Zestril may cause injury or death to the fetus if taken after the third month of pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away.

Zestril is used for:

Treating high blood pressure alone or with other medicines. Zestril 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.

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

Do NOT use Lisinopril if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Lisinopril
• 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 in your second or third trimester of pregnancy
• the patient is a CHILD with severe kidney problems

Before using Lisinopril :

Some medical conditions may interact with Lisinopril . 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, kidney problems, or diabetes
• 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 are on dialysis or are scheduled to have major surgery

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

• Diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide) because the risk of low blood pressure may be increased
• Aldosterone blockers (eg, eplerenone), potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone, triamterene), or potassium supplements because the risk of high blood potassium levels may be increased
• Insulin, sulfonylureas (eg, glipizide), or other oral diabetes medicines (eg, metformin) because the risk of low blood sugar may be increased
• Gold-containing medicines (eg, auranofin) because flushing, nausea, vomiting, and low blood pressure may occur
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen, indomethacin, celecoxib) or salicylates (eg, aspirin) because they may decrease Lisinopril ‘s effectiveness
• Lithium or thiopurines (eg, azathioprine) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Lisinopril

How to use Lisinopril :

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

• Take Lisinopril by mouth with or without food.
• If you miss a dose of Lisinopril , 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.

Important safety information:

• Lisinopril may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Lisinopril with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Lisinopril may cause a serious side effect called angioedema. Contact your doctor at once if you develop swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness.
• Lisinopril may not work as well in black patients. They may also be at greater risk of side effects. Contact your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse.
• 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.
• Rarely, Lisinopril 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 Lisinopril 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- Lisinopril 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 Lisinopril . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Lisinopril with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Lisinopril should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 6 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING: Lisinopril 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 Lisinopril is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Lisinopril .

Possible side effects of Lisinopril :

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; tightness in the chest; swelling of the hands, eyes, mouth, face, lips, or tongue; hoarseness); chest pain; dark urine; decreased urination; difficulty swallowing; infection (eg, fever, chills, persistent sore throat); irregular or slow heartbeat; stomach pain (with or without nausea or vomiting); symptoms of low blood pressure (eg, fainting, severe dizziness, lightheadedness); yellowing of the skin or eyes.