This article describes possible side effects (also known as adverse effects) of lisinopril oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for lisinopril.
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.
You can explore this overview article to learn more about lisinopril oral tablet, including the drug’s uses, dosage, and more.
Boxed warning: Risks of fetal harm if used during pregnancy
Lisinopril has a boxed warning for risks of fetal harm if used during pregnancy. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For details, see “Lisinopril and pregnancy” in the “Warnings for lisinopril” section below.
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.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of lisinopril in detail” section below.
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 (low energy)
- weakness
- hair loss or thinning
- changes in vision, such as blurry or double vision
- change in sense of taste or smell
- dry mouth
- tinnitus (ringing or buzzing in the ears)
- erectile dysfunction (inability to have an erection)
- cough*
- gastrointestinal (digestive) side effects*
- mild allergic reaction*
Lisinopril oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of lisinopril in detail” section below.
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)*
- severe allergic reaction*
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of lisinopril in detail” section below.
Common questions about side effects of lisinopril
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of lisinopril oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How do the side effects of lisinopril in men compare with those seen in women?
In general, lisinopril oral tablets can cause the same side effects in males* and females* taking the medication. But in females, 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 below.
In males, lisinopril can cause erectile dysfunction (ED). (With ED, you’re unable to have an erection.) Keep in mind that the conditions lisinopril treats can also cause ED in males. Sexual side effects haven’t been reported in females taking lisinopril.
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.
* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.
Can lisinopril cause long-term side effects?
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.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of lisinopril in detail” section below.
† For information about the serious side effects of lisinopril, see the “Serious side effects of lisinopril” section above.
If I take lisinopril with other blood pressure medications, such as hydrochlorothiazide or amlodipine, will I experience certain side effects?
It’s possible to experience certain side effects if you take lisinopril with other blood pressure medications.
Lisinopril lowers your blood pressure. If you take it with other medications that lower your blood pressure, your blood pressure could fall too low. This could cause symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. If you feel dizzy or faint while taking lisinopril with another blood pressure medication, talk with your doctor. They may need to adjust the dosages* of your blood pressure medications.
Also, if you take lisinopril with certain types of blood pressure medications, this could increase your risk of other side effects. For example, taking lisinopril with a diuretic medication such as hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide) could increase your risk of kidney problems. And taking it with an angiotensin receptor blocker drug such as valsartan (Diovan) could increase your risk of kidney problems and hyperkalemia (high blood potassium level).†
If your doctor prescribes lisinopril with another blood pressure medication, they’ll monitor you for side effects.
* To learn about the dosages of lisinopril oral tablet, see this article.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Side effects of lisinopril in detail” section below.
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.
Is weight gain a side effect of lisinopril?
No, weight gain is not known to be a side effect of lisinopril oral tablet. Weight gain wasn’t reported in studies of lisinopril. 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.
Does discontinuing (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.
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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. This is a common side effect of all angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor drugs, including 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 get a cough with lisinopril, it’s usually a tickly, dry cough (cough without phlegm or mucus). You may develop a cough soon after you start taking lisinopril. Or you may get a cough after you’ve been taking the medication for a few months or longer. For some people, the cough may not go away unless lisinopril treatment is stopped.
Ways to manage
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.
Ways to manage
If you have symptoms of pancreatitis while taking lisinopril, see your doctor right away. This condition may need to be treated in the hospital.
If you have bothersome gastrointestinal side effects while taking lisinopril, talk with your doctor. They may recommend taking an over-the-counter medication to relieve your symptoms.
If you have diarrhea with lisinopril, be sure to drink plenty of fluids to avoid getting dehydrated. Dehydration can increase your risk of high blood potassium levels and kidney problems with lisinopril.
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. Your risk may also increase if you take potassium supplements or use salt substitutes that contain potassium.
Certain other medications can also increase the risk of hyperkalemia. These include potassium-sparing diuretics, such as spironolactone (Aldactone), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
Ways to manage
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.
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.
Symptoms can be mild or serious and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to swallow or breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
- abdominal (belly) pain
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your 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 trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to lisinopril oral tablet, your doctor may recommend you take a different medication instead.
