This article describes possible interactions with lisinopril oral tablet. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
Boxed warning: Risk of fetal harm
Lisinopril has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
See the end of this article for more information about this warning.
Other drugs and lisinopril
The drugs in the list below may interact with lisinopril oral tablet. This article doesn’t include all medications that can cause interactions with lisinopril.
Drug classes or drugs that may interact with lisinopril oral tablet include:
- diuretics, also called water pills:
- drug examples: furosemide (Lasix), spironolactone (Aldactone, Carospir)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of lisinopril or the diuretic medication
- antidiabetics (drugs used to treat diabetes):
- drug examples: insulin glargine (Lantus), glipizide (Glucotrol XL)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of the antidiabetic medication
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):
- drug examples: ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Naprosyn)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of lisinopril and the NSAID
- angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors other than lisinopril:
- drug examples: ramipril (Altace), quinapril
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of lisinopril and the other ACE inhibitor
- angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs):
- drug examples: valsartan (Diovan), losartan (Cozaar)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of lisinopril and the ARB medication
- injectable gold salts:
- example: auranofin (Ridaura)
- what might happen: can cause a nitritoid reaction, which may lead to flushing of the face, nausea, vomiting, and low blood pressure
- aliskiren (Tekturna):
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of lisinopril and aliskiren
- lithium (Lithobid):
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of lithium
- mTor inhibitors:
- drug examples: sirolimus (Rapamune, others), everolimus (Zortress, Afinitor)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of lisinopril and the mTOR inhibitor medication
- sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto):
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of lisinopril and Entresto
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When to avoid lisinopril
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with lisinopril oral tablet. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe lisinopril in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a list of contraindications for lisinopril oral tablet:
- Hereditary or idiopathic angioedema: If you have angioedema that’s either hereditary (due to a genetic cause) or idiopathic (due to an unknown cause), taking lisinopril oral tablet may cause an angioedema attack. (With angioedema, you experience swelling in tissues, such as in your airways. This can make it difficult to breathe and may be life threatening.)
- Taking sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto): If you use Entresto, taking lisinopril oral tablet raises your risk of angioedema as a side effect of either drug.
- Past allergic reaction to lisinopril: If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to lisinopril oral tablet, taking it again may cause another allergic reaction.
Before you start taking lisinopril, tell your doctor if any of the contraindications listed above relate to you. They can recommend whether you should use lisinopril.
Alcohol and lisinopril
Lisinopril oral tablet is known to interact with alcohol. Lisinopril interactions with alcohol aren’t unique, either. This interaction with drinking alcohol applies when taking any blood pressure medication.
Drinking alcohol in excess can raise your blood pressure. According to the American Heart Association, consuming as little as one drink per day may increase your risk of high blood pressure. Keep in mind that lisinopril is prescribed to treat high blood pressure. Alcohol doesn’t affect lisinopril directly, but drinking it can raise your blood pressure. This may make it seem like lisinopril isn’t working to treat your high blood pressure.
There isn’t as much research regarding the effects of alcohol and congestive heart failure, another condition lisinopril is used to treat. But your doctor may suggest limiting or avoiding alcohol consumption depending on the severity of your heart failure.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it while taking lisinopril oral tablet.
Other interactions and lisinopril
Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether lisinopril oral tablet has these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible lisinopril interactions with supplements.
Lisinopril and supplements
Before taking lisinopril oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid interactions.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Lisinopril interactions with herbs
Lisinopril oral tablet may interact with herbs that increase the potassium level in your blood. Herbal supplements that can increase potassium include alfalfa, dandelion, and horsetail. This is not a complete list of supplements that can increase potassium.
Taking lisinopril and an herbal supplement that raises potassium may lead to a high potassium level in your blood.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any herbal supplement while using lisinopril oral tablet.
Lisinopril interactions with vitamins and minerals
Lisinopril oral tablet may interact with potassium supplements, such as potassium chloride. This mineral is often used to support a healthy potassium level. Lisinopril may also interact with multivitamins that contain a high amount of potassium.
Taking lisinopril and a potassium supplement may lead to a high potassium level in your blood.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking lisinopril oral tablet.
Lisinopril and food
Lisinopril interactions with food include foods high in potassium and potassium salt substitutes.
Taking lisinopril can raise the amount of potassium in your system. Using a potassium salt substitute can also raise your potassium level. Combining these two could result in a high potassium level in your blood.
Foods high in potassium include bananas, potatoes (including sweet potatoes), and spinach. You likely won’t need to avoid these foods while taking lisinopril. Your doctor will likely monitor your blood potassium level during treatment, and they can advise whether you should make any dietary changes based on your test results.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid while taking lisinopril oral tablet.
Lisinopril and vaccines
Lisinopril oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while using lisinopril oral tablet.
Lisinopril and lab tests
Lisinopril oral tablet isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests while taking lisinopril oral tablet.
Lisinopril and cannabis or CBD
Lisinopril oral tablet isn’t known to interact with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But this doesn’t mean interactions can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
As with any drug or supplement, tell your doctor before taking cannabis with lisinopril.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Health factors and lisinopril
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with lisinopril oral tablet. Keep in mind that interactions could lead to side effects or affect how well the drug works. Before using lisinopril, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether lisinopril is right for you.
These health conditions or other factors might interact with lisinopril oral tablet:
Preventing lisinopril interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with lisinopril oral tablet. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Other medications and herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while taking lisinopril oral tablet.
Taking lisinopril exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about lisinopril and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- Are lisinopril interactions similar to those caused by other ACE inhibitor drugs, such as ramipril?
- What blood pressure medications are safe to take together with lisinopril?
- If I take lisinopril and have certain health conditions, will I be monitored more closely during treatment?
- Should I let you know if I make lifestyle changes, such as to my diet or exercise routine?
Boxed warning for lisinopril
Lisinopril has a boxed warning for the risk of fetal harm. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
If taken during pregnancy, lisinopril can cause problems with fetal development (also called birth defects) or even pregnancy loss.
Due to this risk, doctors typically won’t prescribe the drug if you’re pregnant. If you’re considering becoming pregnant, your doctor can review other treatments for your condition that may be safer to use during pregnancy.
If you become pregnant while taking lisinopril, immediately stop taking it and contact your doctor.
To learn more, talk with your doctor.
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.
