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Zestril Medication (Lisinopril) - Uses & Side Effects

Generic Name: Lisinopril

LISINOPRIL (Prinivil®, Zestril®) is an antihypertensive known as an ACE inhibitor. Lisinopril controls high blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels. High blood pressure levels can damage your kidneys, and may lead to a stroke or heart failure. Lisinopril also helps to treat patients with heart failure (heart does not pump strongly enough). You can say lisinopril is an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. Angiotensin is a chemical that is made by the body continuously. It narrows blood vessels and thereby maintains blood pressure. When the enzyme is blocked by lisinopril, angiotensin cannot be converted into its active form. As a result, blood pressure falls.

Zestril Dosage

• For high blood pressure, the initial starting dose is usually 10 milligrams, taken 1 time a day. Your doctor may also increase the dosage until your blood pressure is under contro.
• For the treatment of heart failure, Zestril is usually prescribed along with diuretics and digitalis. The usual starting dose is 5 milligrams once a day. The doctor may increase the dose by up to 10 milligrams at intervals of no less than 2 weeks.

Uses of Zestril

• It is used to treat high blood pressure in adults and in children 6 years of age and older.
• This medication is also used after an acute heart attack to improve survival, and is used with other drugs such as includes "water pills"/diuretics, digoxin to treat congestive heart failure.
• This medication may also be used to help protect the kidneys from damage due to diabetes.

Side Effects of Zestril

If you are using Zestril, then discuss the side effects of Zestril with your doctor and if you feel any change in intensity, then tell your doctor immediately. Because only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Zestril. Side effects of Zestril may include:

• Faster than normal heart beat
• Dry mouth
• Changes in mood
• Impotence
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Alteration in taste
• Chest pain (angina)
• Difficulty in breathing (dyspnoea)
• Disorders of the blood, kidney or liver
• Decreased kidney function

Warnings and precautions before taking Zestril:

• If you are taking this medicine, then you may feel dizziness, sleepy etc. So you should avoid performing potentially hazardous tasks such as driving or operating machinary.
• Stop taking this medicine and consult your doctor immediately if you develop any change in the intensity such as including breathing or swallowing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, feet or ankles while taking this medicine.
• You should tell doctor your medical history, especially if you have kidney disease, liver disease, high blood levels of potassium, heart problems, severe dehydration, diabetes, strokes, blood vessel disease, before using this medication.
• Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.

Drug Interaction:- If you are taking certain drugs with Zestril, then it may be increased, decreased, or altered the effects of Zestril. So it is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Zestril with the following:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as indomethacin (Indocin)
• Lithium (Lithonate, Eskalith)
• Potassium preparations such as K-Phos and Micro-K
• Water pills such as HydroDIURIL and Lasix, and others that leave potassium in the body, such as Aldactone and Midamor

Overdose

A severe drop in blood pressure is the primary sign of a lisinopril overdose. But after taking Zestril, If you feel that overdose is suspected, then contact with your doctor immediately. Symptoms of Zestril overdose may includes:

• unusually fast or slow heartbeat
• severe dizziness
• fainting