Lisinopril
Pronunciation: Not available in reviewed source.
- Generic name
- lisinopril
- Drug class
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
- Form
- Tablet
- Route
- Oral
- Legal status
- Prescription-only medicine
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: United States · Canada
Australia: · Full directory
What lisinopril is and how it works
Lisinopril is an oral angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used to treat hypertension, heart failure, and to improve survival after a heart attack (acute myocardial infarction). (1)
It is a prescription medicine; the correct dose and monitoring depend on the treated condition, kidney function, and other patient factors. A clinician must determine eligibility.
Mechanism of action: how lisinopril works
Lisinopril is an ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor. (1)
What lisinopril is used for
Hypertension
Lisinopril is used to lower high blood pressure in adults and in children 6 years and older. (1)
Heart failure
It is used as an add-on (adjunctive) therapy for the management of systolic heart failure in adults. (1)
Acute myocardial infarction
Lisinopril is used to reduce the risk of death in hemodynamically stable patients within 24 hours of an acute myocardial infarction. (1)
Before taking lisinopril
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Tell your prescriber if you have ever had angioedema (swelling of the face, tongue, throat, or limbs) with an ACE inhibitor; the label lists this as a contraindication and your prescriber will confirm whether lisinopril is appropriate for you. (all uses) (1)
- Tell your prescriber if you have hereditary or idiopathic angioedema; the label lists this as a contraindication. (all uses) (1)
- Tell your prescriber if you take aliskiren and have diabetes; concurrent use is contraindicated and your prescriber will advise on your regimen. (all uses) (1)
- Tell your prescriber if you take a neprilysin inhibitor (e.g., sacubitril); co-administration is contraindicated due to increased angioedema risk, and your prescriber will manage any transition between these medicines. (all uses) (1)
- Lisinopril carries a boxed warning that it can cause fetal injury and death, particularly during the second and third trimesters. Tell your clinician immediately if you are, may be, or are planning to become pregnant. (all uses) (1)
Tell your clinician about
- If you have any history of angioedema, heart problems, kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, or volume depletion (e.g., from diuretic use).
- If you are taking other blood pressure medicines, diuretics (water pills), potassium supplements, lithium, NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen), ARBs (e.g., valsartan), or aliskiren.
- If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
- About any planned surgery or dental procedures; the treating clinician will advise whether any treatment change is needed.
- If you are on a low-salt diet or have been told you have high potassium.
How to take lisinopril
- Take lisinopril by mouth once daily, exactly as prescribed. The dose and timing depend on the condition being treated and your kidney function.
- Try to take it at the same time each day.
- If you are starting lisinopril for hypertension and already taking a diuretic, your clinician decides on the starting dose (the label supports a lower starting dose in this situation).
- Any decision about stopping or changing lisinopril is made by your clinician.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1)
Missed dose
Follow the exact product instructions and do not double a dose.
Overdose
Not established from the sources reviewed: no specific overdose-management protocol beyond general supportive-care principles was found in the sources reviewed for this page.
Side effects
Side effects vary depending on the treated condition. The most common side effects reported in clinical trials are listed below.
Headache
What to notice: Headache
What to do: Tell your clinician if it is severe or persistent. (1)
Dizziness
What to notice: Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
What to do: Contact your clinician if falls occur or if dizziness is bothersome. (1)
Cough
What to notice: Persistent dry cough
What to do: Contact your clinician if the cough is troublesome; they will advise on next steps. (1)
Hypotension (low blood pressure)
What to notice: Not established from the sources reviewed: a specific patient-facing symptom description was not established in the sources reviewed for this page beyond the reaction name itself.
What to do: Contact your prescriber; in heart failure and post-heart attack, low blood pressure is common. (1)
Chest pain
What to notice: Not established from the sources reviewed: a specific patient-facing symptom description was not established in the sources reviewed for this page beyond the reaction name itself.
What to do: Tell your clinician about this; seek emergency help for any symptom you believe may be serious. (1)
Angioedema
What to notice: Swelling of the face, extremities, lips, tongue, glottis, and/or larynx have been reported.
What to do: Seek emergency medical care immediately; this can be life-threatening. (1)
Jaundice or liver problems
What to do: Contact your prescriber promptly; liver enzyme elevation can occur. (1)
Signs of infection (possible leukopenia)
What to do: Contact your prescriber for evaluation. (1)
Serious warnings
Pregnancy — critical
Symptoms: Lisinopril can cause fetal injury and death, especially during the second and third trimesters. If pregnancy is detected, prompt medical advice is needed.
Action: Contact your clinician immediately so they can advise on appropriate discontinuation and alternative management. (1)
Angioedema — emergency
Symptoms: Swelling of the face, extremities, lips, tongue, glottis, and/or larynx have been reported.
