the risk of hyperkalemia.
Whether you are taking Lisinopril or the Lisinopril HCTZ combination, never take more than your allowed dosage. If you missed your regular time, take the drug as soon as you can. Never double the dose on your next take.
Recommendations:
Lisinopril should not be shared with other people. Even if you know someone who has high blood pressure, avoid advising the person to take the drug, for he or she may not react as well to it as you, even if that person is a close family member. Keep the tablets in their own containers and store at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and excessive heat.
Constant check ups with your doctor is necessary. You should also monitor your own health as best as you can. Take your blood pressure readings regularly, drink plenty of water to keep your body and kidneys hydrated, and maintain a healthy weight to reduce the risk of dangerous side effects.