Lisinopril - an ACE inhibitor

Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme and is used in the treatment of congestive heart failure and hypertension. The drug also helps improve the chances of a patient surviving a heart attack.

Pregnant women and those who have plans to becoming pregnant must consult their doctor before using this medication. This is because there is a possibility that this medication can affect the unborn baby. If a woman happens to become pregnant when they are using this medication, she must immediately inform here doctor about her pregnancy.

One should avoid taking alcohol when they are taking this medication as it lower the blood pressure of the patient. The side effects of this lisinopril can increase with the consumption of alcohol. Patients should take either potassium supplements or salt substitutes only if the doctor prescribes it when they are taking this medication.

If the patient suffers from vomiting, diarrhea or heavy sweating, they end up dehydrating themselves. This dehydration will lower their blood pressure dangerously. There is a possibility that the patient can suffer from electrolyte disorder and kidney failure while taking this medication. The best way of preventing this is for the patient to consume lots of water on a daily basis.

In case the patient has lisinopril allergy they should not consume the drug. Patients who suffer from connective tissue diseases including Marfan syndrome, sjogren’s syndrome, lupus, scleroderma, kidney disease, diabetes, liver disease have to inform their doctor before they are prescribed this medication.

The drug has several side effects which include drowsiness, nausea, headaches, sexual dysfunction, anxiety, insomnia, and nasal congestion. The patient must inform their doctor immediately if the suffer from allergic symptoms such as swelling in the following places that is face, lip, tongue, and throat. It is also known that the drug can impair kidney functioning. Patients must regularly check their kidney functioning if they are taking this medication. On rare occasions this drug is known to cause red blood cell, platelets, and white blood cell count to reduce.