In this Article

• What is lisinopril (Prinivil)?
• What are the possible side effects of lisinopril (Prinivil)?
• What is the most important information I should know about lisinopril (Prinivil)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking lisinopril (Prinivil)?
• How should I take lisinopril (Prinivil)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Prinivil)?
• What happens if I overdose (Prinivil)?
• What should I avoid while taking lisinopril (Prinivil)?
• What other drugs will affect lisinopril (Prinivil)?
• Where can I get more information?

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking lisinopril (Prinivil)?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to lisinopril or to any other ACE inhibitor, such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik).

To make sure you can safely take lisinopril, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• liver disease;
• heart disease or congestive heart failure;
• diabetes; or
• a connective tissue disease such as Marfan syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use lisinopril if you are pregnant. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant. Lisinopril can cause injury or death to the unborn baby if you take the medicine during your second or third trimester. Use effective birth control while taking lisinopril.

It is not known whether lisinopril passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take lisinopril (Prinivil)?

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Lisinopril can be taken with or without food.

Conditions that may cause very low blood pressure include: vomiting, diarrhea, heavy sweating, heart disease, dialysis, a low salt diet, or taking diuretics (water pills). Tell your doctor if you have a prolonged illness that causes diarrhea or vomiting.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using lisinopril. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.