Prinivil/Lisinopril is used to lower high blood pressure and sometimes to treat heart failure. It works by widening the blood vessels, meaning that the heart does not have to pump as hard to move blood around the body.
Prinivil/Lisinopril belongs to the class of medicines known as Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors. Other products of this type include Capoten, Accupro and Accupril.
Dosage
A typical prescribed dosage is 1 tablet per day. However, you should only use Prinivil/Lisinopril as directed by your doctor or medical professional.
For best results it recommended that you take Prinivil/Lisinopril at the same time each day.
It can be taken before or after meals, which ever you find preferable.
Side Effects
Taking medications of this type may result in unwanted side effects. In most cases the side effects range between unnoticeable and mild. You should consult your doctor if the following side effects are persistent or causing discomfort:
- cough
- dizziness
- headache
- excessive tiredness
- upset stomach
- diarrhea
- weakness
- sneezing
- runny nose
- decrease in sexual ability
- rash
Precautions
Before taking Prinivil/Lisinopril:
- tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to lisinopril, enalapril (Vasotec), benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), trandolapril (Mavik), or any other medications.
- tell your doctor or pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as indomethacin (Indocin); diuretics ('water pills'); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); and potassium supplements. Your doctor may change the doses of your medications or monitor you more carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart or kidney disease; diabetes; lupus; scleroderma; or angioedema, a condition that causes difficulty swallowing or breathing and painful swelling of the the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs.
tell your doctor if you plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.
