Zestril
Lisinopril
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Zestril
Zestril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor medicine, used for treating hypertension. It acts by relaxing blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure and helps the heart to pump blood more easily.
Therapeutic Uses of Zestril
Zestril is used for treatment of high blood pressure alone or with other anti hypertensive medicines. It is used along with other medicines to manage heart failure (congestive cardiac failure or CCF) and to improve survival after a heart attack. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Direction of use of Zestril
Use Zestril as per direction of your doctor. Read the label on the medicine carefully for exact dosing instructions. Zestril is taken by mouth and it can be taken on full stomach or on empty stomach. Never take double dose of this medicine for the risk of side effects.
If You Miss a Dose of Zestril
If you miss a dose of Zestril and you are using it regularly, you should take it as soon as you can remember the missed dose. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, you should skip the missed dose of Zestril. Do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your health care provider. Do not use 2 doses at a time.
How to Store Zestril
Zestril should be stored at room temperature away from moisture, heat and sunlight. Keep out of the reach of children. Do not store it in your bathroom.
More Information About Zestril
Zestril is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people. Do not use Zestril for other medical conditions without asking your doctor. If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor. If you have any question about Zestril, you should ask your doctor or other health care provider.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Zestril
Do not use Zestril if you have any of the following medical conditions and get immediate medical attention:
- If you are allergic to any of the ingredients used in the manufacture of this medicine.
- If you are woman and in your second or third trimester of pregnancy.
- If the patient is a child with severe kidney problems.
- If 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 another ACE inhibitor.
Important notes on Zestril:
- Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks that need constant attention and monitoring like operating heavy machinery, until you know how you react to it.
- Zestril may cause serious side effects like angioedema. Consult your doctor at once if you develop any symptoms of angioedema like swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness of voice.
- Zestril may not work as well in black patients due to some genetic difference and blacks may also be at greater risk of developing angioedema. Contact your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, especially if you develop any symptoms of angioedema.
- Dehydration, excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea may increase the risk of low blood pressure (hypotension). Consult your doctor or other health care provider at once if any of these occur to you.
- Zestril may rarely lower immunity (the ability of your body to fight infection). This risk may be greater if you have certain other health problems like kidney problems, collagen vascular disease. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills etc.
- Inform your doctor or dentist that you are on Zestril before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure including Zestril, often feel tired or run down at the beginning of treatment for few weeks. Be sure to keep taking your medicine even if you may not feel normal. Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
- If you have high blood pressure, you should not use nonprescription products (over the counter medicines or any herbal preparations) that contain stimulants. These products may include diet pills or cold medicines. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
- In diabetes patients Zestril may affect your blood sugar level. Check blood sugar levels regularly. Ask your doctor before if you need to change the dose of your diabetes medicine while you are on Zestril.
- Zestril should be used with caution in the elderly as they may be more sensitive to its effects (side effects).
- Lab tests, including blood pressure (regular checking needed), blood electrolyte levels, heart function, or kidney or liver function, may be performed while you use Zestril. These tests may be used to monitor your health condition or check for side effects. Keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Pregnancy and brest-feeding: Zestril should not be used during pregnancy, as Zestril may cause birth defects or even fetal death if you take it while you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away to discuss the benefits and risks of using it during pregnancy and to confirm/exclude pregnancy. It is not known if Zestril is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Zestril.
Possible Adverse Effects of Zestril
- Common and mild side effects of Zestril are cough, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, nausea, tiredness etc. If any of these common and mils side effects become persistent and bothersome to you, consult your doctor.
- Seek medical attention right away if any of the severe and uncommon side effects of Zestril occur while taking it. The severe and uncommon side effects of Zestril are severe allergic reaction (the manifestations of severe allergic reaction are skin rash, hives, itching, breathing difficulty, tightness in the chest; swelling of the hands, eyes, mouth, face, lips, or tongue; hoarseness of voice etc.); chest pain, difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia), dark urine, less production of urine, infection (signs of infection are fever, chills, persistent sore throat etc.); irregular or slow heartbeat; stomach pain with or without nausea or vomiting; symptoms of low blood pressure (the symptoms are fainting, severe dizziness, lightheadedness etc.); yellowing of the skin or eyes.