Action: Seek emergency medical care immediately. Angioedema can occur at any time during treatment. (1)
Severe hypotension — high
Action: Seek urgent medical attention; a dose adjustment or change in background therapy may be required. (1)
Interactions
| Medicine or test | Effect | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Diuretics (water pills) | Increased risk of excessive blood pressure reduction, especially after the first dose. | Your clinician may start you on a lower dose of lisinopril. (1) |
| NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen) | May reduce the blood-pressure-lowering effect and increase the risk of kidney dysfunction. | Use only under medical advice; kidney function and blood pressure should be monitored closely. (1) |
| Potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, or salt substitutes | Increased risk of hyperkalemia (high potassium). | Serum potassium must be monitored; these combinations are used with caution. (1) |
| Lithium | Lithium toxicity may be increased. | Monitor lithium blood levels closely; dose adjustment may be needed. (1) |
| Dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin system (ARBs, aliskiren) | Increased risk of hyperkalemia, kidney injury, and low blood pressure. Concomitant use with aliskiren is contraindicated in patients with diabetes. | Give your prescriber or specialist a complete list of your medicines; they decide whether these combinations are appropriate, with close monitoring. (1) |
| Neprilysin inhibitors (e.g., sacubitril) | Increased risk of angioedema; co-administration is contraindicated. | Tell your prescriber about any neprilysin inhibitor use; co-administration is contraindicated and your prescriber will manage any transition. (1) |
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Pediatric patients (age 6 years and older)
Lisinopril is used for hypertension in children 6–16 years. The starting dose is 0.07 mg per kg (up to 5 mg total) once daily. (1)
Pregnancy
Lisinopril can cause fetal injury and death, particularly during the second and third trimesters. Contact your clinician immediately if pregnancy is detected; they will advise on treatment management. (1)
Lactation
Lisinopril appears in breast milk. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, breastfeeding is not recommended during lisinopril treatment. (1)
Patients with renal impairment
Dosage adjustment is required depending on creatinine clearance (CrCl). If CrCl is above 30 mL/min, no adjustment is needed. If below 30 mL/min, the prescriber reduces the starting dose to half the usual amount. For severe impairment (GFR under 10 mL/min or on hemodialysis), start at 2.5 mg daily. Close monitoring of kidney function is essential. (1)
Elderly patients (75 years and older)
No specific initial dosage adjustment is required, but the rate of treatment discontinuation due to renal dysfunction is higher. Kidney function should be monitored closely. (1)
Hepatic impairment
No specific dosage adjustment is provided; however, monitor for jaundice and elevated liver enzymes. (1)
Monitoring
Before starting
- Check blood pressure, serum potassium, creatinine, and BUN.
- Review concurrent medications, especially diuretics, NSAIDs, and potassium supplements.
During treatment
- Monitor blood pressure regularly.
- Periodically check serum potassium, creatinine, and BUN; more frequently in heart failure or renal impairment.
- Watch for signs of angioedema, jaundice, or infection.
- In diabetic patients, monitor blood glucose closely.
Storage
Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). Protect from moisture, freezing, and excessive heat. Dispense in a tight container.
Study the drug class: ACE inhibitors
Professional information
Clinician-facing summary based on the US FDA DailyMed label for lisinopril tablets. Always consult the full prescribing information and local guidelines.
United States
Indication: Hypertension
Dose summary: Adults: start 10 mg orally once daily; usual range 20–40 mg/day. If patient is already on a diuretic, start at 5 mg. Pediatric (6–16 years): initial 0.07 mg/kg up to 5 mg once daily.
Renal context: No dose adjustment for CrCl >30 mL/min. For CrCl <30 mL/min, reduce to half usual dose. For GFR <10 mL/min or hemodialysis: start 2.5 mg daily. (1)
United States
Indication: Heart failure
Dose summary: Start 5 mg once daily; titrate as tolerated to a maximum of 40 mg once daily. If hyponatremia is present, start at 2.5 mg.
Renal context: Same as hypertension: adjust for CrCl <30 mL/min; start at 2.5 mg for severe impairment. (1)
United States
Indication: Acute myocardial infarction
Dose summary: Give 5 mg within 24 hours of symptom onset, then 5 mg after 24 hours, 10 mg after 48 hours, and continue 10 mg once daily thereafter.
Renal context: Same as hypertension: adjust for CrCl <30 mL/min; start at 2.5 mg for severe impairment. (1)
Hepatic guidance
No specific dosage adjustment for hepatic impairment is provided in the label; monitor for jaundice and liver enzyme elevation.
Overdose note
Not established from the sources reviewed: no specific overdose-management protocol beyond general supportive-care principles was found in the sources reviewed for this page. (1)
Frequently asked questions
Can I take lisinopril during pregnancy?
Lisinopril carries a boxed warning that it can cause injury or death to the unborn baby, especially during the second and third trimesters. Contact your clinician immediately if you become pregnant; they will advise on treatment management. (1)
What are the common side effects of lisinopril?
Common side effects include headache, dizziness, and cough. In heart failure, low blood pressure and chest pain can occur. If side effects are bothersome, speak with your clinician. (1)
Can I take lisinopril with ibuprofen or other NSAIDs?
Using NSAIDs (like ibuprofen or naproxen) may reduce the blood pressure-lowering effect of lisinopril and increase the chance of kidney problems. Consult your clinician before combining these medicines. (1)
What is the mechanism of action of lisinopril?
Lisinopril is an ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitor. (1)
What is the generic name of Lisinopril?
The generic name is lisinopril. (1)
What class of drug is lisinopril?
Lisinopril is classed as: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. (1)
References
- LISINOPRIL tablet — prescribing informationU.S. National Library of Medicine, DailyMed · United States · dated 2026-08-05 · accessed 2026-08-05 · source 1
- LISINOPRIL TABLET [REMEDYREPACK INC.] — US prescribing information (DailyMed SPL)U.S. National Library of Medicine (DailyMed) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 2
- Lisinopril — patient drug information (MedlinePlus)U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 3
- Lisinopril and Hydrochlorothiazide — FDA approval record (Drugs@FDA ANDA076230)U.S. Food and Drug Administration · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 4
- lisinopril — RxNorm normalized drug concept (RXCUI 29046)U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) · US · accessed 2026-08-14 · source 5
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient lisinopril names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
United States
- Zestril10 mg, 40 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg · upsher-smith laboratories, llc
- Qbrelis1 mg/mL · azurity pharmaceuticals, inc.
Canada
- ZESTRIL
- PRINIVIL