Lisinopril

Medically reviewed by Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD on April 23, 2023
Written by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA

This article describes lisinopril oral tablet’s uses and dosage, ways to save on cost, and more. Below you’ll find coupon options for lisinopril.

Boxed warning: Risks if taken during pregnancy

Lisinopril has a boxed warning about risks if taken during pregnancy. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Pregnancy or breastfeeding and lisinopril” section below.

Lisinopril may cause mild or serious side effects (also known as adverse effects). More common mild side effects of lisinopril oral tablets and their serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age and overall health and any other medications you take.

To learn more about lisinopril oral tablet’s side effects, see this article or ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information for lisinopril oral tablet.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with lisinopril oral tablets are listed below.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Lisinopril oral tablet’s mild side effects include:

• cough
• headache
• dizziness, especially when standing up
• weakness
• dry mouth
• digestive side effects, including constipation, diarrhea, and flatulence
• fatigue (low energy)
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Warnings for lisinopril” section below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of lisinopril oral tablets are listed below. With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common.

If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Lisinopril oral tablet’s serious side effects include:

• blood cell problems, including low white blood cell count
• high blood potassium level
• kidney problems, including sudden kidney failure
• liver problems, including inflammation in your liver and liver failure
• low blood pressure

• boxed warning: risks if taken during pregnancy*
• severe allergic reaction†

* For details about this side effect, see the “Pregnancy or breastfeeding and lisinopril” section below.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Warnings for lisinopril” section below.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about lisinopril oral tablets.

How does lisinopril compare with other similar drugs, such as amlodipine, losartan, and hydrochlorothiazide?

Similar to lisinopril, amlodipine, losartan, and hydrochlorothiazide are used to treat high blood pressure. However, they belong to different groups of drugs. This means they work in different ways to lower blood pressure. They may also cause different side effects.

Some of these drugs are used to treat other conditions. For example, amlodipine is prescribed to treat coronary artery disease in adults.

Another drug used to treat high blood pressure is metoprolol. It belongs to a group of drugs called beta-blockers.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re interested in learning more about how these drugs compare.

Does lisinopril cause long-term side effects?

Yes, in some cases, lisinopril oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. Examples include:

• cough, which may start after you’ve been taking lisinopril for a long time and continue until lisinopril treatment is stopped
• kidney problems, including sudden kidney failure, which could require long-term treatment
• liver problems, including inflammation in your liver and liver failure, which could require long-term treatment

Long-term side can occur at any time, including after taking the drug for a long time. They also include side effects that may last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to best manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of lisinopril may last.

How does lisinopril work? And how long does it take to start working?

Lisinopril is a kind of drug called an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It works by blocking the actions of ACE (a kind of protein in your blood). This leads to less angiotensin II (a hormone that increases blood pressure) in your body. With less angiotensin II, your blood pressure lowers. This can also have positive effects on organs, such as your heart and kidneys.

Lisinopril begins working with your first dose. But it may take several weeks before the drug starts to fully take effect.  

If you have questions about what to expect with lisinopril treatment, talk with your doctor.

Is there a best time of day to take lisinopril? What should I do if I miss a dose of lisinopril?

There’s no one best time of day to take lisinopril. Take your doses according to your doctor’s instructions.

If you miss a lisinopril dose, try and take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose as usual at the scheduled time. Do not take more than one dose of lisinopril at once.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about when to take lisinopril.

Can lisinopril tablets be crushed, split, or chewed?

Lisinopril’s drugmaker hasn’t stated whether the tablets can be crushed, split, or chewed. Do not crush, split, or chew the tablets without first talking with your pharmacist or doctor.

Your doctor or pharmacist may recommend tips for swallowing pills. Or they may suggest another treatment option for you instead. For example, they may prescribe Qbrelis, which is a liquid solution form of lisinopril. It’s used for the same conditions as lisinopril oral tablets.

Is lisinopril a blood thinner?

No, lisinopril isn’t a blood thinner. Blood thinners are drugs that work to help prevent blood cells from sticking together in your heart and blood vessels. Lisinopril is a kind of drug called an ACE inhibitor. (To learn more about how lisinopril works, see “How does lisinopril work?” just above.)

Lisinopril may be prescribed together with a blood thinner, such as warfarin (Jantoven), to help reduce the risk of a heart attack. For example, after a heart attack, your doctor may prescribe both lisinopril and a blood thinner. This is because, similar to lisinopril, blood thinners can help lower the risk of having another heart attack.

If you have questions about taking blood thinners with lisinopril, talk with your doctor.

The dosage of lisinopril oral tablet your doctor prescribes may vary based on your condition and certain other factors. Talk with your doctor about the dosage you should take.

Taking lisinopril

Lisinopril oral tablet is swallowed. It can be taken with or without food.

