Lisinopril oral tablet side effects: A detailed guide

Key takeaways

• Lisinopril can cause both mild and serious side effects, ranging from a dry cough and gastrointestinal issues to allergic reactions and high potassium levels. Managing these side effects often involves simple remedies, but some may require medical intervention.
• Certain pre-existing conditions, such as kidney problems, diabetes, and low blood pressure, can increase the risk of side effects from Lisinopril, necessitating careful monitoring and potential dose adjustments by a healthcare professional.
• Lisinopril carries a boxed warning due to the risk of fetal harm during pregnancy, and it is generally not recommended during breastfeeding. People who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding should discuss alternative treatment options with their doctor.

Overview

This article describes possible side effects (also known as adverse effects) of lisinopril oral tablet. You can explore this overview article to learn more about lisinopril, including the drug’s uses, dosage, and more

Lisinopril oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Zestril. Lisinopril also comes in other forms taken by mouth, but these forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.

Lisinopril has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see “Lisinopril and pregnancy” in the “Warnings for lisinopril” section.

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More common side effects of lisinopril

Below are some of the more common side effects of lisinopril oral tablet that occurred during the drug’s studies. The more common side effects varied based on the condition being treated.

More common side effects in people taking lisinopril oral tablet for high blood pressure include:

• headache
• dizziness
• cough

More common side effects in people taking lisinopril oral tablet for heart failure include:

• low blood pressure
• chest pain

The most common side effect in people taking lisinopril oral tablet to improve survival after a heart attack was low blood pressure.

Mild side effects of lisinopril

Lisinopril oral tablet may cause certain mild side effects. Typically, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Mild side effects of lisinopril oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• headache
• chest pain
• dizziness, especially when getting up
• fatigue and weakness
• hair loss or thinning
• changes in vision, such as blurry or double vision
• change in sense of taste or smell
• tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears)
• cough
• gastrointestinal (digestive) side effects

Lisinopril oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.

Serious side effects of lisinopril

Lisinopril oral tablet may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from lisinopril oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911, or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with lisinopril oral tablet.

Serious side effects of lisinopril oral tablet that occurred in studies include:

• low blood pressure
• kidney problems, such as acute (sudden) kidney failure
• liver problems, such as hepatitis (liver inflammation) or liver failure
• blood cell problems, such as low white blood cell counts
• hyperkalemia (high blood potassium level)

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Allergic reaction

For some people, lisinopril oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction, especially angioedema (sudden, severe swelling under the skin). Allergic reaction was rarely reported in studies of the drug.

For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call a doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know if you should keep taking the medication.

For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening.

Common questions about the side effects of lisinopril

Here are answers to some common questions about the side effects of lisinopril oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Are lisinopril’s side effects different depending on gender?

In general, lisinopril oral tablets can cause the same side effects regardless of your gender. But if you can become pregnant, you should know that lisinopril can cause fetal harm if taken during pregnancy. Lisinopril has a boxed warning about this side effect. For details, see the “Warnings for lisinopril” section.

In people with penises, lisinopril can cause erectile dysfunction (ED). With ED, you’re unable to get an erection. Keep in mind that the conditions lisinopril treats can also cause ED.

If you have new or worsened ED while taking lisinopril, talk with your doctor. They may suggest taking a medication for ED, such as sildenafil (Viagra). Or they may recommend switching to a different treatment for your condition.

Are there any long-term side effects of lisinopril?

Yes, lisinopril oral tablets can sometimes cause long-term side effects.

Most of lisinopril’s mild side effects ease in a few days or weeks as your body gets used to the medication. But if you get a cough with lisinopril, this may not go away until after you stop taking the medication. In studies, a cough was one of the more common side effects reported in people who took lisinopril for high blood pressure.

If you have serious side effects with lisinopril, these usually go away quickly if you stop taking the medication. But if you have kidney or liver problems while taking lisinopril, these could last a long time after stopping treatment. You may be more likely to develop problems with your kidney or liver function if you take lisinopril for a long time.

If you’re concerned about the risk of long-term side effects with lisinopril, talk with your doctor.

Does lisinopril cause weight gain?

No, lisinopril isn’t known to cause weight gain as a side effect. Weight gain wasn’t reported in studies of lisinopril oral tablet. And weight gain hasn’t been reported with the drug since it’s been available for use.

If you have weight gain while taking lisinopril, there could be many reasons for this. For example, if you take lisinopril for heart failure and have sudden weight gain, this could be a sign of worsening heart failure. Changes to your diet or activity levels could also lead to weight gain.

Weight changes have also been reported with various other blood pressure medications that you may be prescribed with lisinopril, such as amlodipine (Norvasc).

If you have weight gain while taking lisinopril, talk with your doctor. They can help determine the possible cause. They can also recommend ways to maintain a weight that’s healthy for you.

Do the different strengths of lisinopril, such as 10 mg or 20 mg, cause different side effects?

