Prinivil

Pronunciation: lye-SIN-oh-pril
Generic Name: Lisinopril
Brand Name: Examples include Prinivil and Zestril

Prinivil may cause injury or death to the fetus if taken during pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away.

Prinivil is used for:

Treating high blood pressure alone or with other medicines. It is used along with other medicines to manage heart failure or improve survival after a heart attack. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Prinivil is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It works by relaxing blood vessels. This helps to lower blood pressure.

Do NOT use Prinivil if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Prinivil


• you have a history of angioedema (swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness), including angioedema caused by treatment with an ACE inhibitor


• you are pregnant


• the patient is a CHILD with severe kidney problems

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Prinivil:

Some medical conditions may interact with Prinivil. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you are able to become pregnant


• if you have a history of heart problems (eg, heart failure, aortic stenosis), blood vessel problems, blood flow problems, bone marrow problems, or kidney problems (eg, renal artery stenosis)


• if you have a history of stroke, recent heart attack, or kidney transplant


• if you have an autoimmune disease (eg, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma)


• if you are dehydrated or have low blood volume


• if you have high blood potassium levels, low blood sodium levels, or are on a low-salt (sodium) diet


• if you have diabetes, especially if you are also taking aliskiren


• if you are on dialysis, or are scheduled to have major surgery or receive anesthesia


• if you are receiving treatments to reduce sensitivity to bee or wasp stings


• if you are taking another medicine to treat high blood pressure

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Prinivil. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Dextran sulfate, diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), or mTOR inhibitors (eg, everolimus, sirolimus) because they may increase the risk of Prinivil's side effects, such as low blood pressure or angioedema


• Angiotensin II receptor blockers (eg, valsartan) because the risk of serious kidney problems and high blood potassium levels may be increased


• Aldosterone blockers (eg, eplerenone), aliskiren, potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene), potassium supplements, or trimethoprim because the risk of high blood potassium levels may be increased


• Insulin or other oral diabetes medicines (eg, glyburide, metformin) because the risk of low blood sugar may be increased


• Certain gold-containing medicines (eg, sodium aurothiomalate) because flushing, nausea, vomiting, and low blood pressure may occur


• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen, indomethacin, celecoxib) because they may decrease Prinivil's effectiveness and the risk of kidney problems may be increased


• Lithium or thiopurines (eg, azathioprine) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Prinivil

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Prinivil may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Prinivil:

Use Prinivil as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Prinivil by mouth with or without food.


• Taking Prinivil at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.


• Drink plenty of fluids while taking Prinivil. Not drinking enough fluids or excessive sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting can lead to light-headedness or fainting.


• Continue to take Prinivil even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.


• If you miss a dose of Prinivil, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Prinivil.

Important safety information:

• Prinivil may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Prinivil with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Prinivil may cause a serious side effect called angioedema. The risk may be higher in black patients. Contact your doctor at once if you develop swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness.


• Prinivil may not work as well in black patients. Contact your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse.


• It may take 2 to 4 weeks to get the full benefit from Prinivil. Do not stop using Prinivil or change your dose of Prinivil without checking with your doctor.


• Prinivil may cause a dry, unproductive cough. If caused by Prinivil, this symptom usually stops after treatment with Prinivil is stopped.


• Dehydration, excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea may increase the risk of low blood pressure. Contact your health care provider at once if any of these occur.


• Prinivil may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Prinivil. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.


• Rarely, Prinivil may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. This risk may be greater if you have certain other health problems (eg, kidney problems, collagen vascular disease). Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.


• Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Prinivil before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.


• If you have high blood pressure, do not use nonprescription products that contain stimulants. These products may include diet pills or cold medicines. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.


• Diabetes patients- Prinivil may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.


• Lab tests, including blood pressure, blood electrolyte levels, heart function, or kidney or liver function, may be performed while you use Prinivil. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Prinivil with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Prinivil should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 6 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING: Prinivil may cause birth defects or fetal death if you take it while you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if Prinivil is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Prinivil.

Possible side effects of Prinivil:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Cough; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; tiredness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing or swallowing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the hands, eyes, mouth, face, lips, or tongue; hoarseness); chest pain; decreased urination; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; shortness of breath; stomach pain (with or without nausea or vomiting); symptoms of infection (eg, fever, chills, persistent sore throat); symptoms of liver problems (eg, dark urine, loss of appetite, pale stools, yellowing of the skin or eyes); symptoms of low blood pressure (eg, fainting, severe dizziness, light-headedness).

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Prinivil side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; severe dizziness or light-headedness.

Proper storage of Prinivil:

Store Prinivil at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Do not freeze. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Prinivil out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Prinivil, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Prinivil is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Prinivil. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Prinivil resources

• Prinivil Side Effects (in more detail)
• Prinivil Dosage
• Prinivil Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Prinivil Drug Interactions
• Prinivil Support Group
• 6 Reviews for Prinivil - Add your own review/rating

• Prinivil Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Prinivil Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Prinivil Consumer Overview


• Lisinopril Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Lisinopril Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Lisinopril


• Lisinopril Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Zestril Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Zestril Consumer Overview

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