Your doctor will talk with you about how to take lisinopril oral tablets. They’ll explain how much to take and how often. Always follow your doctor’s recommendation.

See the “Common questions about lisinopril” section for information on missed doses and the best time to take this drug.

Overdose of lisinopril

You should not take more lisinopril than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to serious side effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much lisinopril, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as lisinopril for certain conditions. Approved uses for lisinopril oral tablets are described below.

Use for certain cardiovascular problems

Doctors may prescribe lisinopril oral tablet for certain cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) problems. It’s used to:

• Treat high blood pressure, in adults and children ages 6 years and older. High blood pressure often doesn’t cause symptoms unless it suddenly becomes extremely high. But, over time, high blood pressure can negatively affect your organs. It can increase your risk of certain health problems, including heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
• Treat heart failure in adults. With heart failure, your heart isn’t strong enough to properly pump blood throughout your body. This prevents your body’s cells and organs from getting enough nutrients, which means your body cannot function properly. Symptoms of heart failure include fatigue (low energy) and shortness of breath, especially when lying down. It also includes unexplained weight gain, often over a short period of time, and swelling in your belly, ankles, or feet.
• Help lower the risk of death following a heart attack in adults. A heart attack is a life threatening medical emergency that requires immediate medical treatment. Lisinopril is used within 24 hours following a heart attack to help lower the risk of death. It’s used with other heart attack drugs for this purpose. These include aspirin or beta-blockers such as metoprolol (Toprol XL). It also includes drugs that break up blood clots, such as alteplase (Activase). (Blood clots are what cause heart attacks.)

Lisinopril oral tablet is usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

For some medications, certain things may affect how the drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take lisinopril, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. They can check for interactions these items may cause with lisinopril. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription drugs
• over-the-counter medications
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for lisinopril” section below.

Lisinopril should not be taken by certain people. And some peopleshould take lisinopril cautiously. Precautions for taking this drug are described below.

Boxed warning: Risks if taken during pregnancy

Lisinopril has a boxed warning about risks if taken during pregnancy. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Pregnancy or breastfeeding and lisinopril” section below.

Other warnings

Lisinopril could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether lisinopril oral tablets are a safe option for you.

Tell your doctor about your overall health and any past health conditions before you take lisinopril oral tablets. Health conditions and other factors you and your doctor should discuss include:

• coronary heart disease
• type 1 or type 2 diabetes
• high blood potassium level
• kidney conditions, such as chronic kidney disease
• liver conditions, such as alcohol-related liver disease
• low blood sodium level
• certain kinds of angioedema*
• past allergic reaction, including angioedema, to another angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor drug in the past*

* Doctors usually won’t prescribe lisinopril to people with this condition. Talk with your doctor to learn more about other treatment options that may be safer for you.

Allergic reaction

Lisinopril can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to lisinopril or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe lisinopril. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to lisinopril, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Information about lisinopril and pregnancy and breastfeeding is below.

Lisinopril and pregnancy

Lisinopril oral tablet should not be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may suggest birth control options to use during treatment with lisinopril.

Risks if taken during pregnancy

Lisinopril has a boxed warning about risks if taken during pregnancy. Boxed warnings are serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Lisinopril works by acting on the renin-angiotensin system (a body system that manages your blood pressure and fluids). If lisinopril is taken during pregnancy, it can cause pregnancy loss. It can also cause problems with fetal development (commonly known as birth defects).

If you become pregnant while taking lisinopril, immediately stop taking the drug and contact your doctor. If you are taking lisinopril and are considering pregnancy, talk with your doctor. They can review other treatments for your condition that may be safer for you during pregnancy.

To learn more about this risk, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Lisinopril and breastfeeding

Lisinopril oral tablets should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with lisinopril.

You may be able to save money on your prescription for lisinopril oral tablet by using our Perks discount coupons. These can be found at the end of this article.

If you have questions about how to pay for lisinopril, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You can also learn more about the cost of lisinopril in this article.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

This article describes lisinopril oral tablet’s uses and dosage, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about lisinopril or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Do females* experience different side effects versus males* when taking lisinopril?
• If I have side effects from lisinopril, but it’s working to treat my condition, can you prescribe me a lower dose?
• How does lisinopril compare with other drugs that may treat my condition?
• How much water should I drink to stay hydrated while taking lisinopril?

* Sex and gender exist on spectrums. In this article, we use the terms “female” and “male” to refer to a person’s sex assigned at birth.

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Lisinopril- lisinopril tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/d81deeaf-7e5e-44c5-9348-5923c4e3ccd6/spl-doc
• Whelton PK, et al. (2022). Harmonization of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association and European Society of Cardiology/European Society of Hypertension Blood Pressure/Hypertension Guidelines: Comparisons, reflections, and recommendations. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.121.054602

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.