No, all strengths of lisinopril can cause the same side effects. But, as with many medications, higher doses of lisinopril may be more likely to cause side effects than lower doses. For example, side effects may be more common with a 40-milligram (mg) or 20-mg dose than with a 10-mg or 5-mg dose. 

Keep in mind that other factors can also affect your risk of side effects with lisinopril. These include your age, kidney function, and other medications you take.

If you’re concerned about your risk of side effects with the lisinopril dose you’re prescribed, talk with your doctor. To learn about the dosages of lisinopril oral tablet, see this article.

Does stopping lisinopril cause certain side effects?

No, stopping lisinopril shouldn’t cause side effects. However, after you stop taking lisinopril, it will no longer be effective in lowering your blood pressure. This could increase your risk of a heart attack and stroke. If you have heart failure, it could worsen your heart failure symptoms.

You should not stop taking lisinopril without talking with your doctor first. Be sure to talk with your doctor if you’d like to stop treatment with lisinopril.

Side effects of lisinopril in detail

Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of lisinopril oral tablet.

Cough

A cough may occur while taking lisinopril. In studies, a cough was one of the most common side effects reported by people who took lisinopril for high blood pressure.

If you develop a cough with lisinopril, it can sometimes help to take frequent sips of water.

If the cough is bothersome or doesn’t go away, talk with your doctor. They may recommend switching to a different medication for your condition. In this case, the cough should go away within a few days. Your doctor won’t usually switch you to a different ACE inhibitor drug because the cough may come back.

Gastrointestinal side effects

Some people may have gastrointestinal (digestive) side effects with lisinopril. These side effects were not common in studies of lisinopril.

Gastrointestinal side effects that were reported include constipation, diarrhea, and flatulence (gas). It also includes pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Pancreatitis can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fever, and upper belly pain that may spread to your back.

If you have symptoms of pancreatitis while taking lisinopril, see your doctor right away. This condition may need treatment in the hospital.

If you have bothersome gastrointestinal side effects while taking lisinopril, you may be able to try over-the-counter and natural remedies to manage your symptoms. If you have diarrhea with lisinopril, be sure to drink plenty of fluids to avoid getting dehydrated.

Hyperkalemia

Hyperkalemia (high blood potassium level) may occur during lisinopril treatment. But in studies, this side effect wasn’t common.

Hyperkalemia can be mild or severe, and it doesn’t usually cause symptoms. But if your potassium level becomes very high, this can be serious. It could cause symptoms such as:

• nausea and vomiting
• muscle weakness
• muscle cramps
• numbness or tingling in your hands or feet
• heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat

You may be more likely to develop hyperkalemia with lisinopril if you have kidney problems or diabetes or become dehydrated. To help prevent hyperkalemia while taking lisinopril, you can:

• avoid using salt substitutes containing potassium
• drink enough water to avoid dehydration
• ask your doctor whether you should follow a low potassium diet
• check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medications or supplements

Your doctor will likely order blood tests to monitor your potassium levels while you take lisinopril. If you develop symptoms of hyperkalemia, see your doctor right away to get your potassium levels checked.

If you have hyperkalemia, you’ll likely need treatment to correct your potassium level. If you have mildly increased potassium, your doctor may prescribe medication to help your body get rid of excess potassium. But if your potassium level is very high, you may need dialysis or treatment in a hospital.

Warnings for lisinopril

Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking lisinopril oral tablet.

Boxed warning: Risks of use during pregnancy

Lisinopril has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm if used during pregnancy. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Lisinopril and pregnancy” section.

Lisinopril and pregnancy

Lisinopril has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm if used during pregnancy. A boxed warning is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It alerts doctors and patients about side effects that could be dangerous.

Lisinopril is not safe to take during pregnancy. If taken during the second or third trimesters of pregnancy (after week 12), lisinopril can harm the developing fetus. It can affect the kidneys, lungs, bones, and blood pressure of the developing fetus and can cause pregnancy loss.

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, your doctor will likely recommend that you do not take lisinopril. Talk with them about other medications that may be safer for treating your condition while you’re pregnant.

If you become pregnant while taking lisinopril, see your doctor right away. They’ll likely have you switch to a different treatment.

Lisinopril and breastfeeding

It’s not known if lisinopril passes into breast milk. However, if it does, it could cause serious side effects in a child who is breastfed.

Due to the possible risks, your doctor will likely recommend that you do not breastfeed while taking lisinopril. Talk with them about other healthy ways to feed your child.

If you’re breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about taking safer treatment options while breastfeeding.

Other warnings

It may not be safe for you to take lisinopril oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug–condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether lisinopril oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.

Before taking lisinopril oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and the medications you take. Things to consider include those listed below:

• angioedema (swelling under the skin)
• allergic reaction
• kidney problems
• hypotension (low blood pressure)
• diabetes

Related articles

• Lisinopril alternatives
• Is Lisinopril a beta blocker?
• How does lisinopril lower blood pressure?
• Lisinopril tablet interactions
• Lisinopril tablet dosage

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.